Distribution Policies
Purpose: The RVC Distribution of Materials/Information and Posting Policy set forth the conditions under which written materials may be distributed and/or posted on campus.
Authority: 110ILCS 10/2 establishes that the administration of each institution of higher education in the state of Illinois “is responsible for maintaining decorum and order on the campus of that institution” and provides that each college may establish procedures for persons or organizations to exercise their right to free speech. Each college may reasonably confine/coordinate this activity to a specific location, time duration and manner of delivery so as not to interfere with normal college operation.
1. Approval for Distribution on Campus
a. RVC organizations: Any officially recognized RVC department or organization may distribute or post materials which pertain to the activities of the group at any authorized distribution center, bulletin board, or display area, and are subject to the restrictions defined in this policy.
b. Off-campus groups or individuals: Any off-campus group or individual wishing to distribute or post any type of materials on the RVC campus must obtain prior approval from the Director of Student Life & Intercultural Student Services and is subject to the restrictions as defined in this policy.
2. Distribution
a. There shall be no door-to-door distribution of free materials or sale or soliciting of products, services, or information by any persons on the RVC campuses.
b. The distribution of handbills, flyers, or other printed materials by placing them on any vehicle located on the college campus is prohibited.
c. Approval for distribution outside the confines of campus buildings by any group must be obtained from the Director of Student Life & Intercultural Student Services, and may not in any way impede the vehicular or pedestrian traffic on any RVC roadway, sidewalk, or impede access to or egress from any campus buildings or activities.
d. Written materials may be posted on bulletin boards on campus according the Bulletin Board Regulations and Posting Regulations.
e. Groups or individuals who wish to distribute written information or materials within the confines of campus buildings but not on campus bulletin boards must obtain prior approval from the Director of Student Life & Intercultural Student Services. Upon approval, information or materials may be distributed from prearranged tables. There shall be no distribution of information or
materials by standing in hallways or doorways on the campus.
3. Posting
a. There shall be no posting of signs or written information on the campus grounds except as permitted by RVC policies/procedures, or as approved by the Director of Student Life & Intercultural Student Services.
b. There shall be no posting of written materials on any permanent structure on the RVC campus. Permanent structures include, but are not limited to, concrete, and redwood on campus buildings.
c. Signs may not be posted on doors, windows, walls, vending machines, elevators or anything else on campus other than bulletin boards; with the occasional exception of select window locations upon approval.
d. Recognized RVC departments and organizations may post written materials on campus bulletin boards as permitted by the Bulletin Board Regulations and Posting Regulations.
4. Selling or Solicitation
a. There shall be no soliciting on any RVC campus.
b. There shall be no sales on any RVC campus by individuals or groups solely for their own gain.
c. Recognized RVC departments or organizations may offer commercial products, printed information, or services for sale on campus only in support of the activities and programs of the recognized group. The name of the sponsoring college group must be clearly marked on the product or the location where the sale takes place.
d. The sale of commercial products on the RVC campus is prohibited except as described in Section IV-C of this policy. The college may elect to rent space to an individual or organization from outside the campus community when the products or services for sale fulfill an essential need not presently met by the college.
e. Recognized RVC departments or organizations may sponsor programs for donations for charitable or non-profit groups. Student Clubs and Organizations must receive prior approval from the Director of Student Life & Intercultural Student Services, or their designee. The name of the sponsor and the purpose of the donation must be clearly posted at the point of solicitation.
f. Off-campus individuals or groups may solicit for donations for charitable or non-profit groups when such solicitation is sponsored by a recognized college organization, in which case Section 4-E of this policy must be followed.
5. Refusal of Permission to Distribute or Sell
RVC reserves the right to refuse permission to any individual or group for distribution, sale, or solicitation at any time that:
a. Normal college activities would be impeded or disrupted.
b. The procedures of this policy are not followed.
c. Special or emergency circumstances exist on the college campus which would make distribution inappropriate.