Sign Policy

Rationale

The Community College of Rhode Island’s sign policy establishes standards for all interior signs on all campuses. It provides guidance about the placement and location of directional signs, event signs, departmental signs and student signs as well as provisions for their approval and removal. This policy is designed to recognize the needs of the college’s distinct campuses while promoting an uncluttered and more attractive environment.

Scope

This policy applies to temporary signs and other displays on the Community College of Rhode Island campuses. For the most part, such signs will be event-related. It does not apply to college signs produced and installed by the college or college subcontractors and intended for display on a continuing basis, such as:

• Exterior building names
• Traffic signs
• Official college identity signs or banners
• Building directories or maps
• Room identifiers
• Classroom emergency procedure placards/signs
• No-smoking signs
• Out of order signs

Also, this policy does not apply to non-public areas of the campus, such as individual administration, faculty or student club offices, or to personal effects, such as clothing.

Statement of policy

Public areas. CCRI’s sign policy addresses temporary signs and displays within public areas inside campus buildings.

1. 1. Signs and displays may be posted only on designated bulletin boards, except where otherwise noted within this policy.
   2. The attachment of signs or similar displays to any interior space not specifically permitted for such use is prohibited. This will prevent damage to public property and unnecessary cleanup or replacement costs, and will help to prevent potential health and safety hazards. Signs or similar displays may not be attached to:
      • Glass/windows (except when required by law and/or with special permission for critical information, i.e., college closing; also see Section B.)
      • Walls (painted, concrete or otherwise)
      • Doors (except with special permission for critical information, i.e., college closing)
      • Stairways, stairwells, railings and steps
      • Columns or pillars
      • Stainless steel surfaces
      • Elevators (both inside and out)
      • Permanent campus signs
      • Furniture
      • Trash or recycling receptacles
      • Light fixtures
      • Ceilings
      • Floors
   3. The unauthorized painting or defacing of any interior college-maintained surface or structure is prohibited.
   4. Signs and similar displays shall not be installed so as to block the visibility of any existing sign or display. Posting over other materials is not allowed and may be subject to immediate removal.
   5. Signs and similar displays inside campus buildings shall not be larger than 11 inches by 17 inches.
   6. No sign or similar display shall be installed in such a way as to constitute a health or safety hazard or that is in violation of the fire safety code.
   7. One sign per event will be permitted per bulletin board. Multiple postings in one location are both wasteful and inconsiderate of other organizations and may be subject to immediate removal.
   8. The total allowable number of signs posted for any event is limited only by the total number of bulletin boards on a campus, except for the community bulletin board (See Section E.)
   9. All signs except student signs should adhere to the college’s graphic standards. Graphic standards specify the use of the correct college logo and fonts that help to create a unified family look. CCRI’s graphic standards are available on the college website at http://ccri.edu/marketing/graphicstandards for the college community to use.
   10. Signs, except student signs, that do not adhere to the college’s graphic standards may be subject to immediate removal.

Faculty and administration areas. Faculty and administration offices and department areas are exempt from some of the restrictions in Section A.

1. 1. Signs and displays may be posted on glass and doors in these private areas.
   2. Individual departments are responsible for bulletin boards in their department areas and ensuring the material posted on them conforms to the provisions of this sign policy.

Timing. Event and activity signs and displays that are posted in public areas must have a defined start and end date.

1. 1. It is the sole responsibility of the individual/organization/department posting the signs to remove them by the stated end date.
   2. Failure to remove signs by the removal date will result in a warning.

Outside organizations. Outside organizations may seek to have commercial or public interest posting put up on college bulletin boards. Permission to do so shall be granted by the Dean of Students Office when the advertising is consistent with college goals or supported by a member of the college community with the following exceptions:

1. 1. In accordance with the college Alcohol Policy, no signs or displays posted may promote the sale or consumption of alcohol or drugs.
   2. No signs or displays may promote any organizations associated with adult entertainment if they contain obscene material and/or information that violates the college’s nondiscrimination policy.

Any outside organization wishing to post a sign or display in our campuses must receive a stamp of approval from the Dean of Students Office. Any signs posted without stamps will be removed.

Division of Workforce Partnerships. Because of the unique nature of CCRI Workforce and the courses and classes that it offers, measures have been considered to meet its needs.

1. 1. CCRI Workforce will be supplied its own, rolling bulletin boards for primary entrances/exits at each campus.
   2. CCRI Workforce will be solely responsible for its own posting and removal of signs and displays.
   3. CCRI Workforce will be responsible for taking out and putting away the rolling boards each day.

Student Government election signs. Because students have limited means to communicate with the general student body, certain exceptions will be made in regard to the general sign policy. During a period of three

(3) weeks prior to Student Government elections, candidates are not limited by the number of signs they are

allowed to post. Candidates may post signs in the following areas:

• One per bulletin board
• Columns or pillars
• Stairways and stairwells
• Stainless steel surfaces
• Internal windows
• Elevators (outside only)

All candidate signs must be removed within 48 hours of the close of the election. Failure to comply will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Directional signs. With events and programs comes the need to direct individuals to these events.

1. 1. Requests for directional signs should be made to Facilities at the campus where the event is taking place at least one week in advance of the event.
   2. Directional signs should be free standing, on easels or in sign holders. Bulletin boards also may be used.
   3. Directional signs should not be taped or attached to walls. The limitations listed in A.2 also apply to directional signs and displays.

1. Prohibitions. Any postings that are obscene and/or have discriminatory information that violates the college’s nondiscrimination policies are not allowed and will be removed immediately. The approved posting areas will not be used as personal message boards; they are solely for information that is intended to benefit the campus community as a whole. For the sake of maintaining a sense of community and support for all members, organizations are expected to refrain from using racial, gender or ethnic slurs, stereotypical depiction or similar references in all advertising material.
2. Violations. Violations of this policy may result in referral to the dean of students for discipline.

Note. Because of unique circumstances, the following specific venues are exempt from the Sign Policy: the Library, the Bookstore, conference rooms and any teaching classrooms.