Missouri State University-West Plains recognizes the importance of its campuses as locations for the advertisement of events, products, and services. In order to balance the interests of the university in maintaining a campus environment that is aesthetically pleasing, free from rampant commercial activity, and consistent with the university’s public affairs mission, the university has established this policy detailing the permissible nature in which advertising, sales, solicitations, and facilities may be used for commercial purposes.
Note: This policy does not apply to non-commercial expressive activity, which is instead subject to WPG 5.02 Expressive Activity Policy.
- Advertising on campus or through university owned and controlled distribution
For the purpose of this policy, advertising is defined as the dissemination of commercial informational or promotional materials regardless of the medium or method . The University retains the exclusive right for promotion of University activities through advertisement and endorsement by commercial enterprises and products. The university reserves the right to prohibit or remove advertising from campus which violates university policy or the procedures adopted pursuant to this policy. Advertisements on campus or in University publications and activity programs does not imply official endorsement by Missouri State University-West Plains.
- Physical advertisements
The tangible display of advertisements within university facilities or affixed to university structures shall be done in a manner consistent with this policy and the procedures set forth herein. Administrative Operations will coordinate with university facilities that contain bulletin boards designated for the dissemination of information to adopt procedures for the posting of material to such bulletin boards. Such procedures will be content neutral and will be limited to a time, place and manner regulation consistent with university policy and applicable law.
- Bulletin boards
Designated bulletin boards are the primary means for displaying printed material on campus. Bulletin boards in University buildings are intended for notices and other materials related to the programs and goals of the University. With the exception of Hass-Darr Hall, commercial advertisements and publicity may not be displayed on bulletin boards. Only University departments and recognized student organizations are authorized to post materials on bulletin boards in University buildings other than in Hass-Darr Hall.
Procedures
- Posted materials are usually limited to a maximum size of 11x17 (exceptions to this
limitation must be specifically requested) and must include the name of the responsible
organization and a visible expiration date.
- Posting materials in locations other than designated bulletin boards is not permissible, with two exceptions. During student elections and Homecoming activities, posting may include posters on stakes and banners in designated locations. Violations for improperly posting materials will subject the sponsoring organization, individual, or department to the costs of removal, repair of damages (if any) and/or disciplinary action through the University Judicial System.
- Outdated materials are to be removed by the sponsoring organization. Sponsoring organizations that fail to remove their outdated items may be denied use of those bulletin boards in the future. Academic departments and administrative offices have the right to remove outdated material without contacting the sponsoring organization.
- Individuals or organizations not affiliated with the University must bring posting materials to the office of student life and development in Hass-Darr Hall.
- Materials posted in the Residence Hall must be approved by the director of student life and development.
Violations
Items posted in violation of this policy will be removed, and the sponsoring organization may be subject to disciplinary action and/or a monetary fine.
- Sidewalk chalking
Chalk advertisements by members of the university community are permitted on concrete horizontal sidewalk surfaces only; in areas that can be naturally washed by rain; and are not permitted under building overhangs, on building surfaces, curbs, steps, brick surfaces, planters, benches, or similar locations. Only washable sidewalk chalk may be used. The university reserves the right to wash off any and all chalk advertisements and messages within six (6) hours of any event held.
3. Electronic advertisements
The electronic dissemination of advertisements through the university’s electronic resources (e.g. email system, network or other information services infrastructure), shall be done in a manner consistent with this policy and the procedures set forth herein.
- Use of the mainframe computer, web pages or electronic mail resources for paid consulting, for business purposes or for political gain is prohibited.
- Electronic “mass mailings” or the sending of large files through the university’s network for commercial purposes is not permitted.
For additional information regarding the university’s computers and networks, please read the Computer and Information Services Policies.
Non-university businesses, agencies and individuals may advertise their products or events on campus through paid advertisements in many athletic publications or activities. Inquiries should be made directly with the personnel responsible for those publications.
All advertisements must be otherwise consistent with university policy.
4. Commercial sales and solicitations
Except as set forth in this policy, the University prohibits all direct sales, solicitations, and distribution of commercial sales and solicitation materials in university facilities, or on university owned and/or controlled property, as well as all uses of the university for the commercial or promotional purpose of an independent third-party.
