Student Union Solicitation Policy and Procedure:

Policy Number: 25130.02

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A. Policy

Any group or agency seeking the right to solicit in the Oklahoma State University Student Union and adjacent outdoor spaces must obtain prior approval.

Solicitation is defined as advertising, order-taking, sales, donations, proselytizing, campaigning (political or otherwise), and the collection and distribution of literature.

The OSU Student Union is defined as areas within or adjacent to the Student Union for which the Director of the Student Union has scheduling responsibility. These areas include:

• Student Union Building

• Student Union North Plaza and Amphitheatre

• Student Union Parking Garage

• Formal Gardens

• Engineering South Lawn

• Civil Engineering South Lawn

• Classroom Building Lawn

• International Mall

• Noble Research Center Lawn

• Old Central Lawn

• Gundersen Lawn

• Seretean Lawn

• Life Sciences East Lawn

• Willard Lawn

• Theta Pond

• Bartlett Lawn

• Thatcher Lawn

• Southeast Plaza of the Student Union (across from the Alumni Center)

Permission to solicit in these areas is limited to:

• Recognized campus organizations

• University departments

• Governmental or educational agencies

University departments or recognized organizations may sponsor non-OSU groups with approval. Sponsoring organizations assume responsibility for compliance, charges, and damages. A contact person must be designated, and both sponsoring and sponsored groups must be present during solicitation.

All solicitation requires a solicitation permit issued by Student Union Meeting & Conference Services.

Permit and Fee Structure

• Sponsored non-OSU groups:

  • Semester-based permit: $250 per group

  • Requires completion of a co-sponsorship form

  • Permits are non-transferable and expire at the end of each semester

• Non-university, non-sponsored groups:

  • Base table fee: $450 per day

Permitted indoor spaces include:

• Basement lounge

• Second-floor lounge areas, including:

  • Blue Key Lounge (top of University Store entrance)

  • Area adjacent to the Center for Ethical Leadership

Permitted outdoor spaces include:

• Lower plaza near Chi-O-Clock

• Classroom Building

• Greek Walk

• International Mall

• West Classroom Building Plaza

• North, Middle, and South Library Lawn sidewalks

Student organizations and university departments receive priority in space scheduling.

Scheduling decisions are made by the Meeting & Conference Services Manager and are subject to availability, campus events, and peak periods (e.g., textbook rush, enrollment). Reservations may be relocated or canceled due to university business or safety concerns.

B. Usage Regulations

1. Solicitors must respect the rights of others.

2. Student organizations and university agencies soliciting goods or services directly related to their mission are not charged.

   • If acting on behalf of an outside commercial entity, standard rental fees apply.

   • Commercial activity must not conflict with or compete with existing Student Union businesses.

3. “Fronting” (allowing outside groups to solicit without disclosure or approval) is prohibited.

4. Solicitors may not offer incentives or inducements for transactions.

5. Outside solicitation may not exceed 20% of available tables without approval.

6. A sign identifying the organization/vendor/co-sponsor must be displayed.

7. Sound amplification:

   • Not allowed indoors without approval

   • Allowed outdoors with restrictions and must not exceed 70 decibels

8. Indoor table limits:

   • One 6’ x 30” table and two chairs

   • Maximum space: 6’ x 10’

   • All activity must occur behind the table

   • No structures or attachments to university property

9. Outdoor table limits:

   • Same table and space limits as indoor

   • Solicitation may occur in front of the table if egress is not blocked

10. Solicitation must not block entrances or traffic flow.

11. Solicitation is not allowed on home football game days.

12. All university policies, laws, and ordinances must be followed.

13. Solicitors must abide by all OSU and Student Union rules.

C. Failure to Comply

A solicitation permit may be denied or revoked for reasons including, but not limited to:

1. Failure to comply with regulations

2. Faulty merchandise

3. Soliciting goods/services already offered in Student Union retail or service locations

4. Unsafe or unsanitary conditions

5. Misrepresentation of goods or services

6. Falsification of permit information

7. Interference with OSU’s educational mission

8. Impeding normal traffic flow

D. Sanctions

In addition to revocation, solicitors may be prohibited from future solicitation for a specified time.

E. Permit Location

Solicitation applications and permits are available at:
Meeting & Conference Services
179 Student Union

F. Procedures

1. Reservations are first-come, first-served.

2. All groups must apply through Meeting & Conference Services.

3. The Student Union is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

4. Noncompliance may result in cancellation and loss of privileges.

Questions? Contact Meeting & Conferences at (405) 744-5232 or meetings@okstate.edu.