October 5, 2006
A sign of the times: Web site gives directions on outdoor advertising
With the arrival of fall quarter, the signs and banners have begun to appear around campus, advertising everything from the Karate Club to the Look Up! safety campaign. But Facilities Services would like you to know that you can’t just hoist a homemade banner or plop a sandwich board down anywhere you like.
In fact, this whole matter is important enough that written policies have been created for several different types of campus signage. “People who are interested in advertising something with a sign or a banner should go and look at the policies first,” said Jon Hooper, facilities manager in Facilities Services. “They really spell everything out.”
The policies can be found at http://depts.washington.edu/czone/index.html, which is the page for the Central Maintenance Zone. They’re the people who are responsible for coordinating campus sign placement and removal. Under “most requested resources” on the page, you’ll find a listing for “requesting permission for signs and banners.”
Perhaps the most important thing to know about the banners is that if they are on a building, you must have the approval of the building manager before you can submit a request to the Central Maintenance Zone. Kane, Mary Gates and Suzzallo are the most popular sites for banners, although they can be placed anywhere that is accessible to the lift trucks that are used to hang them.
Newly available for banners this year are four overpasses — the two on Pacific Avenue and the two northernmost ones on Montlake (the overpass that leads to Hec Ed Pavilion is off limits). It’s also possible to hang pole banners on the upper campus light poles.
All banners used must be a standard size and made out of standard materials as spelled out in the policy. Typically, banners can only hang for 30 days, although exceptions have been made on occasion.
The other major type of advertisement that requires permission is the sandwich board sign. Only five or six years ago, Hooper said, sandwich boards were prohibited on campus. Now they can be used, but there are some strict rules connected with them. They must be at least 24 inches and not more than 36 inches tall and between 20 and 30 inches wide, and they must be kept well clear of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. They can remain in approved locations for only two weeks. The Central Maintenance Zone has blank sandwich boards available for use at no charge.
“Ideally, we would like to have two weeks notice before any sign or banner is placed on campus,” Hooper said.
Although the Central Maintenance Zone staff coordinate requests for and installation of signs and banners, the signage program is really administered by the Grounds Improvement Advisory Signage Committee, which Hooper chairs.
The Central Maintenance Zone staff are also the people who coordinate requests for using any portion of the campus grounds for outdoor events. On the same Web page under “most requested resources,” click on “campus events guide” to learn the fairly detailed rules for renting a space such as Grieg Garden or the Sylvan Theater. Campus events are under the supervision of the Committee on the Use of University Facilities, which must approve any event.
Only events associated with the University may be advertised on signs or banners. Non-University associated events such as weddings may be held on campus, but a department or other University unit (such as the Alumni Association when alumni are involved) must sign on to the request.
Questions about the policies should be directed to Roberta Bustamante, Central Maintenance Zone, 206-221-7819, FAX 206-221-7670, rhb4@u.washington.edu.
