Policy 8.08

Part 1. Policy Purpose

This policy defines Minneapolis College's position related to informational postings in and around college buildings and provides a systematic process that facilitates the posting of appropriate communications in appropriate areas.

This policy is also intended to inform employees, students, and members of the public/external entities of college guidelines and procedures for posting informational items that are designed to facilitate the achievement of institutional goals and objectives.

While the College recognizes that campus postings are an integral part of communication within the college community, it is also committed to ensuring clean, neat, and well-maintained facilities and preventing damage to college property. Therefore, no materials are to be posted on walls, skyway wall space, doors, glass, windows, columns, stairwells, railings, bathroom stalls, or any other permanent structure of college property, except for designated bulletin boards or posting boards. Sidewalk “chalking” is acceptable only if it is approved by Student Life beforehand. Any material posted on unapproved spaces shall be immediately removed by Public Safety or other designees.

Minneapolis College prohibits postings with content that misinforms, provides false information, misrepresents an individual or group, or claims or implies an affiliation that does not exist (such as a posting that implies affiliation with Minneapolis College or the Minnesota State System when no such affiliation exists).

Part 2. Definitions

The following definitions apply to this policy:

Member of the Public: An individual who has no direct connection with Minneapolis College. For instance, someone who is not an employee, student, or administrator at the College.

Posting: The act of displaying or placing a public announcement or notice, such as a flyer, bulletin, notice, or other similar communication.

Temporary Notice: An announcement or notification posted for a business or logistical purpose of the college due to unexpected or unplanned situations. Examples of this are if a class session is canceled or a college office is unexpectedly closed for a brief period.

Part 3. Types of Postings

The College allows the following types of postings within its buildings per this policy and any other college or Minnesota State policies and local, state, or federal laws:

Bulletin boards on campus shall be marked as for official use or general use.

Subpart A. Faculty Discipline or Programs for Academic-Related Postings

Bulletin Boards shall be provided for Academic Departments and Programs for academic-related postings. Academic Department Bulletin Boards shall be located near the associated faculty office suite and shall be used to provide information relevant to the discipline and College. Only postings approved by the respective Academic Dean or designee are allowed on Academic Department bulletin boards. The Academic Dean or designee is responsible for the approval, placement, and removal of all materials on Academic Department Bulletin Boards.

Subpart B. Employee Postings

Employees may, in accordance with this policy, place postings on campus to provide relevant, college-related information to the college community and to publicize college-related events. Employees must obtain approval from the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications or designee before placing any posting on campus and must use appropriate bulletin boards, posting boards, or stanchions as determined by the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications or designee. The Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications or designee shall ensure that each posting is placed in an appropriate, designated space and meets the requirements for all college postings as outlined in Part 4 of this policy.

Subpart C. Student Postings

Students may, per this policy, place postings on campus to provide relevant, college-related information to the college community and to publicize college-related or student-sponsored events. Students must obtain approval from the Director of Student Life before placing any posting on campus and must use appropriate bulletin boards, posting boards, or stanchions as determined by the Director of Student Life. The Director of Student Life shall ensure that each posting is placed in an appropriate, designated space and meets the requirements for all college postings as outlined in Part 4 of this policy.

Subpart D. Members of the Public Postings

Members of the public must receive permission for postings or the distribution of materials from the Vice President of Marketing and Communications or designee before their materials may be posted/distributed. 

If approved, members of the public must follow all posting requirements and guidelines established by this policy, College Policy 1.10 Freedom of Expression on Campus, and College Policy 8.01 Facilities Use.

Members of the public may only post on “General Purpose” bulletin boards.

When distributing materials pre-approved by the College, members of the public must stay within the designated areas (such as those designated for public expression or reserved space), as defined in College Policy 1.10 Freedom of Expression on Campus and College Policy 8.01 Facilities Use. All other postings or distribution of materials from members of the public are prohibited.

