Body
Unit Policy
Title
Carolina Housing: Media Policy
Introduction
Purpose
Scope
Policy
A. Photographs
Photo Release Policy
The University of North Carolina is a public university and often uses photographic images of public campus life, events, ceremonies and other activities to advance the mission of the institution. By visiting, registering at, or being employed by the University of North Carolina and being present in public settings, you authorize the use and reproduction by the University, or anyone authorized by the University, to any photographs taken while at the University of North Carolina, without compensation. All photo files are university property, solely and completely.
Resources
Use of Carolina Housing Photographs
All photographs taken with the consent of Carolina Housing are property of the University of North Carolina and are available for non-commercial use by University students, faculty and staff, and with prior approval, off-campus media outlets and publications may use them as well. Images should be credited as "UNC – Carolina Housing" in all print and electronic publications.
B. Advertising
Flyers and Posters
As part of our commitment to a Sustainable Carolina, Carolina Housing is limiting the number of external paper flyers/posters displayed in the residence halls.
Carolina Housing will no longer post paper flyers/posters from the campus community for display in the halls. To continue to facilitate resident access to information about important on-campus engagement opportunities, approved materials will be made available electronically through regularly distributed community newsletters.
All materials must be approved by Carolina Housing before they are included in the newsletters. Only materials from recognized student organizations in good standing and University departments and offices are permitted to submit materials for electronic distribution in the residence halls. Outside agencies or companies may not submit materials for electronic distribution in the residence halls.
Requirements for Shared Files
- Files may not be larger than 5×7 in. – please make sure to check all sizes before forwarding.
- Files must be in a JPEG file format. PDF versions will not be accepted, as they do not format correctly for our newsletters.
Carolina Housing, at its sole discretion, will review all submitted materials. Materials may not contain, advertise, or endorse conduct or events that would constitute violations of the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance, Carolina Housing policies, University policies and/or federal or state law.
To submit materials, please email Tarah Burnette, Office Manager for Residential Education, at tarahb@email.unc.edu. Please email at least five business days prior to your desired posting date.
It should be noted that Carolina Housing will continue to post materials regarding student health and safety, housing administrative processes, and housing/RHA sponsored events.
As a reminder, sliding promotional materials under individual room doors and in-person door-to-door canvasing are prohibited in the residence halls without prior approval.
Direct Mail to Campus Residents
Mailbox stuffing is prohibited on campus. To reach residents via direct mail, all mail pieces must be metered or affixed with postage and properly addressed for delivery through the US Postal Service.
Carolina Housing does not provide mailing labels or student campus addresses to any solicitors.
Solicitation
In general, no solicitation is allowed in the residence halls. This includes but is not limited to: posting promotional materials in or around the buildings, sliding promotional materials under individual room doors, and in-person door-to-door canvasing.
As outlined in the Community Living Standards, only recognized student groups are permitted to seek permission to canvass, sell, solicit or promote the sale of goods or services in the residence halls.
Before engaging in any solicitation activities, recognized student groups must meet the Facilities Use Policy and receive the written approval from the Executive Director of Carolina Housing.
Student Government Elections
Campaigning for campus student leadership positions must meet regulations set forth by the Elections Board of Student Government.
Email Distribution
Carolina Housing maintains an email distribution list for each residence hall on campus, and we diligently protect our email lists from promotional messaging and advertising.
We will not provide our residents' email addresses to another organization.
With the approval of an Assistant Director from Carolina Housing, we will occasionally forward email messages to residents from Campus Safety, the Residence Hall Association or other campus offices issuing critical information we deem relevant to campus residents, but we will not send emails on behalf of another organization.
Website Advertising
We currently do not accept banner ads or digital advertisements for our website.
Residence Halls Digital Displays
Carolina Housing manages the process for posting on the expanded network of digital signs located throughout the residence halls.
All materials must be approved by Carolina Housing before they are posted on the digital displays. Only materials from recognized student organizations in good standing and University departments and offices are permitted to submit materials. Outside agencies or companies may not submit materials for electronic distribution in the residence halls.
To maximize the impact of the digital signs, Carolina Housing must limit the number of slides in the rotation at any one time. As such, materials regarding student health and safety, housing/university administrative processes, large-scale campus events and housing/RHA sponsored events will be prioritized with all other submissions being considered on a first-come basis.
Carolina Housing, at its sole discretion, will review all submitted materials. Materials may not contain, advertise or endorse conduct or events that would constitute violations of the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance, Carolina Housing policies, University policies and/or federal or state law.
To submit materials for consideration, please email them to Emma Larivee, Social Media & Digital Content Coordinator, at elarivee@unc.edu at least two weeks prior to your desired posting date. Questions about this process should be directed to Emma Larivee via email.
Residential Communities Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards in lobbies, hallways, elevators, common spaces, laundry rooms, etc. of the residential communities are each independently managed by the Resident Advisors of that community.
Residents may contact their RA to express interest in collaborating with him/her to decorate their hall/wing's next bulletin board.
At this time, we do not have a procedure in place for distributing bulletin board kits or implementing uniform bulletin board content across campus.
C. Public Relations
General Information
Co-developed with the Office of University Counsel and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the Carolina Housing Professional and Student Employee Media Relations Policy assists Carolina Housing staff members to respond to media inquiries concerning matters related to their employment. Please note that this policy does not limit employees' ability to comment on their personal experiences, as long as the employee refrains from sharing confidential information about Carolina students or other University employees, including resident advisors.
The purpose of this policy is to assist Carolina Housing staff members to respond to media inquiries concerning matters related to their employment. Please note that this policy does not limit employees' ability to comment on their personal experiences, as long as the employee refrains from sharing confidential information about Carolina students or other University employees, including resident advisors.
Process and Expectations
Any media requests for a statement about a Housing matter (excluding non-confidential personal experiences or reflections) must be directed to the staff member's supervisor. The supervisor will then share the request with either the Director of Administrative Services or the Executive Director of Carolina Housing. These senior staff members will work directly with University Media Relations staff to determine an appropriate response.
This policy is not intended to limit employees' rights under the First Amendment to speak as private citizens.
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Email: housing@unc.edu.