RPI supports freedom of expression and recognizes chalking as a way students may share messages, promote events, and engage the community. To ensure that chalking contributes positively to campus life while maintaining respect for the community and facilities, the following guidelines apply: 

Permissible Chalking 

• Chalking is permitted only on outdoor, horizontal sidewalks that are exposed to weather and foot traffic.
• Only water-soluble sidewalk chalk may be used. Spray chalk, paint, markers, or other substances are not permitted.
• Chalking may be used to promote upcoming events, student organizations, campus initiatives, or positive community messages. 

Prohibited Chalking 

• On buildings, walls, steps, benches, doors, windows, or other vertical or non-sidewalk surfaces.
• On areas that are covered, sheltered from rain, or otherwise protected from natural removal.
• Inside buildings or on interior surfaces.
• For commercial purposes, solicitation, or personal business ventures.
• For messages that violate Institute policies, including those related to harassment, discrimination, or threats. 

Maintenance and Removal 

• The Institute reserves the right to remove any chalking that does not comply with this policy.
• Facilities staff may also remove chalking as part of routine cleaning and maintenance. 

Student Responsibility 

Students and organizations are expected to follow these guidelines and respect campus property. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action under the Student Handbook and/or restitution for cleaning costs. 

Opportunities for Expression 

Students seeking additional or alternative ways to promote events or messages are encouraged to contact any Union Student Activity Resource Person (SARP) for information about digital displays, posting spaces, and other approved communication channels. 

RPI encourages students to build community by hosting events that are safe, welcoming, and respectful. To support these goals, the following policy outlines expectations for event guests and their hosts where applicable. 

Guest Definition 

A guest is any individual who is not a currently enrolled RPI student and who attends an event sponsored by a student organization, department, or residential community. Guests may include alumni, friends, family members, or students from other colleges and universities. 

Guest Check-In Requirement 

• All guests must be checked in upon arrival at any student-hosted event.
• The hosting organization or sponsoring group is responsible for maintaining an accurate guest list, which must include each guest’s full name and the name of their student host.
• Guests may be required to present valid photo identification at check-in. 

Host Responsibilities 

• Hosts are responsible for the behavior of their guests throughout the event and for ensuring that guests comply with Institute policies.
• A reasonable limit may be placed on the number of guests per student host, depending on event size, venue, and safety considerations. 

Expectations of Guests 

• Guests are expected to follow all Institute policies and the directions of event organizers, Institute staff, and Public Safety personnel.
• Guests who violate Institute policies or disrupt the community may be required to leave immediately and may be restricted from future campus events. 

Institute Oversight 

RPI reserves the right to establish additional requirements for guest attendance at specific events to ensure safety and compliance with Institute policy. Failure by student hosts or organizations to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action under the Student Handbook.

Exotic dancing, stripping, and similar forms of activity are prohibited on Institute property or off-campus as part of a RPI-recognized/affiliated student organization sanctioned or sponsored event or any event open to the public and/or nonmembers including, but not limited to, recruitment activities. 

The use of fog-generating equipment is prohibited without prior Institute approval. These fog-generating devices are frequently used at parties, performing arts events, and concerts to create atmosphere (generally in combination with lighting effects), but often have the effect of activating the smoke detectors of building fire alarm systems. 

To ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in student organization fundraising while protecting student groups and the Institute, all fundraising efforts must receive prior approval from the RPI Union Executive Board or the appropriate Union office. Unapproved fundraising is not permitted and may result in disciplinary action. 

Student groups may raise funds through approved means such as merchandise sales, event ticketing, or donation campaigns. Organizations may receive donations from alumni directly into their agency accounts. These gifts are categorized separately and do not impact the organization's base funding allocated by the Union during budget review.  

Process for Approval 

Submit a fundraising proposal using the Club Management System (CMS) or corresponding Union forms. 

• Include purpose, expected revenue, methods (sales, promotions), and accountability measures.
• The proposal is reviewed by the Executive Board or designated Union representatives.
• Upon approval, the organization may proceed under Union supervision and guidelines. 

The Union reserves the right to monitor fundraising activities and request financial reports. 

To ensure a respectful and productive campus environment, this policy establishes clear guidelines for acceptable noise levels during student organization events. It aims to balance student engagement with the rights of others to study, work, and live in a peaceful setting. This policy applies to all student organization-sponsored events held on or near college property, including both indoor and outdoor venues. 

General Noise Guidelines  

1. Events must always comply with local city and campus noise ordinances
2. Noise levels must not interfere with academic activities, college operations, or residential living
3. Sound amplification is permitted only with prior approval from the Director of Student Activities or designated campus authority 

Time Restrictions  

Sunday–Thursday: Amplified sound must end by 10:00 PM. 
Friday–Saturday: Amplified sound must end by 11:00 PM. 

Exceptions may be granted for special events (e.g., cultural festivals, welcome weeks) with advanced approval from the Director of Student Activities. 

Location-Based Considerations 

Outdoor events near residential halls or academic buildings may be subject to stricter noise controls. Indoor events using amplification must keep doors and windows closed to minimize sound travel. 

Permitting & Approval 

Student organizations must submit a request at least two weeks in advance for any event involving amplified sound. Approval is contingent upon location, time, and planned noise level. The Director of Student Activities may consult with the Dean of Students Office, Public Safety, and Facilities Management as needed. 

Enforcement & Consequences  

College staff, campus security, or designated event monitors may issue warnings for noise violations. Continued violations may result in immediate shutdown of the event, loss of future event privileges, and/ or disciplinary action against the sponsoring organization 

Complaints Procedure  

Noise complaints should be directed to the Director of Student Activities or Public Safety. All complaints will be documented and investigated. Repeat offenders will face increased scrutiny for future event approvals. 

