Over the past few months, Case Western Reserve University has reviewed and updated several policies to provide clarity and address gaps in existing guidelines. Developed with feedback from and collaboration with student government leaders, Faculty Senate and the Staff Advisory Council, these policies reflect a collective effort to support effective communication, advocacy and community engagement.
In recent messages to students, faculty, staff and postdocs, Provost Joy Ward, Vice President for Human Resources Carolyn Gregory and Vice President for Student Affairs Travis Apgar shared key points and clarifications from the new and updated policies:
Advocacy and Spirit Wall Policy
The new policy combines two previously separate guidelines to clarify usage of the walls near Eldred Hall (Advocacy Wall) and Tinkham Veale University Center (Spirit Wall). This policy outlines what each wall should be used for, who may use each wall, how to post and how to remain in compliance.
Students in good standing can use the Advocacy Wall to express and advocate for issues that are important to them, and the Spirit wall to draw attention to campus events and activities planned and sponsored by student groups in good standing with CWRU. Students and student groups using these walls must follow specific guidelines and complete the required forms.
Student organization recognition and standing
This new clarification explains the benefits afforded to recognized student groups in good standing versus those that are informal, inactive, becoming recognized or not in good standing. Such benefits include university funding and resources, an official CWRU website, room reservation system access, use of the university name and more.
Tabling Policy
This policy unifies various tabling policies for locations across campus into one with consistent rules and procedures, and provides details on who may table, where they can do so, how to reserve spaces and the rules they must follow.
Posting Policy
Updates to this policy standardize campus guidelines on where and how informational and promotional materials can be displayed or chalked across campus. The posting policy does not impact a faculty member’s rights to post materials in connection with approved academic courses/programs. The Faculty Senate and Student Presidents’ Roundtable will continue to review the Posting Policy, and the university will update this version when these reviews are completed.
The tabling and posting policies—which apply to faculty, staff, students and postdocs—also provide information on violations or non-compliance, including activities that conflict with the Freedom of Expression Policy, the Student or Employee Code of Conduct, and the Policy on Political Activity, among others.
All members of the campus community are encouraged to read the full policies to ensure they understand and comply with these updated guidelines.