Subpart E. General Information/Advertising

Employees, students, and members of the public may utilize designated general-purpose bulletin boards on campus. Such bulletin boards shall be identified as "General Purpose" bulletin boards and shall be available for advertising, information, and publicizing community events. Postings to “General Purpose” bulletin boards need relevant approval.

Refer to the Marketing and Communications SharePoint page for the relevant Standard Operating Instructions - Bulletin Boards for details on which bulletin boards are identified as “general purpose.”

Subpart F. Legally Required Postings

A bulletin board will be placed outside of Human Resources and will display legally required postings for the College. Each department will be responsible for posting their information and staying in compliance with Part 4 of this policy.

Subpart G. Bargaining Unit Postings

Bulletin Boards will be provided for each bargaining unit. The bargaining unit representative on campus will be responsible for posting the information on the bulletin board and for meeting the requirements for all college postings as outlined in Part 4 of this policy.

Subpart H. Temporary Notices

The College recognizes that to do business, employees occasionally must post temporary notices on office or classroom doors, indicating changes, class cancellations, or office closings. Such postings must be made in a neat and orderly fashion and must not be posted in a manner that damages college property. Temporary notices must be removed immediately after their purpose has been served.

Subpart I. College Partner Posting

College partners with physical space on campus should keep their specific postings within their respective areas. If a college partner wants to post outside of their area, they must get approval from the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications and follow all posting requirements established in this policy.

Part 4. Requirements for Posting

While the College recognizes that campus postings are an integral part of communication within the College community, it is also committed to ensuring safe, clean, and well-maintained facilities and preventing damage to college property.

All postings are required to conform to the following requirements:

1. All postings, except Temporary Notices, must be approved (signed, stamped, and dated) by the individual or department with responsibility as set forth in Part 3.
2. Postings must include the name of the sponsoring organization, department, and responsible individual with relevant contact information.
   • Relevant contact information for causes, organizations, candidates, affiliations, etc. that are not employees, students, or departments or committees of the College must include the contact information of the individual requesting to post as well as the contact information of the cause, organization, candidate, affiliation, etc. of which the posting is being made.
3. Postings must be placed on designated bulletin boards or areas relevant to that type of posting, posting boards, or stanchions as provided by the individual or department with responsibility as set forth in Part 3.
4. No materials are to be posted on walls, skyway wall space, doors, glass, windows, columns, stairwells, railings, bathroom stalls, elevators, or any other permanent structure of the College. Any material posted on these structures shall be immediately removed by the College.
5. Materials must not violate College policy or federal, state, or local laws.
6. Event-related materials may be posted one week in advance of the activity.
7. Posted items are to remain within the perimeter of the bulletin board.
8. Posted items shall be no larger than 8 ½ x 11 unless otherwise approved.
9. Posted items should not cover any other posted material.
10. Only one posting for the same event may be posted per board.

Part 5. Regulations for Posting Removal

1. Normally, all postings will be removed within 24 hours after the activity.
2. If directions are necessary to be temporarily posted to facilitate access/egress -- directions must be removed immediately afterward.
3. Information items not posted within the bulletin board perimeter will be removed by the Facilities staff, Administration, and/or Public Safety officers.
4. Informational items posted within the bulletin board perimeter without authorization will be removed by the Facilities staff, Administration, and/or Public Safety officers.

Part 6. Violation of Posting Policy

Violation of the posting policy may result in revocation of posting privileges or disciplinary action.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Finance and Operations and Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Date of Adoption: 8/24/2004

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A

Date Last Reviewed: 10/30/2024 (Comprehensive Review)

History and Subject of Revisions: 10/30/2024 (Comprehensive Review. Updated Purpose to call out prohibition to sidewalk “chalking” unless approved and to add clear prohibition to postings with false or misleading information. Added definitions section. Updated Posting section with new responsibility information for some types of postings. Added a subpart on postings from members of the public. Added provision regarding college partner posting. Updated requirements for postings including the required contact information of requestor and related organization (if relevant). 8/24/2004 (Adopted)

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law): N/A