Guidelines for Facilities Use

Activity Planning

For guidance and rules, make sure you read the Policy for Use of Campus Facilities and Property by Recognized Student Organizations and Individuals. Here are a few key things to know:

1) All events are subject to university uses and to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.
2) No activity may impede normal operations, obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or create unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
3) Public speaking and verbal protests/demonstrations may occur only in outdoor university facilities.
4) Camping on university property is prohibited.
5) No individual may disrupt an invited or permitted speaker or hinder the ability of other attendees to see or hear a speaker.
6) Direct advertising, sales, and commercial solicitation by affiliated and unaffiliated persons are not permitted on university property or in university facilities.

Reserving Space

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) should contact Student Unions & Engagement for assistance with planning and/or scheduling your event. 

• RSOs are not permitted to schedule activities after the last day of classes through the end of the final exam period. 
• Individual students are only able to reserve spaces that are designed for individual use, such as study or practice rooms.

Flyer/Posting Policy

Read the Posting & Chalking On Campus policy to learn about W&M's posting policy. Here are some key points:

1) Flyers must clearly display the name of the posting sponsor.
2) Flyers must clearly display the date the flyer is posted.
3) Flyers may be posted only in designated public posting areas.
4) Only one flyer per public posting area for a single posting date.
5) Flyers must be removed at the end of two weeks.
6) NO posting on trees, poles, walls, doors, windows or fences. 

Chalking Policy

Read the Posting & Chalking On Campus policy to learn about W&M's chalking policy. Here are some key points:

1) Chalking is only permitted outdoors on flat, horizontal surfaces (pedestrian sidewalks/walkways) and must be fully exposed so that rain can wash the water-soluble material away naturally.
2) Chalking is not permitted on historic campus or any vertical surfaces (excluding the outdoor classroom at the ISC).
3) Chalking must be at least 30 feet away from the entrance to any building.
4) Chalking must reference sponsoring organization, event, or initiative.
5) Only water-soluble chalk or other water-soluble material may be used.

Noise Restrictions

RSOs and individuals, including unaffiliated persons, wishing to speak publicly or to distribute literature must comply with the amplified sound policy.  Here are some key points:

1) Amplification is subject to time, place, and manner restrictions. No activity or event shall be scheduled for an unsuitable location, taking into account considerations of size, accommodations, traffic, noise, time, relationship to nearby area and activities, and other relevant facts and circumstances.
2)  Amplification of sound outdoors must end by dusk unless specific written permission has been granted in advance through the appropriate scheduling authority.
3)  Amplified music/voices or other sounds originating from within facilities on campus are subject to the same scrutiny as those as outdoor events.

Disruptive Behavior

The Student Code of Conduct provides definitions and a range of consequences for disruptive behavior. Disruptive behavior includes acts that interfere with the living/learning environment in the classroom and residence halls spaces. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• blocking entrances, corridors, or exits;
• interfering with ongoing educational activities; cultural events; and/or recreational, extracurricular, or athletic programs;
• obstructing, disrupting, or attempting by physical force to cancel or discontinue speech by any speaker, or the obstruction of speech by any person intending to see or hear a speaker;
• unauthorized presence in a building after normal closing hours or after notice that the building is being closed;
• interfering with vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
• creating unsanitary conditions;
• interfering with any other effort to protect the health and safety of members of the university community or larger public.