Washington State University
BUSINESS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

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Use of University Property

WSU facilities and equipment are for official use only subject to the limited exceptions. WSU property includes all University supplies, equipment, facilities, and real property.

Anyone may use University property in accordance with established university procedures. See 20.40 and the Washington State University Facility Use Regulations. (WAC 504-34).

Employees may use University property in conformance with patent and copyright policies.

State of Washington law prohibits the use of University property for personal gain. (RCW 42.52.160)

University employees may not borrow or use University property for purposes unrelated to official University activities.

WSU employees may not authorize the free use of University property under their control to anyone for purposes unrelated to official WSU activities.

If injuries occur during unauthorized and unofficial use of University property, the employee may be ineligible for Worker's Compensation benefits. In addition, the employee may be held individually liable in the event of injury to a third person or damage to property.

Student use of University property must conform with provisions of the Student Handbook.

Guidelines on Political Activity is available in the Office of Government Relations.

WSU facilities, equipment, or services may not be used for political activity unless the facility, equipment, or service is customarily rented to non-University customers. The political customer pays the usual rate and the usual restrictions apply. Exceptions to these rules are a political forum and open-forum areas. (RCW 42.17.130)

See 20.40 to rent WSU property.

WSU facilities may be used for a political forum without charge if all candidates for a particular office or all interests in a particular ballot initiative are given an equal opportunity to state their position and if the forum has a WSU sponsor.

Sponsors may be a WSU organizational unit or an official campus organization.

Areas of the University traditionally treated as open-forum areas may be used for any political activity subject to existing restrictions and approval. (WAC 504-32 and 504-34)

The Terrell Mall, information kiosks, and the entry area at the west end of the Compton Union Building are examples of open-forum areas which may be used for political activity subject to space, time, and notice limitations.

Obtain approval to use open-forum areas from the Facilities Use Committee. Contact the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The regulations adopted for student organizations regarding advertising are applied to WSU political advertising, signs, posters, and handbills. These regulations are WAC 504-28-050 which is in the Student Handbook available at Student Affairs.

Public address systems may be rented from Academic Media Services for use Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. Exceptions may be made by the Facilities Use Committee.

Discreet and considerate use in the vicinity of the hospital is expected.

A police permit is required for a public address systems on a moving vehicle.

Soliciting partisan campaign funds on state property is prohibited by state law. (RCW 42.17.130)

Employees shall not use the WSU Mailing Services for outgoing political mail or interdepartmental political mail. See 80.20, 80.21, and 80.24.