WAC 478-136-030   Limitations on use.  (1) Freedom of expression is a highly valued and indispensable quality of university life. However, university facilities may not be used in ways which obstruct or disrupt university operations, the freedom of movement, or any other lawful activities. Additionally, use of university facilities may be subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions.

     (2) University facilities may be used for events and forums regarding ballot propositions and/or candidates who have filed for public office so long as the event has received preliminary approval by an administrative or academic unit and final approval by the committee on the use of university facilities. There are, however, certain limitations on the use of university facilities for these political activities.

     (a) First priority for the use of campus facilities shall be given to regularly scheduled university activities.

     (b) University facilities may be used for political purposes such as events and forums regarding ballot propositions and/or candidates who have filed for public office only when the full rental cost of the facility is paid. However, use of state funds for payment of facility rental costs is prohibited.

     (c) Forums or debates may be scheduled at full facility rental rates if all parties to a ballot proposition election or all candidates who have filed for office for a given position, regardless of party affiliation, are given equal access to the use of facilities within a reasonable time.

     (d) No person shall solicit contributions on university property for political uses, except in instances where this limitation conflicts with applicable federal law regarding interference with the mails.

     (e) Public areas outside university buildings may be used for political purposes such as events and forums regarding ballot propositions and/or candidates who have filed for public office, excluding solicitation of funds, provided the other normal business of the university is not disrupted and entrances to and exits from buildings are not blocked.

     (f) University facilities or services may not be used to establish or maintain offices or headquarters for political candidates or partisan political causes.

     (3) University facilities may not be used for private or commercial purposes such as sales, advertising, or promotional activities unless such activities serve an educational purpose, as determined by the committee on the use of university facilities.

     (4) Nothing in these rules is intended to alter or affect the regular advertising, promotional, or underwriting activities carried on, by, or in the regular university media or publications. Policies concerning advertising, promotional or underwriting activities included in these media or publications are under the jurisdiction of and must be approved by their respective management or, where applicable, advisory committees, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

     (5) In accordance with WAC 478-136-010, the university will make its facilities available only for purposes related to the educational mission of the university, as determined by the committee on the use of university facilities, including but not limited to instruction, research, public assembly, and student activities. When permission is granted to use university facilities for approved instructional or related purposes, as a condition of approval, the user of university facilities agrees to include in all materials nonendorsement statements in the form approved by the committee on the use of university facilities. "Materials" includes all communications, advertisement, and any other printed, electronic, or broadcast/telecast information related to the user's activities offered in university facilities. The committee will determine the content, size of print and placement of the nonendorsement language. The university will not make its facilities available for instructional or related purposes that compete with courses or programs offered by the university.

     (6) Solicitation, or distribution of handbills, pamphlets and similar materials by anyone, whether a member of the university community or of the general public, is not permitted in those areas of campus to which access by the public is restricted or where such solicitation or distribution would significantly impinge upon the primary business being conducted.

     (7) Solicitation and distribution of materials in university residence halls are governed by residence hall policies. No solicitation of a commercial nature is permitted in university residence halls. Commercial advertising may be allowed, and is restricted to certain designated areas of each residence hall, when it is related to the university's mission and approved by the department of housing and food services.

     (8) Electronic amplification on the grounds of the campus is prohibited with the following exceptions:

     (a) The lawn area immediately west of the Husky Union Building will be available for open-air speaking events using directional and volume-controlled speech amplification equipment provided by the university. Use of the Husky Union Building lawn site will be available to registered or official student organizations and faculty or staff groups on a first-come, first-served basis. The amplification system will be issued upon presentation of a currently valid student, faculty or staff identification card at the Husky Union Building Reservation Office.

     (b) The committee on the use of university facilities may grant permission, under special circumstances, for the use of other amplification equipment on the lawn site west of the Husky Union Building or in other outdoor locations. Permission should be requested through:


     University of Washington

     Secretary to the Committee on the

     Use of University Facilities

     239M Gerberding Hall

     Box 351241

     Seattle, WA 98195-1241


(or phone: 206-543-9233), sufficiently in advance of the program to allow timely consideration.

     (9)(a) No person may use university facilities to camp, except if permission to do so has been granted in accordance with the provisions of chapters 478-116 and 478-136 WAC or except as provided in (b) of this subsection. "Camp" means to remain overnight, to erect a tent or other shelter, or to use sleeping equipment, a vehicle, or a trailer camper, for the purpose of or in such ways as will permit remaining overnight. Violators are subject to arrest and criminal prosecution under applicable state, county and city laws.

     (b) This provision does not prohibit use of the university residence facilities in accordance with chapter 478-156 WAC or the use of facilities where the employee remains overnight to fulfill the responsibilities of his or her position or where a student remains overnight to fulfill the requirements of his or her course of study.

     (10) Within the limits of applicable laws, the University of Washington is committed to establishing and maintaining safe conditions for persons attending football games in Husky Stadium or other athletic events or concerts in campus facilities. Accordingly, the rules enumerated below will apply to all such events and be strictly enforced.

     (a) The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is prohibited, except for alcohol allowed under a permit or license obtained under subsection (13) of this section. In addition to having the beverages or drugs confiscated, violators may be subject to university disciplinary action and/or legal proceedings, and removal from the events.

     (b) Air horns, glass bottles, cans, picnic baskets, bota bags, ice chests, and thermoses (in excess of two-quart capacity) are prohibited. Individuals possessing such will not be admitted to, or will be removed from, Husky Stadium or other athletic or concert facilities until the items have been stored temporarily at locations provided for that purpose or disposed of in some other manner.

