Posting, Canvassing and Soliciting in the Residential Areas

Policy Statement

The following policies apply to posting, canvassing, and solicitation on the grounds and within the residence hall and apartment facilities managed by the Department of Residential Life. In an effort to create an atmosphere conducive to academic pursuits, to preserve University property, to maintain an inclusive and aesthetically pleasing environment, and to protect the privacy of students, the activities of canvassing, posting, and solicitation are permitted in the Storrs Campus Residence Halls and Apartments only as noted below.

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Posting Policy

Posting is defined as public display of any informational or promotional materials.¹ Residential Life has designated suitable space in the residential areas for the purpose of providing a place for groups and organizations to market their activities, events, information, programs, and services.

• Recognized student organizations and candidates for student government offices wishing to post materials in the residential areas must see the appropriate Complex Coordinators and provide them with a copy of the posting for approval. The posted material must clearly identify the name of the sponsor or student organization, date(s) of the event, and contact information. Copies to post must be received at least seven working days prior to the event. All materials will be posted by Residential Life staff. Complex Coordinator contact information is located at http://www.reslife.uconn.edu/contact_us_complexes.html.
• Residential Life will help University departments and faculty wishing to post materials in the residential areas. These materials must be submitted to the Director of Residence Education for approval at least seven working days before the date of the event. The posting materials must clearly identify the name of the sponsor, date(s) of the event, and contact information.
• Promotional materials may only be posted on bulletin boards or other designated areas approved by the Complex Coordinator or the Director of Residence Education.
• Posting is not permitted on the walls, windows, or doors in any residential area.
• Posting is not permitted on buildings, lampposts, blue lights or sidewalks surrounding the residence halls.
• Only one flyer per activity is allowed on a bulletin board or in a designated area and no posting may infringe upon another previously posted sign.
• Only tacks or staples (for bulletin boards) and masking tape (for other designated areas) may be used.
• Recommended sizes for flyers are 8.5” x 11”, 8.5” x 14” or 11” x 17”. Due to limited space, any posting material exceeding 11” x 17’’ will not be approved.
• Flyers with expired event dates will be removed. Signs posted for longer than four weeks may be removed.
• A distribution list outlining the residential areas may be obtained from the Residential Life Office located in the Wilbur Cross Building. Departments and organizations requesting permission to post materials must separate postings for distribution based on the list provided to ensure a timely delivery to the residential areas. All matters for posting not covered under this policy must be approved in advance by the Director of Residence Education (or a designee).
• Promotional materials will be removed and appropriate actions may be taken in the event that an individual or organization fails to adhere to the aforementioned policy guidelines. Residential Life reserves the right to not approve any posting due to space or time limitation, or inappropriate content.

Posting Outside of the Dining Hall

Recognized student organizations and candidates for student government offices wishing to post materials outside of the dining areas must contact Dining Services at 486-3128 to obtain more information on the procedures to follow.

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Canvassing Policy

Canvassing is defined as going door-to-door to directly communicate with resident students in an effort to persuade them in a campaign. The main promotional activity undertaken is typically to gain support of a student for some purpose, but not to solicit money for any purpose (campaigns, charity, and commercial alike). On the basis of this definition, door-to-door canvassing² is permitted in the residence halls as specified below.

• Any recognized student organization and candidates for any elected University position wishing to canvass in the residential areas must make arrangements with the Complex Coordinators to request access to the buildings and to submit information about their names and, if applicable, organizational affiliation, the estimated date and time of canvassing, and a copy of all materials being distributed to residents.
• Organizations and candidates will need to meet with the Complex Coordinator or the Director of Residence Education to obtain a canvassing pass at least seven working days prior to the desired canvassing date, so that materials can be reviewed and access to buildings can be arranged.
• The organization or individual(s) that obtain the canvassing pass must keep this document with them at all times while in the residential areas. If the document is not signed by the appropriate person, parties will be asked to leave the area.
• Canvassing materials to be distributed do not require approval of any agent of the University other than the officials of the canvasser’s own organization. However, such materials must adhere to the Responsibilities of Community Life: The Student Code and must contain the name of the sponsoring individual or organization.
• Canvassing materials must not solicit contributions, attempt to sell items, or advertise for purposes of sale.
• Canvassing materials may not be placed under any door within the residence halls or apartments as it is a fire hazard. In addition, due to the size of the residential community, distribution of canvassing materials to each door is not environmentally responsible.
• Canvassers must be aware that to intimidate, harass, abuse, or threaten another by means of use or threatened use of physical or nonphysical force is a violation of the Responsibilities of Community Life: The Student Code. Individuals who believe that they have been intimidated, harassed, abused, or threatened may file a complaint with their Community Assistant, Hall Director or Community Director, or UConn Police Department.
• Canvassers must refrain from littering and must obey the policies regarding quiet and courtesy hours.
• Canvassing activities shall be permitted daily between 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• Canvassers may not use amplifying devices or other techniques such as discussions in the hallways that might disturb the peace on the floor or in the hall.
• Canvassers must respect any form of contact refusal by a member(s) of the residential areas within which they are canvassing.
• Canvassers are required to carry their UConn identification card with them at all times.
• All canvassing not covered under this policy must be approved in advance by the Director of Residence Education (or a designee).
• Canvassers that do not adhere to the aforementioned policy guidelines will be asked to leave the residential areas and appropriate actions may be taken.

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Mailbox Policy

Recognized student organizations and candidates for student government offices wishing to distribute political literature in the Residence Halls’ and Apartments’ mailboxes must contact the Director of Residence Education at 486-3432 to obtain approval.

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Solicitation Policy

Solicitation is defined as going door-to-door to directly communicate with resident students in an effort to sell products or services or request contributions for the tangible or intangible benefit of individuals or groups.

• Door-to-door solicitation is prohibited with the exception of students approved by Residential Life based on the Canvassing Policy. No person or student representing any organization or company is permitted to offer any product or services for purchase in the residence halls and apartments.
• Students or student organizations wishing to raise donations for charity through social programs or other means may obtain permission from the appropriate Complex Coordinators to collect materials, not cash. Permitted donation items may include books, nonperishable food items, clothes, equipment, toys, utensils, etc.

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¹Posting materials may include, but are not limited to, banners, flyers, leaflets, notices, posters, or signs placed or affixed in public space for the purpose of advertising activities, programs or services.

²Canvassing activities may include, but are not limited to, registering voters, soliciting signatures on a petition, campaigning for candidates, contesting for recognized student organization offices, or distribution of leaflets or literature.

Updated August 2007

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