Handbook of Operating Procedures

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

No solicitation shall be conducted on the campus of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ("University") unless permitted by this policy. The activities listed in the Permissible Solicitation Activities Guidelines shall not be deemed solicitations prohibited by this policy when conducted in accordance with this policy, with HOOP Policy 174 Speech and Assembly and with Rule 80103 of The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

All approved solicitation activities must be conducted in a manner that:

• does not disturb or interfere with the academic programs or administrative activities of the University or any program or activity conducted by or authorized by the University;

• does not interfere with entry to or exit from a building, structure or facility;

• does not interfere with the flow of pedestrians or vehicular traffic on sidewalks, streets, or at places of entry to and/or exit from property, buildings or facilities;

• does not harass, embarrass or intimidate the person or persons being solicited; and

• does not violate applicable state, federal or local laws or regulations.

II. DEFINITIONS

Solicitation is defined as:

• the sale, lease, rental, or offer for sale, lease, rental of any property, product merchandise, publication or service, whether for immediate or future delivery;

• an oral statement or the distribution or display of printed material, merchandise, or products designed to encourage the purchase, use, or rental of any property, product, merchandise, publication, or service;

• the oral or written appeal or request to support or join an organization other than a registered student or employee organization;

• the receipt of or request for any gift or contribution;

• the request to support or oppose or to vote for or against a candidate, issue, or proposition appearing on the ballot at any election held pursuant to state or federal law or local ordinances; and,

• the activities described in the Permissible Solicitation Activities Guidelines.

III. PROCEDURE

A. Approval of Solicitation Activities

Auxiliary Enterprises is responsible for coordinating the review and approval of solicitation on campus. For detailed procedural information and approval forms see the Auxiliary Enterprises Solicitation/Event Guidelines.

B. Reporting of Impermissible Solicitation Activities

Impermissible solicitation on campus by unauthorized agents should be reported immediately to the Vice President and Chief Auxiliary Enterprises Officer. Solicitation on campus by authorized agents or members of registered employee or student organizations conducted in a manner which violate this policy should also be reported immediately to the Vice President and Chief Auxiliary Enterprises Officer.

The Vice President and Chief Auxiliary Enterprises Officer will consult with the appropriate dean to investigate any authorized individual or registered organization that solicits in an unapproved manner. If, after reasonable investigation, it is determined that impermissible solicitation is being or has been conducted or permissible solicitation is being or has been conducted in a manner which violates this policy, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken as follows by the Vice President and Chief Auxiliary Enterprises Officer or the appropriate dean:

1. students and employees will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with University policy;

2. students' associations or registered student or employee organizations will be prohibited from solicitation for such period or periods of time as may be appropriate - in the case of repeated violations, the registered status of the organization may be cancelled or other appropriate penalties may be imposed.

C. Advertisement on Community Bulletin Boards

Students and employees may post advertisements for roommates, subleases and sales of used goods the seller has personally owned and used on specified community bulletin boards subject to the authority and approval of the appropriate dean or unit head or the Vice President and Chief Auxiliary Enterprises Officer. Any posting considered to be obscene or libelous or that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action will be withdrawn at their discretion.

D. Disclosure of Solicitation by Student InterCouncil and Registered Student Organizations

Within 30 days after the beginning of each long semester, the Student InterCouncil and each registered student organization must file a statement with the Executive Vice President & Chief Academic Officer through the applicable student affairs office disclosing the sources and amounts of money obtained from solicitations and the purposes and amounts of the expenditures made during the preceding semester or summer session.

E. Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Vendors

The University's policy on interactions with pharmaceutical and medical device vendors will govern these types of interactions for affected employees and students. See Guidance on Industry Relationships for more information on these interactions.

IV. CONTACTS

• • Office of Legal Affairs (questions regarding the definition of solicitation)
  • 713-500-3268
  • legal@uth.tmc.edu
  • http://www.uth.edu/legal/contact-us.htm
• • Auxiliary Enterprises (questions regarding the approval of solicitation activities)
  • 713-500-8400
  • https://www.uth.edu/auxiliary-enterprises

---