Building Policy Manual: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Building Policy Manual

The Student Union and the University Center are a managed, multi-use facilities utilized by NKU students, faculty, staff and the community. The Student Union/University Center includes a variety of campus offices and services including food service and catering, the bookstore, PNC Bank, All Card services, and meeting spaces.

Mission

The Student Union/University Center serves as the campus community center for students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests of Northern Kentucky University. These facilities facilitate the mission of the college experience by providing opportunities for members of the university community to participate in a variety of programs and services that enhances learning and fosters an appreciation for college life and diversity.

Operating Policies

The Student Union and the University Center are managed facilities. Specific policies have been developed to assist the Student Union/University Center staff with the daily operations of the facilities. These policies are not all-inclusive and do not limit the staff from making decisions or establishing additional policies based upon unique needs and/or circumstances. All policies were created with the intent to provide for long-term care and maintenance of the facilities.

Failure to comply with any policy or guideline outlined in this manual and/or any verbal or written requests from the staff may result in action being taken by the staff to deny privileges, refer to proper authorities, and/or access appropriate charges.

Requests for exceptions to any of the Student Union/University Center policies should be referred to the Director of the Student Union, or their designee.

Alcohol

Alcohol is not permitted in the Student Union/University Center, except during approved catered events. Individuals that are intoxicated will be asked to leave the facility or risk arrest.

Animals

Only service animals that are properly identified as such by a collar, bandana or harness are permitted in the building. No other animals or personal pets are permitted in the building at any time.

Bicycles, Hoverboards, and Scooters

Bicycle racks are provided outside the building. Bicycles, recreational motorized moped/scooters, or motorcycles may not be chained to any other railings, furniture or displays. Bikes may not be left in public or private area where they will impede traffic flow into the building. Bicycles, recreational motorized mopeds/scooters, hover boards etc. are not permitted in the building.

Building Use

The Student Union/University Center will support the mission of NKU by providing space for co-curricular programs and events, but it is not an academic building. Academic classes and on-going academic mentoring or tutoring organized by departments will not be scheduled to take place in the University Center/Student Union.

Catering and Food Service

Chartwells Dining Services and Pepsi Cola are the only approved food service and beverage providers allowed in the Student Union/University Center. Food and beverages from other sources may not be brought into meeting rooms or other event spaces in the Student Union/University Center. Groups that violate this policy may lose their room reservation privileges. Event catering may be booked by calling (859) 572-7782. Any exemptions to this policy need to be made in writing to Andy Meeks, Director of Business Operations and Auxiliary Services, fourteen (14) days in advance of the event.

Collection Boxes (clothing, book drives, holiday giving trees, etc.)

NKU departments and student organizations wishing to collect items such as clothing and books for donation to a charitable organization, must receive approval for placing collection boxes in or around the Student Union/University Center. Collection boxes must be marked with the items to be collected, the name of the charity, and the name of the sponsoring NKU organization. The Student Union staff will work with each organization to determine the best location for the collection box and the collection time period. The Student Union/University Center is not responsible for stolen items.

Credit Card Solicitation

Credit Card vendors and solicitation is not permitted in or around the Student Union/University Center.

Cleaning/Damage Fees, Theft, Vandalism

In addition to rental fees, labor charges will be assessed when an excessive amount of cleaning is required to return the areas utilized to a condition adequate for continued use. Extra charges will be assessed damages resulting from chewing gum, candle was, or misuse of any furnishings or equipment requiring repairs or replacement. Users will be notified in writing of all damages and charges. Assess labor and damage fees must be paid in full. Persons responsible for any acts of damage, vandalism to the premises, or unauthorized removal of items from the Student Union/University center will be referred to the appropriate authorities and will be held financially accountable for their actions.

Decorations

Digital Signage

Currently, if you wish to display your registered NKU group’s or department’s event please submit your information including desired start and end dates at least five business days in advance of the desired posting date. We accept photos, graphics, and powerpoint slides in the following formats: PPT, PPTX, PNG, TIFF, JPEF, FIG, AND SMP. For full-page graphics we recommend TIFF or JPEG images formatted to 1024x768 pixels. Please contact a DSTV editor for content help, and animation or video requests at dstv@nku.edu. There is a maximum of 3 slides per event, any group may display up to 6 events at a time, meaning no more than 18 slides per group at one time. Designs incorporating no more than 600 characters per slide work best. For optimum readability, a font size of 24pt or higher is recommended. If a group reaches the six-event maximum, they must replace currently running slides with their new content. We reserve the right to format information in order to endure smooth and consistent signage operations. Slides can run no longer than two weeks at a time. After two weeks, the slide(s) will be discontinued. If your group desires longer continuous ad listings, they must visually update or replace the slide(s). The original slide(s) will be allowed to rerun only after a six week cycle has been completed. Slides for an individual occurrence can be run consecutively or randomly throughout the cycle. All listed events must take place on campus. Any offensive or vulgar materials will be refused. Listed events must include the NKU organization or department sponsoring the event. To submit your events email them to DSTV@nku.edu

Distribution of Literature

Literature may only be distributed in the Student Union/University Center from tables reserved through a student organization or campus department. All literature distributed must clearly identify the sponsoring organization or department. All individuals or organizations distributing literature will be held responsible for cleaning up litter resulting from its distribution. Distribution which involves shouting or physically approaching individuals is prohibited as is any interference with normal business or the free flow of traffic inside the building.

