Regulations for Student Activities and Extracurricular Activities
The regulations in this chapter apply to all Yale undergraduates. Additional regulations particularly relevant to registered undergraduate organizations have been compiled in a manual by the Committee on Undergraduate Organizations and have been approved by the dean of Yale College. (This manual appears on this Web site as appendix D, Manual for Registered Undergraduate Organizations.) Other regulations pertaining to social functions, whether sponsored by registered undergraduate organizations or by other students or student organizations in Yale College, have been approved by the Yale College Dean's Office and the Council of Masters. (These regulations appear in Regulations on Social Functions.)
A. Registration of undergraduate activities
Any undergraduate organization that conducts meetings periodically or sponsors activities on the campus of Yale University, that provides a service, or that raises funds within the University for charitable purposes must submit an online application for registration at www.yale.edu/ug-orgs or register with the Yale College Dean's Office each year. (For additional details, see appendix D, Manual for Registered Undergraduate Organizations, section B, "Registration of undergraduate organizations.")
B. Use of the Yale name and trademarks
The Yale name and certain trademarks associated with the University are protected by copyright law. Any use by undergraduates of the Yale name or these trademarks in the title or caption of a publication or an organization or the like, or their use on any item or product to be distributed or sold by an individual or an organization, must be approved by the secretary of the University or the secretary's duly authorized agents, and under such restrictions and explanations as they may impose or require. Applications to use the Yale name must be made to the dean of Student Affairs, 105 SSS.
C. Use of University facilities
If an undergraduate individual, group, or organization wishes to use University space or property for a meeting, lecture, or other activity, the appropriate administrative office in charge of that facility or space must approve the request. (See appendix D, Manual for Registered Undergraduate Organizations, section H, "Use of University facilities." See also Regulations on Social Functions.)
Organizers of events and activities using theatrical elements (e.g., scenery, lighting, staging, seating risers, backdrops, tenting, props, and costumes) whether on or off campus will need to complete the form provided by the Office of Undergraduate Productions. Inspections will be made by that office and the Yale Fire Marshal's Office.
D. Events on the Old Campus, Cross Campus, or Hewitt Quadrangle ("Beinecke Plaza")
Students who wish to plan an activity, performance, or event on the Old Campus, Cross Campus, or Hewitt Quadrangle involving amplification, nonprofit solicitation, or exhibits must secure permission in advance from the dean of Student Affairs for an event on the Old Campus, or from the Office of the President of the University for an event on Cross Campus or Hewitt Quadrangle. Because of the legal drinking age in Connecticut, no permission will be given for the serving of alcoholic beverages in these spaces. Students wishing to reserve the use of the Old Campus, Cross Campus, or Hewitt Quadrangle for other events should consult the dean of Student Affairs (for the Old Campus) or the Office of the President of the University (for Cross Campus or Hewitt Quadrangle). Any activity conducted on the Old Campus, Cross Campus, or Hewitt Quadrangle should reflect respect for University property and the rights of others. Application for the use of these spaces must be made at least twenty-four hours in advance of a weekday event and forty-eight hours in advance of a weekend event.
E. Events in the residential colleges
The Council of Masters has issued the following guidelines concerning the use of general access areas in the residential colleges:
1. Use of a general access area of a residential college may take place only if advance permission has been granted by the master of the college.
2. Permission may be granted at the discretion of the master for functions or activities sponsored by student organizations that are registered with the Yale College Dean's Office or by student groups that are associated with the particular college. Any out-of-pocket expenses, as for special janitorial or security services, shall be borne by the sponsoring group.
3. Permission to hold private functions in the residential colleges shall not be granted to individuals or groups not affiliated with Yale University.
4. All student events held in the residential colleges or college annexes where alcoholic beverages are served must comply fully with the policies set forth in Regulations on Social Functions and Yale College Regulations on Alcoholic Beverages.
Each registered undergraduate organization including Student Activities Fee recipients is fully responsible for its own finances. These responsibilities include the submission of original receipts and account reconciliation.
G. Solicitation in colleges and other undergraduate buildings
Undergraduate organizations wishing to solicit in the residential colleges or on the Old Campus must secure permission from the Office of the Council of Masters at least twenty-four hours in advance. Permission for solicitation may be granted to representatives of Yale organizations registered with the dean of Student Affairs. Solicitation for commercial purposes, except those by accredited Student Agencies, is prohibited. Solicitation in University buildings is limited to two general areas: Commons Dining Hall and the residential college common rooms. Solicitation in the post office, Woolsey Hall Rotunda, and other campus buildings is not allowed.
Certain kinds of solicitation in Commons Dining Hall and in residential college common rooms are permitted, among them the following: (a) to seek contributions for charitable or religious purposes; (b) to obtain signatures for petitions on matters of concern to Yale students; (c) to distribute questionnaires of a noncommercial nature; (d) to sell tickets of admission to benefit performances of plays or musicals held on University property; (e) to sell regularly issued student publications.
The University has made available appropriate space for postering and expects students to use this space and to respect the inviolability of other University property. Other forms of publicity, such as banners, are not permitted on college or University gates. Posters may not exceed a size of 8.5 by 11 inches. Their use must be confined to regular bulletin boards, kiosks, and display cases provided for that purpose. Postering elsewhere is prohibited. No more than one poster announcing the same activity may be placed on the same bulletin board or in the same area. The name of the individual or organization responsible for the poster should be clearly printed on the poster. Postings in the residential colleges must have the approval of the respective masters' offices. Posters must be removed after the event they announce has taken place.
Staples, scotch tape, and masking tape of any variety are damaging and may not be used on any Yale property. Thumb tacks or pushpins should be used on bulletin boards, but may not be used on any interior or exterior woodwork.
Continued violation of these regulations may result in an organization's loss of official recognition and consequent loss of funding opportunities. Students or organizations may also be charged for any necessary repairs to damaged University property resulting from improperly posted notices.
In-line skates (Rollerblades) are damaging to floors and are prohibited from the interior of all Yale buildings.
Cellular phones and pagers are distracting to other students and to faculty. They may not be used in classrooms, lecture halls, libraries, or common spaces and must be turned off during examinations. (See also appendix F, Cheating, Plagiarism, and Documentation, section B, "Cheating on examinations.")
No undergraduate may undertake to represent any commercial interest or to operate any business on the campus without securing prior permission from the dean of Student Affairs.
Only student businesses operating in conjunction with the Associated Student Agencies will be considered for space on campus or charging privileges with Student Financial Services. The Agencies are formally recognized and sanctioned by the University officers and trustees. Control is maintained through the Associated Student Agencies Council, which consists of representatives of the faculty, administration, and student body.
All undergraduates interested in employment with existing Agencies or in organizing new enterprises are encouraged to contact the business manager of the Associated Student Agencies at 246 Church Street.
Registered undergraduate organizations may be required to maintain liability insurance naming Yale University as additional insured. Detailed information about insurance coverage and requirements will be found in Appendix D, Manual for Registered Undergraduate Organizations.
