Office of Academic Engagement The Commons Student Center: Policies The Commons, Room 210

Student Center Policies

Free Speech

Free speech activities are subject to the regulations and requirements of the Washington Administrative Codes (WAC). For quick reference a few WACs are highlighted below.

WAC 504-33-015: Definitions.

(4) “Limited public forum areas” means those areas of each campus available as places for expressive activities protected by the first amendment, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. At each university campus, the limited public forum areas are all university facilities, with the exception of the interior or immediate vicinity of university facilities used to support university research, academic instruction, or health services.
WAC 504-33-025: Use of limited public forum facilities.

(1) Groups and individuals may use the university’s limited public forum areas for those activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States, subject to the requirements set forth in chapter 504-33 WAC. (2) Notice. The group or individual desiring to use a limited public forum area to engage in first amendment activities is requested to provide notice of the intended use of the desired limited public forum area as follows: (a) At the Pullman campus, notice to the campus police. See WAC chapter 504-33 for additional policies regarding Notice, Timing of Notice, Distribution of Materials, Sound Amplification, Special Regulations, etc.

Fundraisers

As part of a fundraiser, WSU Departments and Student Organizations may sell merchandise within the Commons provided the following:

• The Department/Organization owns the merchandise prior to selling it (so as not to merely be fronting for a private/commercial business). For example, Krispy Kreme doughnuts or bake sale items are generally approved items.
• Student Organizations must register their fundraising event with the Office of Student Involvement.
• Any food or product distributed needs to be approved and should not compete with primary food or product provided by University Catering, Compton Union vendors, or vendors that have a contractual agreement with WSU.
• Fundraiser must take place in conjunction with a Commons space reservation.

Lost and Found

All items left in the Commons will be brought to the lost and found located in the Facilities and Administration office. Items that exceed a value of $25 will be turned over to Public Safety, all other items will be removed after 30 days. Commons staff will tag the items with the date and location of where it was found.

Smoking and Tobacco

In accordance with the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act of 1985 (chapter70.160RCW) and in recognition of the executive order establishing governor’s policy on smoking in state facilities, smoking or other tobacco usage is not permitted within the Commons or within 25 feet of the building entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes. This policy includes any cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette, e-cigarette/cigar/pipe, waterpipe (hookah) and smokeless or spit tobacco, dissolvable tobacco, snuff or snus.

Animals

Animals/Pets are not allowed in the building except for certified/official service animals. Other exceptions would include animals for programmatic purposes (e.g. Birds of Prey) provided that they have been pre-approved by Commons Administration and Environmental Health & Safety.

Hours of Operation

Academic Year Hours

Mon – Thur 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m
All services are available virtually on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Summer Hours

Mon – Thurs 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All services are available virtually on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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