As used in this document, solicitation means the 1) attempted sale, lease, rental or offer for sale, lease or rental of any property, product, merchandise, publication, membership, or service, whether for immediate or future delivery; an oral statement, electronic communication or the distribution of printed material, merchandise, publication or service; 2) the request for any gift or contribution; or 3) the distribution of information in support of activities (1) and (2).
As used in this policy, sales means the transfer by any person of tangible goods to a purchaser for use or consumption for the exchange of payment or the promise of payment (including in-kind payment).
Except as provided below, all individuals engaged in business for any product, service, or location whatsoever are prohibited from soliciting members of the faculty, staff or student body in any premises owned or controlled by the university, or by any electronic means, except as provided herein.
Hass-Darr Hall, Carol Silvey Student Union, provides for limited space for sales and solicitation; however, such space must be reserved through student life and development, 417-255-7233.
Events otherwise approved according to the university’s policies that commonly sell merchandise, such as approved fundraising activities and camps/conferences may be permitted to do so if approved according to an underlying contract or other arrangements for the event.
- No prohibition for registered student organizations and university departments.
The university’s prohibition on solicitation does not apply to registered student organizations, university organizations, and university departments that want to conduct solicitation activities on campus must comply with the procedures outlined in this document. Solicitation activities on behalf of registered student organizations, university organizations, and university departments are acceptable so long as the solicitation activities: Do not violate or conflict with university policies or local, state, or federal law
- Do not conflict with the educational purposes of the University
- Do not negatively impact other University development activities
- Do not infringe upon the University’s trademark or other intellectual property rights
- Do not disrupt traffic, either vehicular or pedestrian
- Do not result in a breach of University contracts or compete with University or University-contracted operations
- Do not jeopardize public or individual safety
- Are approved by the Food Services Director if food products are under consideration
- Are facilitated in an approved, designated location
- Are conducted by members of the sponsoring organization
- Are conducted as a fundraiser and not a commercial activity
- Are covered by such insurance as may be deemed necessary
- Are related to official University business if facilitated through telephone or electronic communication systems; other solicitations through the University telephone or computer/electronic systems are prohibited
- Are through paid United States Postal Service and delivered to the University, if by mail; or as permitted by the campus mail system.
B. Limited commercial solicitations with non-university commercial entities
Registered student organizations, university organizations, and university departments may, pursuant to a written agreement, partner with a non-university commercial entity to engage in product, promotion, advertisement, and engagement on the university campus. Such action must be consistent with this policy and cannot include any direct sales on behalf of the third-party entity.
Prior to any activity described in this section, an appropriate administrator must approve the proposed solicitation activity in writing. The appropriate administrator will vary based on the particular organization submitting the request. The appropriate administrator for a registered student organization is the faculty/staff advisor for that organization and the director of student life and development. The appropriate administrator for a non-academic university department/organization is the administrator responsible for the department / organization, or designee. The appropriate administrator for an academic department is the dean of the department, or designee.
If the non-university commercial entity in which the university student organization, university organization, or university department wants to partner with directly competes with a university commercial enterprise, or an enterprise with which the university has entered into a contractual arrangement then an additional level of approval is required. In such case, the associate vice chancellor for university communications and the vice chancellor for student services must both approve prior to the proposed activity. For purposes of this policy, a university commercial enterprise includes, without limitation, the following activities: student housing; campus food services; textbook sales; and university licensed apparel.
C. Charitable organizations
The university retains the exclusive right to determine the appropriateness of allowing a charitable solicitation on a case-by-case basis. Inquiries for charitable solicitations can be made through the office of university advancement (417-255-7240). The office of university advancement will then collaborate with the appropriate administrator related to the proposed charitable solicitation. The University acknowledges the appropriateness of solicitations, such as the support of the annual solicitation by the United Way, sponsored by the chancellor’s office and the blood drives on campus, sponsored by officially registered and recognized student organizations and student services; and Denim Day sponsored by the staff senate.
5. Facilities usage
Arrangements for the use of university facilities, including both buildings and grounds consistent with this and other university policies, must be made in advance through the office of registration and records, (417) 255-7979.
Line of Authority
Responsible administrator and office: Vice Chancellor of Student Services
Contact person in that office: Director of Student Life and Development
Effective Date
Chancellor Approval: March 18, 2026