Non-Solicitation Policy

Introduction

Policy Statement

Washington and Lee University ("W&L" or "the University") is committed to providing a safe and secure learning and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on all campus properties. W&L has implemented this non-solicitation policy to avoid disruption of operations and the disturbance of students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and to set rules for the sale of goods and services on property owned or controlled by W&L.

Applicability

This policy applies to all students, faculty, employees, visitors, vendors, outside organizations, as well as anyone else on property, owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the University.

Definitions

"Solicitation" means distributing materials or seeking funds or support, through verbal, written, electronic or other means, and can include activities such as:

requesting money, signatures, contributions, membership in or support for any organization,
posting or distributing materials such as flyers, booklets, pamphlets, petitions, or similar items.

"Commercial Solicitation" means selling, advertising, marketing, offering goods or services, or engaging in conduct for profit or economic benefit using W&L resources or on property owned or controlled by W&L.

Policy

I. Third-Party Solicitations

W&L generally prohibits Solicitation and Commercial Solicitation by non-employees and non-students on campus, or on property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the University.

The University may grant exceptions to this policy for its vendors, others doing business with the University, or where the solicitor is connected to a University-sponsored charitable or community activity and receives prior approval by an authorized University employee representative. For Commercial Solicitation exceptions:

University Approval. If a good or service for the benefit of students, staff, or faculty is recognized and not in conflict with University providers, upon the approval of the University Store Director, the Assistant Director of Student Activities may approve an on-campus sale in a specified location on a specified date and at a specified time.
Standard Commission is Paid to the University. A commission of 25 percent of gross sales must be paid to the general revenues of the University. Sales by approved outside vendors will be processed through the University Store registers. Only the Vice President for Finance/Treasurer may approve deviations from this standard.
Approved Location. The only approved locations for such solicitations or sales are inside the Elrod Commons (coordinated with the Assistant Director of Student Activities) and at the University Store (coordinated with the University Store Director). In extraordinary circumstances, a deviation may be granted by the Vice President for Finance/Treasurer or Vice President for Student Affairs (e.g. Community Festival, Student Flea Market).
Compliance with Applicable Laws. Each approved vendor must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and ordinals, including but not limited to Lexington ordinances regarding peddling and soliciting and state and local sales taxes requirements.

II. Students

All Solicitations and Commercial Solicitations on campus or on property owned or operated by W&L by student organizations that have been officially recognized by the University must be registered with the Assistant Director of Student Activities, and must conform to reasonable community standards (e.g., no profanity or obscenity). Those permitted to solicit under this policy are fully responsible for transporting their own goods to and from the specified location, for cleaning the area used for solicitations or sales, and for providing an accounting of gross receipts.