Registered Student Organizations use a variety of ways to get the word out about organization meetings and events. If your organization would like to put up posters on campus, chalk announcements on campus, or hand out leaflets to students, please see below for pointers and policies.
Sections M (Posting) & N (Chalking) of the UW Policy 6013 govern the sections below.
Posting
Posting on campus is limited to general bulletin boards and kiosks. In campus buildings, the posting of fliers and posters is only allowed on bulletin boards. In most cases departmental bulletin boards are maintained and regulated by individuals in the department’s main office or sometimes the caretaker of the bulletin board is listed on the bulletin board itself. In “general use” buildings (Memorial Union, etc.), consult regulations posted on the board or contact the public service information desk. Ask about approval to post in various buildings.
DO NOT post fliers or signs on the following:
- Telephone poles
- Light poles
- Garbage cans
- Sidewalks
- Stairs/steps
- Fences
- Trees
- Buildings
- Bascom Hill (without a reservation, UW Policy 6000 G-2)
Posting of fliers or signs in any of the places listed above is a violation of UWS Administrative Code 18.08(9)(a).
Please note that Library Mall is partially controlled by the City of Madison and partially controlled by the University. In the portions of Library Mall controlled by the City of Madison, posting fliers or signs in any of the places listed above is also likely a violation of Madison Ordinance 23.02 and carries a fine of at least $68.75 per occurrence. This ordinance applies only to City controlled property. DO NOT destroy or deface other organizations’ flyers, posters, and/or signs.
University Housing Posting
Current University Housing posting policies, procedures, and regulations.
Any posters found that have not gone through the approval process may be denied future approvals. Any organization with posters found in the halls that have not gone through the approval process may be denied future poster approval. Contact Desk Services at deskservices@housing.wisc.edu with any other questions.
Chalking
DO NOT chalk on the following:
- University buildings
- Courtyard areas
- Vertical surfaces
- Arch of bridge walkways
- Planters
- Doors
- Trash Receptacles or Light poles
- Steps, Fountains or Benches
- Lakeshore Path
- Underneath any overhang
RSOs who choose to chalk notices on sidewalks or streets should cooperate promptly with any University or Madison Police requests for identification and information about the chalking activity. Chalking (an act of writing or drawing messages using chalk) is illegal by law. The UW Administrative Code 18.08(9)(a) and Wisconsin State Statute 943.01 prohibit this activity. However, some chalking is allowed by the UW Police, UW Physical Department and the Dean of Students if the above restrictions are met and followed.
Additional Chalking Restrictions:
- You can only use water-soluble chalk. Oil-based and aerosol chalk will not come off over time of its own accord, nor through daily exposure to the elements; water-based will. Water-based chalk rubs off or smears when you wipe your finger over it.
- Chalk is only allowed on University sidewalks and University streets.
- Chalk is typically cleaned from sidewalks on Tuesdays (with the exception of Election Day, in which it is delayed).
- Chalking can not be done on vertical surfaces, or under overhangs or coverings. Marking on a vertical surface or under an overhang requires additional physical effort to remove it. RSOs may be fined if Physical Plant has to remove any chalking on vertical surfaces, under overhangs, or if water-soluble chalk was not used.
Leafletting
Leafleting is the process of distributing information in the form of a small (typically ¼ of a page) flier. If you wish to leaflet, you can ask permission from the building manager to distribute materials in the lobby of academic buildings.
DO NOT leaflet in campus classrooms of academic buildings. This activity is a violation of university policies and guidelines; student organizations may be subject to sanctioning under the Policy and Conduct of Registered Student Organizations as a violation of the Student Organization Code of Conduct.