UF policies affecting Student Groups
Faculty advisors and student leaders should be aware of the policies and procedures of the University of Florida and the laws of the State of Florida.
Below are tips and information about some of the policies.
The Student Organization Handbook covers these topics in detail and can be viewed on our website.
Questions concerning the interpretation or application of policies and regulations pertaining to student organizations
can be answered by the Center for Student Involvement staff (392-1671) or by e-mailing SACDesk@union.ufl.edu.
Printed Materials
- Posting is only allowed on open bulletin boards and kiosks. Posting on walls, in bathrooms, on trees, sidewalks, utility poles, etc., is prohibited.
- Adhesives may not be used to post materials.
- Chalking of buildings or sidewalks is prohibited with the exception of the JWRU South Terrace.
(See Reitz Union Event Services Office, 101 Reitz Union to reserve the South Terrace for chalking)
- Advertisements for the use, sale, consumption or distribution of alcohol or illegal drugs are prohibited.
- No flyers may be posted on cars parked on campus.
- Brochures, flyers and leaflets must be handed out person to person and cannot be left in stacks on campus.
- All posted materials, banners, booths, and tables must clearly display the name of the sponsoring student organization(s).
- Use of materials which include defamation, obscenity, or pornography is prohibited.
- Posters, flyers, etc. must follow the University Rules referring to distribution of printed materials and the University Alcohol Policy regarding printed materials (section 5) .
Rule 6C1-2.003 - Distribution of Printed Material.
University Alcohol Policy
Room reservations
There are many places on campus to reserve rooms for meetings or events.
To reserve space in the Reitz Union, visit the Event Services office in room 101 of the Reitz Union, or visit event services website.
The student organization handbook has a complete listing of the location and occupancy capacity for all of the other
reservable facilities
on campus and who to contact to make a reservation. Please keep in mind that it often takes 5-7 days to process reservation requests, so plan ahead.
Program Planning
One of the most fun and rewarding things a student organization can do is present a program.
Program planning has a lot of details and some university rules may complicate it even more.
The most important thing to remember is that every program must have a permit.
This is true for any on-campus event other than a regularly-scheduled meeting.
Permits should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
The Office of Student Activities staff reviews all permits and determines whether or not the program will be approved.
Important things to keep in mind include:
- In most cases, the organization is responsible for making the facility or table reservation.
Just because your permit has been submitted or approved does NOT mean that the facility has been reserved.
- Student organizations are not allowed to reserve facilities or permit events for non UF groups or commercial vendors.
This is called fronting. If the organization is approached by a non-UF group to do an event, contact the Office of Student Activities.
- Amplified sound is not allowed outside on campus during class time.
- Only Student Government Productions (SGP) and Reitz Union Board (RUB) are allowed to bring bands to campus.
If an organization wants to bring a band they should contact one of these groups for a possible co-sponsorship.
- The Office of Student Activities must be involved in all contact with agents for speakers or performers, negotiations and offers.
A verbal offer on the phone is considered binding and should only be made by an OSA staff member.
- UF has an open press access clause that means a speaker cannot limit print or video/taping by press.
Agents and speakers should be made aware of this.
- In order to serve food at an event, a Request to Provide food form must be filled out with the OSA staff.
- Any food given away must be prepared in kitchens inspected by the Health Department (i.e., restaurants or caterers)
- The UF Food Contract states the Reitz Union and surrounding areas is restricted to food and catering only from Aramark/Classic Fare Catering.
Off-campus vendors may only give away food at Turlington Plaza, the Plaza of Americas, Norman Field, Hume Field, Maguire Field, the North Lawn of the Reitz Union
(after 6 pm only)
- Alcoholic beverages may be served or sold at an on-campus function sponsored by a student or a student organization only in very limited situations.
Prior written approval from the Dean of Students Office and an event permit from the Office of Student Activities are required.
For more information about program planning, please contact the Office of Student Activities to meet with a staff member, at 392-1655.
Fundraising
Student organizations wishing to have a fundraiser must submit a permit for the event at least two weeks in advance.
All of the proceeds from the fundraiser must go to charitable, educational or philanthropic purposes. (i.e. you can not have a fundraiser to raise money for your holiday party).
There are also several types of fundraisers that are prohibited on-campus, including:
- Raffles or gambling
- Bake (or any food) sales
- Flea Markets
- Car Bashes
- Date Auctions
- Credit card, telephone card, or discount card sales
- Product sales such as magazines, clothes, CD’s, or software, etc. (any commercial items not directly related to organization or event)
- Garage sales w/ donated items
For more information about planning a fundraiser, contact the Office of Student Activities at 392-1655 to speak with a staff member.