     (c) Except for designated outdoor smoking sites, as provided in WAC 478-136-035, smoking is prohibited in all portions of all athletic stadia, including, but not limited to, the seating areas, public concourses, and enclosed and covered spaces.

     (d) All persons entering events in Husky Stadium or other athletic venues or events in other campus auditoria or facilities shall be subject to having all containers, bags, backpacks, coolers, or similar items visually inspected. Security personnel shall first ask permission to visually inspect the item and advise the person that he/she may refuse. Persons who refuse to allow inspection shall be allowed to return the item to a vehicle or otherwise dispose of it, after which admission shall be allowed. Persons who refuse the visual inspection and refuse to dispose of the item shall be denied entry.

     (11) Only public service announcements and acknowledgment of sponsors will be allowed on scoreboards at athletic venues.

     (a) For purposes of this section, a public service announcement is defined as an announcement which promotes the activities or services of federal, state or local governments, including the University of Washington, or nonprofit organizations, or generally contributes to the community's welfare and interests.

     (b) In acknowledgment of their sponsorship of the scoreboards or sponsorship of events and programs, sponsors may propose public service announcements for display on the scoreboard during athletic events. The public service announcement may be accompanied by a sponsor's name or logo, but in keeping with university policy may not directly promote the products or services of the company. The text and graphics of public service announcements must be submitted at least three days in advance to the department of intercollegiate athletics for approval by the university.

     (c) In addition to these public service announcements, sponsors also may be acknowledged by the display of corporate logos, trademarks, or other approved messages upon panels located on the scoreboard.

     (12) Alcoholic beverages may be possessed, sold, served, and consumed at university facilities only if the procedures set forth in this section are followed.

     (a) The appropriate permits/licenses for possession, sale, service, and consumption of alcohol must be obtained from the Washington state liquor control board.

     (b) Permits/licenses must be displayed during the event and all other guidelines and restrictions established by the Washington state liquor control board must be followed.

     (c) Alcoholic beverages may be possessed, sold, served, and consumed at the faculty center, as so designated by the university board of regents to the Washington state liquor control board, pursuant to a spirits, beer, and wine private club license issued by the Washington state liquor control board.

     (d) Alcoholic beverages may be possessed, sold, served, and consumed at university facilities leased to a commercial tenant under a lease that includes authorization for the tenant to apply and hold a license issued by the Washington state liquor control board.

     (e) Except as provided in (c) and (d) of this subsection, alcoholic beverages may be possessed, sold, served, and consumed at university facilities only under permits/licenses issued by the Washington state liquor control board and only as follows:

     (i) Events at which alcohol is to be sold must be approved by the committee on the use of university facilities and an application to the committee must be accompanied by a request for written authorization under (f) of this subsection or proof that the seller holds an appropriate license; and

     (ii) Events at athletic venues at which alcohol is to be possessed, sold, served, or consumed must not be within the spectator viewing areas and must have restricted attendance, and a university unit, or an individual or organization applying for a permit/license must have obtained approval under (f) of this subsection; and

     (iii) A university unit, or an individual or organization applying for a permit/license must have obtained approval under (f) of this subsection; and

     (iv) Sale, service, and consumption of alcohol is to be confined to specified room(s) or area(s) specified on the license or permit. Unopened containers may not be sold or served. No alcohol is permitted to be taken off-premises.

     (f) Written authorization to apply for a special occasion license to sell alcoholic beverages or a banquet permit to serve and consume alcoholic beverages at university facilities must be obtained from the committee on the use of university facilities prior to applying for a special occasion license or banquet permit from the Washington state liquor control board. Authorization should be requested through the University of Washington, secretary to the committee on the use of university facilities, sufficiently in advance of the program to allow timely consideration. (Note: Some license applications must be filed with the Washington state liquor control board at least thirty days or more before the event.) Written authorization to apply for such a permit/license shall accompany the application filed with the Washington state liquor control board.

     (g) Consumption, possession, dispensation, or sale of alcohol is prohibited except for persons of legal age.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.20.130 and chapter 70.160 RCW. 07-03-136, § 478-136-030, filed 1/23/07, effective 2/23/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.20.130 and Executive Order 97-02. 06-13-021, § 478-136-030, filed 6/13/06, effective 7/14/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.20.130 and University of Washington Board of Regent's Standing Orders, Chapter 1, Section 2. 05-21-133, § 478-136-030, filed 10/19/05, effective 11/19/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.20.130. 03-24-045, § 478-136-030, filed 11/26/03, effective 12/27/03; 02-06-020, § 478-136-030, filed 2/25/02, effective 3/28/02; 01-11-135, § 478-136-030, filed 5/23/01, effective 6/23/01; 97-24-047, § 478-136-030, filed 11/26/97, effective 12/27/97; 91-14-024, § 478-136-030, filed 6/25/91, effective 7/26/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW. 90-12-034, § 478-136-030, filed 5/30/90, effective 9/1/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.20.130. 88-19-045 (Order 88-05), § 478-136-030, filed 9/14/88; 85-01-045 (Order 84-5), § 478-136-030, filed 12/14/84. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.20.130(1). 82-16-001 (Order 82-2), § 478-136-030, filed 7/22/82, effective 10/1/82; Order 73-2, § 478-136-030, filed 1/10/73.]