The ISU Atheist and Agnostic Society planned to pass out fliers door to door in the dorms at the beginning of the semester, but the group first decided to check the rules regarding flier distribution.
“In the first week back to school there were lots of people handing out fliers everywhere on campus in many different spots,” said Nicholas Davis, president of the society. “I just think we should be more responsible on our way to scheduling space on campus.”
The Department of Residence has a policy regarding advertising in residence halls and apartments on campus.
Students and organizations at Iowa State are not permitted to post fliers in residence halls and apartments.
Students and organizations are also not allowed to go door to door in the residence halls, according to the Residence Hall Policy Handbook.
“Our space is only for residents and their guests,” said Peter Englin, director of the Department of Residence. “They’re not for public walking and access.”
While the ISU Atheist and Agnostic Society wasn’t able to distribute its fliers door to door, Davis said he understands the rules and is happy to follow them.
“I think we should respect students’ space better,” Davis said. “We handed out our fliers in the free speech zone in front of the library and in Memorial Union before, but this was our first attempt to hand out fliers door to door.”
Soliciting in the dorms is prohibited not only to keep the areas safe, but also to prevent from playing favorites.
“Lots of people want to have access, and if we let Jeff’s Pizza go through the whole residence hall sending coupons, we have to let any other organization,” Englin said. “We could not regulate what organization could have the access to our residence halls and which could not.”
Despite the policy, the Department of Residence has received complaints from residents on campus in regard to people and organizations soliciting door to door, Englin said.
Davis is just happy that the ISU Atheist and Agnostic Society decided to first check the policy before passing out fliers door to door.
“Luckily we didn’t do anything against their policy,” Davis said. “I think it is pestering people when you don’t do things in a neat and organized way. I totally understand why [the Department of Residence does] it.
“It is reasonable because through that way they can filter what may be put up.”
Fliers or not, there are still many ways to reach students.
Englin said house representatives will decide which materials to post and where to post those materials.
“But we do not guarantee the materials you gave us will be posted or announced,” Englin said.
If an organization feels the need to send information to each resident on campus, then it can mail the fliers.
Each house has a mailbox that is frequently checked by house cabinet officers, and public bulletin boards exist in each entry or common area.
“We are expected to construct a safe and private home for students,” Englin said.
For more information regarding advertising in residence halls and apartments, visit the Department of Residence website at housing.iastate.edu.
