This policy outlines the guidelines and procedures relating to solicitation on the University of Georgia campus. This policy applies to solicitation activities by campus organizations (student or non-student, including University departments), commercial vendors, nonprofit or charitable organizations, and individuals, as well as all affiliated organizations including but not limited to The University of Georgia Athletic Association, The University of Georgia Alumni Association, The University of Georgia Foundation, The Arch Foundation, The University of Georgia Research Foundation, and The University of Georgia Real Estate Foundation. For purposes of this policy, distinctions are made between University Related and Non-University Related Solicitation and between "Commercial" and "Noncommercial" Solicitation. The sale of personal property by individual members of the University community does not require prior authorization or notification of authorized officials, but must comply with the standards set forth in paragraph 1(c) below, and section 5, “Standards”, under “Procedures”.

 

1. Commercial Solicitation
   1. Solicitation by Private Enterprises
   1. Commercial activities are generally prohibited unless the University does not offer the good or service and it is determined that the activity is compatible with the purpose of the University.
   2. Institutions of the University System shall not permit the operation of private business enterprises on their campuses, except as otherwise provided by contract. All business enterprises operated on a campus of an institution of the University System shall be operated as auxiliary enterprises and shall be under the direct management, control and supervision of the chief business officer of the institution (Board of Regents Policy 711.02).
   3. Vendors offering services to campus under contract may solicit the sale of goods and services consistent with the terms of the contract. 
   2. Solicitation by University of Georgia Employees
   1. Commercial solicitation by University of Georgia employees is prohibited during work hours.
   2. Prohibited activities include actual sales or order taking, as well as the distribution of catalogs and literature.
   3. Use of University Facilities
   1. University facilities are intended for the use of its students, faculty, staff and invited guests participating in University-approved programs or activities.
   2. Departmental mailboxes and bulletin boards shall not be used to distribute sales information or catalogs.
   3. Commercial information may not be posted on University buildings, interior and exterior doors, interior and exterior walls, windows, fences, directional and informational signs, lamp posts, light poles, barricades, trees, and any other inappropriate location.
   4. The University electronic mail system, internal campus mail service, and bulletin boards are for official University correspondence and authorized activities only and shall not be used for commercial correspondence, advertising, soliciting, or mass mailing.
   5. Newspapers may also be sold through coin-operated vending racks approved by and at locations designated by the Director of Auxiliary Services or his representative (542-7167). Only one rack per newspaper may normally be placed at each authorized location, any exception to this must be approved by the Director of Auxiliary Services (usually allowed only for high demand situations). Newspapers may also be given away by placing on designated information tables or residence halls with permission of the Director of Housing (542-1421) and in designated areas in Tate Student Center. In addition, newspapers may be given away through totally-enclosed vending racks approved by and at locations designated by the Director of Auxiliary Services or his representative (542-7167). Only one rack per newspaper may normally be placed at each authorized location, any exception to this must be approved by the Director of Auxiliary Services (usually allowed only for high demand situations).
   6. Distribution or sale of newspapers shall not be made in buildings or closed areas on campus except as provided by this regulation. No stand, table, or booth shall be used in the distribution of newspapers except in the designated areas at Tate Student Center and as stipulated above for newspapers to be given away.
2. Non-Commercial Activities
1. General Guidelines
1. Non-commercial solicitation may take place in University public areas with prior approval by the appropriate authorizing official.
2. Solicitation activities may be limited on a viewpoint-neutral, content-neutral basis in regards to the time, place and manner of the proposed activity.
3. Violation of any of these limitations may result in revocation of the permission to engage in the activity.
4. Individuals conducting solicitation on campus shall not engage in unlawful activity, misrepresentation, or fraudulent trade practices, and may not display, distribute or sell items which are illegal or prohibited by Board of Regents or University of Georgia policy.
5. In order to receive approval, non-commercial sales activities must be occasional, non-continuous, and specific in purpose.
6. Regular, recurring sales activities are prohibited on the University of Georgia campus.
7. The total number of people soliciting in one place on the University of Georgia campus will be limited.
8. Preference for assignment of space will take into account the number of previous approvals for the group or activity, status as a major campus-wide activity, time constraints of events that may be advertised.  In addition, any special circumstances relating to University activities and the burden such activity may place on University grounds and facilities, security forces, and administrative staff will be considered.
2. Campus Organizations
1. Solicitations conducted by campus organizations must be for the benefit of the campus organization or a nonprofit or charitable entity. Commercial Solicitations are prohibited. Provisions for proceeds from the solicitation must be included in the request for approval to conduct the solicitation.
2. Advertising for solicitation by registered student organizations must comply with guidelines published by the Department of Campus Life.
3. A representative of the sponsoring campus organization must be present at all times during solicitation activities involving an outside vendor.
4. All sponsorship activities must be conducted in accordance with the policy, and may not include commercial sales.
3. Solicitation in Residence Halls and Family and Graduate Housing
1. Commercial Solicitation
1. Commercial Solicitation is prohibited in the residence halls and Family and Graduate Housing, including inside resident rooms/apartments, through resident mailboxes except as authorized by USPS regulations, and in public and common areas of the buildings.
2. Commercial Solicitation taking place on the residence hall or Family and Graduate Housing grounds must be approved by Auxiliary Services. 
2. Non-commercial Solicitation
1. Non-commercial solicitation may take place in the public areas of the residence halls and Family and Graduate Housing, but must receive prior approval from the Department of University Housing.
2. Non-commercial Solicitation taking place on the residence hall or Family and Graduate Housing grounds must also receive prior approval by Auxiliary Services unless the Solicitation is sponsored by the Department of University Housing.
3. Solicitation Approval
1. Auxiliary Services will notify University Housing of all approved requests for permission to engage in solicitation, either commercial or non-commercial in nature.
4. Deliveries to Residence Halls
1. Deliveries by vendors directly to student rooms are prohibited.
2. Newspapers may be delivered to the room/apartment doors of student subscribers in the residence halls. However, the newspaper representative is not permitted to solicit at any time. Please refer to University Housing for additional guidelines on newspaper distribution within the residence halls.
3. Food may be delivered to residence halls by vendors. Such deliveries are permitted only in response to prepaid orders or to specific orders by resident students. The Department of University Housing designates the hours during which deliveries may occur for residence halls, the doors to be used, and the areas within residence halls where deliveries must take place.
5. Sanctions For Noncompliance
1. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in residence hall or Family and Graduate Housing contract review, a referral through a University judicial process, barring from residence halls or Family and Graduate Housing, or arrest and legal action.
4. Deliveries on Campus
1. Food may be delivered to academic/administrative offices or to outdoor locations by vendors. Such deliveries are permitted only in response to prepaid orders or to specific orders by employees.
2. Personal deliveries, such as dry cleaning, personal airline tickets, and parcel packages, are discouraged. Such activity could be disruptive to the workplace and there is no liability coverage for stolen or damaged merchandise.
3. The manager of each unit shall have the discretion to determine whether occasional, non-disruptive deliveries will be allowed.  In making those determinations, managers should consider where items will be received and the space required for holding, the safety of those parcels, and confusion about a delivered item that may be opened by mistake. 

Extenuating circumstances may justify exceptions to this policy. Requests for such exceptions and justification therefore should be made in writing and forwarded to the appropriate Vice President for review.

Responsible University Senior Administrator: Vice President for Finance & Administration

Responsible University Administrator: Associate Vice President Auxiliary Services

Policy Owner: Director, Auxiliary Services

Policy Contact: Jon Hall, Manager – Vending and Solicitation

Phone Number: 706-542-7167