All members of the RPI community are expected to abide by the campus sign policy for non-residential buildings that is detailed below. This policy was developed to regulate the style, content, and posting of signs and posters as a means of reducing the litter and visual clutter on campus. No business or organization external to the RPI community may post anywhere on the RPI campus without the express permission of the Center for Career and Professional Development, RPI Union Executive Board, the Dean of Students Office, or an Academic Department of the Institute. It is important that this policy be reviewed before signs are posted.   

Definition 

The term sign or poster, as used herein, refers to any written or graphical material on paper, cardboard, cloth, or any other materials placed on campus for public display for the purpose of advertising or information dissemination. 

Style and Content  

1. The Institute reserves the right to remove signs deemed to be graphically inappropriate, profane, libelous, in unsightly condition, or that contain outdated information. 
2. The name and email address of the group or person posting the sign must be on each sign. 
3. Every sign must have a clearly visible and legible takedown date on the bottom right corner; signs not advertising an event date should also include the original posting date. For signs advertising events, the takedown date must be at most three days after the event. For all signs not advertising an event, the takedown date must be at most three weeks from the date they are posted. 
4. Signs may be carried if they do not disrupt classes, traffic, or other educational and administrative functions of the Institute or members of the community. 
5. All signs advertising events must include the date of the event. 
6. Signs from external organizations must clearly identify the RPI organization sponsoring the poster and include contact information for the external organization. 

Posting Signs 

1. Do not use materials that may be damaging to the postering surface, such as nails, screws, chalk, adhesive-backed signs (bumper sticker type). 
2. Do not paint directly on surfaces. 
3. Do not use duct tape. 
4. Outdoor signs must not be posted on telephone or power poles, lamp posts, trees, fences, doors, windows, benches, or the ground.
5. Outdoor signs must also not be posted on Institute buildings with the exceptions of the Low Center for Industrial Innovation (CII), Darrin Communications Center (DCC), and the Jonsson Engineering Center (JEC). 
6. Signs must not be posted on the internal walls, floors, carpets, or doors of any building except as permitted by those having jurisdiction over that building. 
7. Signs must not be posted in such a way as to cover or obscure signs already on display. 
8. No sign may be posted in excess, as defined by the Director of Student Activities in the RPI Union, at any postering location. 
9. Signs placed or carried in a building must comply with rules established by those having jurisdiction over that building. 
10. No sign shall be posted in such a way that its removal shall be excessively difficult or dangerous.   

Posting Banners 

1. Banners may be hung with string on the footbridge, and if requiring the use of a ladder to hang, must be approved by the Director of Student Activities in the RPI Union or the Dean of Students Office.
2. Banners hung overhead in the CII walkway must be approved by the Director of Student Activities in the RPI Union. 

Posting on Outdoor Bulletin Boards 

1. Only signs containing information pertinent to Institute activities or interests may be posted in campus bulletin spaces.
2. Signs may be mounted on bulletin boards only with thumbtacks and staples. 
3. No more than one of any particular sign may be posted on any side of a bulletin board. 
4. Signs posted on bulletin boards may not have an area greater than 4 square feet.  

Removing Signs, Posters, or Banners 

All removed signs must be disposed of properly on or after the takedown date by any member of the Institute community. Signs advertising events must be removed by the person or group posting the sign within three days following the event. All other signage must be removed within three weeks of posting. Properly posted signs may not be removed, unless as authorized by the person or group posting the sign, before these established dates. A group or individual may remove any sign on or after the takedown date to place a new sign.  

Campus Buildings & Grounds may perform a takedown of posters with express notification and subsequent approval from the Dean of Students, the Grand Marshal, and the Director of Student Activities when postering reaches an excessive amount or at the start/end of a semester. 

Takedown dates shall not apply to signs set up by the RPI Union containing information about this policy. 

Enforcement of Rules 

Revisions to this policy must be approved by the Student Senate and the Dean of Students Office. In extraordinary cases, these rules may be waived by the Director of Student Activities, the Grand Marshal, the Dean of Students, the President, or one of the Vice Presidents/Provosts of the Institute. Disagreements concerning waiving and interpretation of rules shall be resolved through discussion by these parties. 

Potential outcomes for sign policy violations may include: 

1. Immediate removal of signs
2. Written warning from the Dean of Students Office and/or Campus Buildings & Grounds
3. Referral to the Dean of Students Office
4. Removal of privileges to poster in the RPI Union
5. Monetary fines levied by the Executive Board on funded clubs
6. Removal of privileges to poster on campus 

These rules will be superseded for student political signs during campaigning for student elections by the election rules passed by the Student Senate.

Only Institute administrative unit or departments, and recognized student organizations with express permission, may conduct fundraising or solicitation activities on the RPI campus, or distribute materials on campus property, including but not limited to the residence halls. No outside organization or person may solicit or distribute materials on the campus. Student organizations wishing to set up booths or otherwise conduct such activities on RPI property must obtain permission from the RPI administrative unit or department with responsibility for management of the particular building or facility before doing so. The organization should seek guidance from the Director of the Union or Director of Student Activities if unsure about where to seek permission. 

Individual students or groups who wish to reserve buildings, classrooms, or outdoor facilities at RPI should consult with the Facilities Coordinator or the specified Scheduler who is responsible for referring such requests to the appropriate departments. Students should also be familiar with the “RPI Guide for Events, Rooms, and Services” and the rooms and spaces that may be requested through the RPI’s Room Reservations System webpage https://rpi.emscloudservice.com/web/  

Sponsoring groups or individuals are responsible for reasonable control and care of participants, spectators, and property during events under their sponsorship.