Student Handbook

Purpose

To provide recognized student groups and UMaine departments the opportunity to display banners and flags representative of their organizations on the University of Maine campus. The University permits this activity on the UMaine Mall on a University installed pole specifically for such display. Banners and flags may not be draped or hung from surrounding buildings except where appropriate infrastructure has been installed to support this (ex. west entrance Memorial Union, west entrance Fieldhouse, etc.). Fogler Library and other campus facilities or locations with flag poles are not included in this policy.

Outdoor Banner Policy

The hanging and draping of banners or flags is permitted under the following conditions:

• Only University departments and officially recognized University student organizations in good standing are permitted to hang or drape banners or flags.
• Organizations planning to hang or drape banners on or in the Memorial Union or flags on the Mall must contact the Student Life Office prior to doing so. In order to ensure fair and equal opportunity for all groups, the requests must be submitted no less than one week before the day the banner or flag is to be hung. Organizations may reserve flag space for a maximum of one week per month.
• Indoor and outdoor banner space is available in and on the Memorial Union by contacting the Student Life Office, Room 315, Memorial Union, or 207-581-1406.
• The UMaine Mall is used for many activities such as eating outdoors, conversation, studying and recreation, also significant pedestrian traffic may be present. Therefore in order to provide for the health and safety of those using the UMaine Mall and other campus spaces, the hanging of banners and flags must meet the following:
  1. They may be hung only from the pole dedicated to such purpose, using the existing clips and hardware.
  2. They may be no larger than 10 feet wide by 8 feet tall. There can be no exceptions to this size limitation.
  3. They should be constructed of heavy cloth, heavy vinyl or heavy plastic, and properly sewn. Wind vents should be cut into the banner or flag to prevent the wind from damaging the banner, flag, or pole.
  4. They must have grommets in order to properly attach them using the clips provided on the pole.
  5. They must be hung with the long side running parallel to the ground. Banners and flags should not touch the ground. Any banner or flag that is too large or is sagging will need to be removed.
  6. Banners and flags must be hung on the pre-installed pole on the south end of the Mall or the approved spaces in and/or on the Memorial Union.
  7. No banners or flags can be placed on building roofs, over a campus road or roadway, or placed in such a manner as to impede the normal passage of foot, vehicular, bicycle or other traffic.
• The organization or department requesting the use of the UMaine Mall flagpole is responsible for all costs including the cost of the flag or banner itself, any damage caused by or done to their banner or flag, and any installation and/or removal costs.
• All banners or flags not removed by the end of business on the last day of the organization’s reservation may need to be removed by the University. Such organizations or departments may also then jeopardize banner and flag privileges for one semester.
• Advertising for commercial vendors unconnected to the University, or a University department or student organization shall not be permitted.
• Organizations or departments are responsible for knowing and adhering to University of Maine policies, rules and regulations. Failure to do so may result in the loss of the ability to hang banners or flags on campus for a period of time.

Recommendations

• Use exterior house paint so that rain or snow will not wash the text away.
• Use light colored banner materials for your banners so that the text may be easily seen.

Updated: August 2025