Disrupting Student Union/University Center Functions

Conduct which, by itself or in conjunction with the conduct of others, disrupts or impairs the performance of normal event functions is prohibited. If continued disruption occurs the individuals will be asked to leave or proper authorities will be called.

Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

An emotional Support Animal is an animal that, by its very presence, mitigates the emotional or psychological symptoms associated with a handler’s condition or disorder. The animal does not need to be trained to perform a disability-specific task. ESA’s are not legally protected to be in public buildings, and are not permitted in the Student Union or University Center.

Flammable Materials

Flammable materials may not be used anywhere in the Student Union/University Center. The burning of candles is also prohibited without documented approval by the professional staff.

Game Room Policies

Sitting, leaning, or lounging on the billiard tables are not permitted.
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
Userswill be held financially responsible for damaged or lost equipment
No running/horseplay in the game room.
Do not adjust TV’s or gaming systems. Please ask a staff member for assistance.
Please place all trash in the waste or recycling bins before you leave.
Food and drinks are allowed in the game room. However, please keep the items away from the gaming systems and playing surfaces.
Please do not move any furniture without the approval and/or assistance from the staff.
You can bring in your own games and controllers, but you have to rent the TV monitors.
Cash or Points from your NKU All Card are approved methods of payment. Credit cards are not accepted.
You must have a valid photo ID to rent any game, such as a college student ID or Driver’s license.
No one under the age of 18 is allowed in the game room without adult supervision or consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Anyone who chooses to disregard the policies above may be asked to leave the Game Room.

Literature Racks

Only NKU related or NKU sponsored publications many be placed in literature racks inside the Student Union. Placement and location of these racks will be identified by the Student Union staff.

Loading Dock

The Student Union loading dock is located on the southwest corner of the building. It may be accessed from Kenton Drive. The loading dock is intended for the use of persons or companies delivering items or picking up items in the Student Union only. Parking is only permitted in the loading dock area while the vehicle is being loaded and/or unloaded. Vehicles should move to a location away from the loading dock when the loading or unloading is complete.

Lost and Found

The Student Union second floor information desk serves as the campus lost and found. Lost items will be kept at the Information Desk for a maximum of one (1) month. Unclaimed items will be removed after 30 days.

Minors

Minors (individuals under the age of 18) unaccompanied by a supervising adult are not permitted to use the facility unless they are currently enrolled at NKU, are attending an event scheduled in the building, or are an invited guest of Northern Kentucky University.

Posting of Publicity Materials

Posters and flyers may only be posted on designated bulletin boards throughout the Student Union. All material needs to be stamped at the information desk prior to being hung; there are no public boards in the Student Union. Posting is prohibited on any concrete, painted, wood, or glass surface.

Pyrotechnics / Fog / Smoke / Fire

Equipment or substances that produce a pyrotechnic explosion, fog, smoke, or fire are prohibited inside or around the Student Union/University Center.

Responsibility for Personal or Organizational Property

The Student Union/University Center is not responsible for loss, theft or damage of personal or organizational property. All guests to the building should take appropriate care of such items.

Service Dogs

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are defined as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities”, and they are allowed to be wherever the general public is permitted.

Shipping and Receiving Guidelines

If shipping any product or materials, please clearly label the package with your name, company name, telephone number and the person who is to receive the package.
If shipping any product or materials for a conference here in the Student Union, the address is 20 Kenton Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099. We do not have a secure area to store shipped packages, therefore, they can only arrive on the day of your conference unless a private room has been secured prior to your event. Those packages should have the name of the recipient, company name, phone number, date of the conference and the name of the Student Union/Northern Kentucky University representative coordinating the conference. Also remember to plan accordingly for pick up of packages after the conference has been completed.
The Student Union is not responsible for moving packages from the loading dock to the final conference location without prior discussion between the client and the Student Union professional staff. Truck drivers must assist with on-site relocation of packages to designated area at the time of delivery.
The Student Union is not responsible for packages shipped or received. We do not inspect the packages and will not be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged packages.
All loading in and storage of road cases associated with a conference or event must occur through the loading dock. Please do not block the hallway tunnel or loading dock area at any time. There must be a minimum of a four foot accessible pathway through any given area to allow the movement of university equipment, food shipments or catering service. Any storage of road cases must be approved by Student Union staff.
Please close all loading dock doors behind you as you enter or exit the building to reduce airflow from escaping to the outside.

Shoes and Shirt Requirement

For health and safety reasons, all persons entering the Student Union/University Center must wear proper attire, which includes shirts and shoes. Persons not wearing proper attire will be asked to leave the premises.

Skateboards and Skates

The use of skateboards, in-line skates, roller blades and shoe skates are prohibited within the Student Union/University Center.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited within the Student Union/University Center. Northern Kentucky University is a tobacco free campus. There are no designated areas on campus that allow any tobacco products to be utilized. Smokeless tobacco is not permitted on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.

Storage

Short or long term storage of any items used for your event must be arranged with the Student Union/University Center staff at least one week prior to your event and may result in appropriate fees.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs are trained to provide affection and comfort, and have no rights to enter an animal restricted area. As it pertains to the Student Union and University Center, therapy dogs are only permitted at events in which the therapy dog organization has been vetted by Risk Management and approved by Student Union staff.

Vendors

All vendors your organization has contracted to provide service(s) for your event must be shared with the Student Union/University Center staff. The vendor’s company name, personal contact and phone number must be provided at least one week prior to your event. They must follow the policies and procedures listed above and can direct any questions to the Student Union/University Center staff.

Student Union: Policies & Procedures

Building Policy Manual

Building Policy Manual