These policies are intended to promote the exchange of information and ideas within the university community. Consistent with Yale’s policies on free speech, these policies state reasonable time, place, and manner regulations that apply to postering, chalking, light projection and structures on Yale’s campus. Only university community members may engage in these activities in accordance with these policies, absent permission from the Yale administration. Yale College and the Graduate or professional schools may impose additional requirements.
Postering
The following rules apply to posters or similar items such as flags and banners (“posters”):
1. Location: Posters may be placed only on bulletin boards or other spaces that the university or a school has designated for posting. No posters may be placed on other campus spaces (for example, hung from windows, on the exterior of any buildings, on campus gates, or on or leaning against walls).
2. Format: Unless otherwise indicated in a school’s designated postering spaces, posters must conform to the following format requirements. Posters may not exceed 11 inches by 17 inches. Posters may not be affixed using any damaging materials (for example, glue, staples, or tape). Thumbtacks or pushpins should be used on bulletin boards but may not be used on any interior or exterior woodwork.
3. Content: Posters for an event must provide the name, date, time, and location of the event; the name of the sponsoring organization; and the email address or phone number of the organizers. For all posters, the person putting up the poster must clearly print their name and the date on the poster. Only one copy of a poster may be placed in the same designated space at any one time. Posters may not include content that is harassing, threatening, or that violates law or Yale policy.
4. Removal: Authorized staff typically remove all posters from bulletin boards and other designated spaces once a week. Staff also may remove posters that do not comply with this policy; no one else (other than the person who posted the poster) may remove, deface, obscure, or destroy existing posters.
Chalking
The following rules apply to chalk messages on Yale’s campus:
1. Location: Chalk may be used only on outdoor walkways that are open to the sky and the weather. Chalk may not be used indoors, on walls or other vertical surfaces, or on covered outdoor areas (e.g., under overhangs or archways).
2. Format: Chalk messages must use temporary materials (e.g. only water-soluble chalk may be used, not spray chalk) and may not exceed 4 feet by 4 feet. Additionally, not more than one chalk message associated with the same person or organization may be visible from any single point.
3. Content: Chalk messages may not include content that is harassing, threatening, or that violates law or Yale policy.
4. Removal: Authorized staff may remove chalking that does not comply with this policy, or after one week, or in the normal course of cleaning facilities and grounds.
Light Projection onto Buildings and Grounds
The projection of images or messages through light on the interiors or exteriors of Yale University buildings and walls, or on university grounds, requires advance written permission from the following people or their designees:
- The Heads of College for residential college spaces;
- The Deans of Yale College and the Deans of Graduate and Professional Schools for spaces under the jurisdiction of those schools; and
- The relevant unit head for other university spaces that are not under the authority of the above-mentioned people.
The projection of such images or messages by individuals and groups is prohibited on Cross Campus and Beinecke Plaza.
Structures
Unless otherwise permitted, no individual or group may erect or place any structure (for example, a wall, barrier, tent, sculpture, placard, artwork, or similar object) (“Structure”) on or in a university outdoor space. University staff, without advance notice, may remove any Structure that violates this policy.
Exceptions to this policy require advance written permission from the following people:
- The Heads of College for residential college spaces;
- The Deans of Yale College and the Deans of Graduate and Professional Schools for spaces under the jurisdiction of those schools;
- The Secretary and Vice President for University Life or her designee for Cross Campus or Hewitt Quadrangle (“Beinecke Plaza”); and
- The relevant unit head for other university outdoor spaces that are not under the authority of the above-mentioned people.
Please see the University Policy on the Use of Outdoor Space for additional policies specific to the use of outdoor space.