Policy: Posting on ANU Campus

Purpose

This policy outlines the requirements for the use of posters, banners and other display materials on the Australian National University (ANU) campus.

Overview

The ANU is a diverse community made up of students and staff from a range of backgrounds and life experiences. We are committed to being a safe, respectful and inclusive community, and we value open and respectful debate. We are also committed to ethical stewardship of our beautiful campus environment, in partnership with the Traditional Owners of the land.

In line with these values and recognising the benefits that posters, banners, and other display materials can provide to the community, this policy outlines the requirements for their appropriate use on the ANU campus, while aiming to prevent unnecessary damage to our environment and facilities.

This policy aims to promote freedom of speech and freedom of expression by ensuring that campus users can share visual material around the ANU Campus, while maintaining a clean and welcoming physical environment.

Scope

The policy applies to all students, staff, commercial partners, affiliates of the ANU, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), and anyone else who might wish to post, display or advertise on or in any ANU campus or property.

Members of the general public have no right to post, display or advertise on campus except where they have received specific permission from the University to do so, such as in connection with an approved function. For approved function on campus (FoC) posting and advertising, refer to the FoC terms and conditions.

For all other specific advertising matters, this policy is to be read in conjunction with the Advertising Policy.

Definitions

Banners refer to display materials designed to be hung from fixed points.

Posters refer to display materials designed to be attached to walls or other vertical surfaces.

Specified noticeboards are approved locations for the affixing of posters, and are reserved for the exclusive use of ANU students, staff, commercial partners, the NTEU and affiliates of the ANU. This includes approved areas within Halls of Residence.

University infrastructure includes but is not limited to walls, ceilings, lights, pillars, poles, windows, doors, signage, floors, pathways, roadways, gates, fences, stairways, balconies, restroom facilities, utility boxes, bollards, public art, rubbish bins, glass fronts of display boards, lifts, bus bays, steps, bridges vehicles and vegetation, rocks and sculptures.

A list of available specified noticeboards for posting and advertising in accordance with this policy is available here.

Policy statement

1. ANU is a campus and community of respectful debate. All students and staff are free to express themselves on any issue in line with Australian law and the University’s Policy: Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech. ANU is also a community that values diversity and inclusion, and all community members must consider how to best express their views in this context, in line with the University’s Student Code of Conduct and Staff Code of Conduct.
2. Display material on University infrastructure may only be placed in specified noticeboards or with the approval of the Chief Campus Environment Officer. Requests for additional noticeboards are submitted to fixmycampus.fs@anu.edu.au.

Posters

3. Posters that meet the requirements below; and are affixed to specified noticeboards do not require approval by the Chief Campus Environment Officer. These posters:

1. include information on the individual or the affiliated club, society, organisation or union producing the poster;
2. are affixed to specified noticeboards with the use of pins or tape. Glue or other adhesives must not be used, as they can damage the noticeboard.
3. are not displayed in excessive numbers, preventing others from promoting their activities. To ensure space for all voices on our campus, no poster (or multiples of the same or similar poster) should exceed ¼ of the noticeboard area.

4. Posters attached to University infrastructure other than in specified noticeboards or from unaffiliated groups (including those that are unidentified) will be removed.
5. All posters will be removed from specified noticeboards on the last Friday of each month, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter this date.

Banners

6. Only ANU students, staff and the NTEU are permitted to display banners on campus.
7. The display of temporary and permanent banners on University infrastructure is subject to the approval of the University’s Chief Campus Environment Officer.
8. Banners intended for temporary activities, such as protests on campus, that comply with the University’s policies, procedures, and rules do not require approval from the Chief Campus Environment Officer, provided their use does not exceed two weeks and the material is not affixed to University infrastructure.
9. The display of temporary or permanent banners in residential accommodation is subject to the approval of the Director of Residential Experience Division.
10. The person responsible for the display of a banner in University infrastructure must consider the University’s health and safety responsibilities, whether the display will result in an unreasonable disruption to the University community and the protection of University infrastructure.

Chalking and other marking materials

11. Chalk may only be used on exterior footpaths which are exposed to rainfall. Use of chalk in other areas (e.g. walls, staircases, interior spaces) is prohibited unless explicitly approved by the University Chief Campus Environment Officer.
12. The use of chalk in residential accommodation is prohibited unless explicitly approved by the Director of Residential Experience Division.
13. The use of crayons, paint, ink, permanent markers (or similar), nails or screws (or similar) on any University infrastructure is prohibited.

Sandwich Boards

14. Only ANU students, staff, commercial partners and affiliates may place sandwich boards to promote events or activities for affiliated clubs, societies, organisations or unions. These must be positioned to avoid safety risks (e.g. not blocking emergency exits, stairways or walkways).

Stickers

15. Affixing unauthorised stickers or using glue/adhesives on any University infrastructure is prohibited.

Other displays

16. The showing of any other kind of visual display—including digital displays—on campus or University property, not otherwise covered in this or other University policy, is also subject to the approval of the University Chief Campus Environment Officer. Considerations for approval will include the University’s health and safety responsibilities, whether the display will result in an unreasonable disruption to the University community, and the protection of University infrastructure.

Content of materials

17. Any materials advertising services which are contrary to the University’s academic integrity principles (e.g. contract cheating) are prohibited and will be promptly removed.
18. Any materials displayed in breach of the law or any ANU policy are prohibited and will be promptly removed.
19. Materials which have been defaced or altered from their original intent may also be removed.

Breaches

20. Any materials deemed to be in breach of this policy may be removed by the University.
21. Where display materials do not comply with this policy, any costs associated with their removal that result in damage to University infrastructure may be charged to the individual or group responsible.
22. Where serious or on-going breaches of this policy occur, the University may also take one or more of the following action(s), as appropriate:

1. Refer matters for possible disciplinary action under the student code of conduct policy and associated procedures;
2. If the conduct or content may contravene the law, refer the matter to the police and/or national security bodies; and/or
3. Any other action or review process that may be available under law or University policy, procedures, rules or agreements.

Requests, feedback, concerns and complaints

23. Requests made pursuant to this policy must be made at least two weeks prior to the banner/display/chalking being required. Requests can be made via fixmycampus.fs@anu.edu.au.
24. Feedback and concerns relating to posters, banners, chalking, sandwich boards and any other display materials, including possible breaches of this policy, or concerns around removal of material and/or appeal requests, may be brought to the attention of the University through ‘Fix My Campus’ on the ANU OK App or via fixmycampus.fs@anu.edu.au.
25. Complaints about the content of any posters, banners, chalking, sandwich boards and any other display materials may be brought to the attention of the University through fixmycampus.fs@anu.edu.au.