Section 1000: Campus Policy

Effective: August 2003
Revised: April 2016; September 2024
Last Review: September 2024
Next Review: September 2026
Responsible Party: Director of Communications and Marketing

Policy

Montana State University-Northern recognizes the rights of all individuals to freedom of expression. This policy establishes procedures for the posting of advertising and all other types of printed matter on the campus of MSU-Northern. All printed material must conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

There are special restrictions applicable to the posting of materials in the residence halls. The Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Residential Education must pre-approve all items.

Violators of this policy may be required to remove the materials and/or be charged for the cost of removal, cleaning or damages.

There are three basic types of bulletin boards on campus:

Classroom Bulletin Boards

The use of bulletin boards within campus classrooms is at the discretion of the instructors using that classroom.

Official Bulletin Boards

Specifically marked for use by a University department or office.

No materials of any type may be posted on an official bulletin board without the permission of the department or office designee. The department or office designee will be responsible for posting appropriate materials and for removing outdated materials on a regular basis. Materials posted without departmental or office approval may be removed immediately and without notice to the sponsoring group or individual.

General Use Bulletin Boards

General Use bulletin boards are available for any member of the University community and the general public without prior approval. Contact information and either the event date or the posting date must be included on the posted item. All material must conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Building Coordinators will remove all outdated or non-dated materials. Non-event items will be removed after two weeks.

Building Contacts for Posting
  • Cowan Hall 1st Floor East Chief Information Officer
  • Cowan Hall 1st Floor West Dean of Learning Excellence and Sponsored Programs 
  • Cowan Hall 2nd Floor Center Registrar
  • Cowan Hall 3rd Floor East Dean of College of Arts, Sciences, and Education
  • Library Library Director
  • Gym Athletic Director
  • All Other Buildings Building Coordinator

Posting in Other Areas

  • No notice, sign, banner, advertisement or document of any kind may be attached to any wall, window, door, or other exterior surface other than General Use bulletin boards provided for such purpose unless approved by the building coordinator.
  • Handbills or other similar materials may not be placed or posted on vehicles on the University campus.
  • Similarly, no posting of any type of printed materials is permitted on trees, utility poles, sign posts, building exteriors or any other structure on the campus. Any materials which are posted in such areas will be removed.
  • Banners promoting a University event may be hung on buildings with the prior approval of the building coordinator.

The University does not assume any obligations or responsibility for the content of the materials distributed, nor does posting constitute any endorsement by the University.

General Posting Rules

When posting announcements on bulletin boards, the following rules must be followed:

  • No more than one poster or notice for the same event, item for sale, etc, may be placed on a bulletin board.
  • Do not place posters on top of other posters.
  • Posters may not be larger than 11 inches by 17 inches.
  • Posters may not extend beyond the border of the bulletin board.
  • Postings must include contact information and either the date of the event or the date the item was posted.

Items failing to comply with these rules will be removed.