ADVERTISING FOR STUDENT ATTENDANCE

• 1.0 Purpose
• 2.0 Policy
• 3.0 Definitions
• 4.0 References
• 5.0 Approvals and Revisions

1.0 Purpose

This policy describes the general guidelines for advertising for student attendance.

2.0 Policy [Top]

Advertising is defined as making known by public notice or promoting the qualities of an item, a program, or an institution by public notice. The University policy on advertising for student attendance is based on the Commonwealth of Virginia Appropriations Act restricting public funds used to advertise and promote student attendance. The State Appropriations Act states that public institutions of higher education shall not use public funds to pay for advertising in any medium to promote student attendance. The purpose of the advertising policy is to prohibit use of mass media or unsolicited distributions.

The major exception is catalogues, defined as information sources containing lists of names, courses, etc., in alphabetical or numerical order. As a minimum, to qualify as a higher education institution catalogue the document must contain:

• Admission requirements,
• Tuition and fee charges, and
• Course offerings.

Catalogues may/may not include the following as well:

CATALOGUES

MAY INCLUDE	MAY NOT INCLUDE
Faculty Information	Promotional Material
Program Requirements	Implied Guarantee of Job or Career Opportunities
University Policy	Selling or Marketing Techniques, Slogans, Approaches
General Regulations
Placement Experience
Address for more Information

In addition pamphlets and brochures may be distributed, but only as a substitute for or supplement to regular catalogues. The qualifications listed above for catalogues also apply to pamphlets and brochures.

Print media advertising for non-credit courses and public service offerings are permitted only when the related cost is borne by the users. Such advertising must either include the words "This publication is not printed at public expense," or state the funding source.

Exception to this policy must receive advance approval from the University Comptroller.

3.0 Definitions [Top]

4.0 References [Top]

5.0 Approvals and Revisions [Top]