2.05

Solicitation on Campus OLAIC

POLICY OVERVIEW

Solicitation on the campus of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) is prohibited except for certain activities conducted by authorized groups that are exempt from this prohibition. These activities must be authorized by the administration of the UTHSC-H and must at all times be consistent with UT System regulations.^a

For the purposes of this policy, the following defines "solicitation":

• the sale, lease, rental, or offer for sale, lease, rental of any property, product merchandise, publication, or service, whether for immediate or future delivery;
• an oral statement or the distribution or display of printed material, merchandise, or products that is designed to encourage the purchase, use, or rental of any property, product, merchandise, publication, or service;
• the oral or written appeal or request to support or join an organization other than a registered student, faculty, or staff organization;
• the receipt of or request for any gift or contribution; or
• the request to support or oppose or to vote for or against a candidate, issue, or proposition appearing on the ballot at any election held pursuant to state or federal law or local ordinances. For further guidelines regarding the definition of solicitation, refer to Appendix C--Guidelines.

The UTHSC-H allows only agents of the UTHSC-H, employees acting within the scope of their employment with the UTHSC-H (the Student Intercouncil, and other registered student, faculty, and staff organizations) to solicit on the grounds, sidewalks, or streets on the campus of the UTHSC-H or in any building, structure, or facility owned, controlled, or operated by the UTHSC-H.

All approved solicitation activities must be conducted in a manner that:

• will not disturb or interfere with the academic programs or administrative activities of the UTHSC-H or any program or activity that is conducted by or authorized by the UTHSC-H;
• will not interfere with entry to or exit from the building, structure, or facility;
• will not interfere with the flow of pedestrians or vehicular traffic at places of entry to and/or exit from property, buildings, or facilities;
• will not harass, embarrass, or intimidate the person or persons being solicited; and
• will not violate applicable state, federal, or local laws or regulations.

No person, including a student or employee of the UTHSC-H, shall distribute any petition, handbill, object, or piece of literature; post or carry any sign, placard, or banner; or engage in speech or conduct on property or in buildings or facilities owned or controlled by the UTHSC-H if it is obscene or libelous or is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.

PROCEDURE

Auxiliary Enterprises (AE) Division is responsible for coordinating this policy and procedure. The goal of UT-Houston is to eliminate non-sanctioned solicitation and to provide a clear process for the administration of sanctioned efforts to facilitate sound academic, administrative, and business practices. All solicitations must seek AE approvals. Examples include: drug companies, book fairs, vendor shows, equipment demonstrations, pharmaceutical and instrument demonstrations, craft fairs, job fairs, etc. For further information and approval forms see AE Solicitation/Event Guidelines.

Impermissible solicitation on the UTHSC-H campus by unauthorized agents should be reported immediately to the vice president and chief auxiliary enterprises officer. Solicitation on the UTHSC-H campus by authorized agents or members of registered faculty, staff, or student organizations who conduct their activities in an unapproved manner so as to harass an employee or interfere with the work or academic environment should also be reported immediately to the vice president and chief auxiliary enterprises officer mentioned above.

The vice president and chief auxiliary enterprises officer will consult with the appropriate dean to investigate any authorized individual or registered organization that solicits in an unapproved manner. If, after reasonable investigation, it is determined that impermissible solicitation is being or has been conducted or that permissible solicitation is being or has been conducted in violation of the Regents' Rules and Regulations or the approved rules and regulations of the UT System or UTHSC-H,

1. a student, a faculty member, or a staff member will be subject to such penalty as may be appropriate, and
2. a students' association or a registered student, faculty, or staff organization will be prohibited from solicitation for such period or periods of time as may be appropriate. In the case of repeated violations, the registered status of the organization may be cancelled or other appropriate penalties may be imposed.

Any penalty or penalties will be imposed at the discretion of the vice president and chief auxiliary enterprises officer or appropriate dean and according to the due process procedures of applicable Regents' Rules and Regulations or approved policy of the UTHSC-H (refer to policy 5.13 Disciplinary Action for Classified Employees) or academic corrective action for students.

The advertisement of goods or services by UTHSC-H employees or students on any of the community bulletin boards on campus is subject to the authority and approval of the appropriate dean or vice president and chief auxiliary enterprises officer. Any posting considered to be obscene or libelous or that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action will be withdrawn at their discretion. Within 30 days of the beginning of the following long semester, the student association and each registered student organization must file a statement with the executive vice president for academic affairs that discloses the sources and amounts of money it obtained from solicitations, contributions, and other revenues during the preceding semester or summer session. The statement must also disclose the beneficiaries and amounts of expenditures the organization made during the preceding semester or summer session.

Student organizations that received money or items of value only from their own members must file a statement to that effect. Organizations that fail to file the required statement will be prohibited from solicitation on the campus until they comply.

a Board of Regents, UT System, Rules and Regulations, Series 80103, Solicitation

Updated 08/05; 08/07