This policy addresses all spaces operated by UMSI for faculty, staff and students: Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building, UMSI Central and The Collegian. Learn more about the U-M Guidelines for posting on the exterior of buildings and university grounds.
General Principle
As a public university, the University of Michigan recognizes and respects that members of the campus community may set forth their views and opinions at the university, which includes speech on posters or flyers posted where they are allowed. Rude or offensive behavior, though inconsistent with the standards of civility that we hope would prevail on a university campus, sometimes falls within the legitimate exercise of freedom of speech and, when it does, may not be suppressed. Thus, UMSI will not remove flyers posted in an allowed space because they include speech that some may find pernicious, false, or in any other way detestable. This commitment to free expression does not extend to speech or conduct that violates the law or university policy, including targeted speech that involves bullying, defamation, destruction of property, harassment, or threats. Please see the U-M Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression SPG 601 policy.
Building exterior
U-M Guidelines for Posting Flyers, Posters, and Other Related Items on University Property provide guidelines for placement of flyers, posters, etc. This guidance applies to the exteriors of buildings, to architecture that shares exterior and interior building features (such as entry doors to the building or exterior facing windows), and to the university grounds. These guidelines do not apply to the interior of buildings.
Building interior: public spaces
Posting in the interior public spaces within the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building is limited to the following designated areas:
Bulletin boards designated for community use
Various public bulletin boards throughout UMSI spaces have been designated for public use. Officially recognized UMSI or U-M student organizations, as well as UMSI or U-M staff, faculty or students may place posters and advertisements on any public bulletin board within UMSI spaces that are designated UMSI “public posting” boards.
All postings must list the name of the sponsoring organization, contact information (such as a group or contact person’s email address,) and posted or event date. Posters that do not include identifying information will be removed.
No posting may exceed 11 inches by 17 inches in size. Posters are limited to one per bulletin board. Posters must be affixed to bulletin boards with thumbtacks or push pins only. Staples, nails, or other metal fasteners are not allowed. Posters must be placed so they do not block or otherwise interfere with adjacent posters. Posting must not exceed two weeks. Do not affix stickers of any kind to any surface in the building.
Anything posted on walls (including erasable walls/whiteboard walls), doors, windows or any other non-approved posting location in public spaces may be removed without notice.
Anything laid out on tables or surfaces will also be removed unless the surface is explicitly designated otherwise.
Undated or outdated posters will be removed from the bulletin boards. Event-based (i.e. time- and /or date-based) flyers and posters or similar items will be removed after the date of the event has passed.
Bulletin Boards for Research and Administrative Use Only
Please note that there are some bulletin boards that are not designated for public use in the building. Individuals and organizations are asked to refrain from placing posters on any board designated solely for administrative announcements or research outputs.
Postings added to bulletin boards or sign holders that are not marked as “public posting” boards will be removed. Undated or outdated materials will be removed.
UMSI and Leinweber “Public Posting” Bulletin Boards
- UMSI’s Kenlee Ray and Susan Quackenbush Student Lounge
- Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building’s shared spaces on all floors
- The Collegian Building, 5th floor by the elevator
- UMSI Central, by the elevator on the 2nd floor and in the Great Room
UMSI Bulletin Boards for Research and Administrative Use Only
- Leinweber within the UMSI-only spaces
Building interior: individual offices
Approved posting surfaces are office doors, office windows (the interior-facing displays posted on exterior windows and interior-facing windows), office approved posting surfaces such as bulletin boards.
Flyers, posters, and similar items must be posted with consideration to the General Principle section above. Individual office space is up to the individual to manage. Complaints or concerns about things posted in the individual office space can be sent by submitting a Jira ticket or by emailing the Associate Dean for faculty ([email protected]) or Human Resources ([email protected]) as seems appropriate. Efforts will be made to find an agreeable solution that does not violate the General Principle.
Please use blue painter’s tape on the surfaces to protect the glass, walls, and doors. If you do not have blue painter’s tape or if that will not work for your particular situation, please reach out to Facilities by submitting a Jira ticket. Do not affix stickers of any kind to any surface in the building. Stickers or appliques explicitly designed to be temporary wall decorations (such as the gel-like window stickers for seasonal decorations) can be affixed to window surfaces only.
Building interior: shared office spaces
In shared offices, the desk and vertical spaces above and below the desk are considered the individual’s office space unless the desk is shared. All other surfaces (e.g. office door, windows, bulletin boards and walls) in a shared office are considered shared office space.
In shared office space, including shared desk arrangements, the management and responsibilities are first and foremost those of the members of that shared space. UMSI’s core values of respect should inform how occupants determine norms in shared spaces. Complaints or concerns about things posted in shared office space can be sent by submitting a Jira ticket. Efforts will be made to find an agreeable solution that does not violate the General Principle section above.
Questions or concerns?
You can reach out to share any concerns or questions to UMSI HR or UMSI Community Culture and Care or to facilities.