Auraria Higher Education Center

Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration

Administrative Policies and Procedures

Policy #27

Campus Signage

Approved: February 19, 2003

EVPA Signature:   

 

 

Policy #27

 

Campus Signage

 

Intent

  

The intent of this policy is to establish the role signage plays in creating an effective, consistent, orderly, high quality campus environment conducive to a collegiate atmosphere as described in the campus master plan. Signs can greatly impact the aesthetic value of any campus. They have an impact on students, faculty, staff, the community and visitors.  The policy establishes a process to ensure campus signage of all types is of high quality and in accordance with the goals and objectives of the campus master plan. The policy outlines the campus sign guidelines below which can be improved and further refined over time.

  

These Auraria Campus Sign Guidelines will provide specific design elements that will be required for the majority of signs including but not limited to signs for campus entries, monuments, buildings, interior non-assignable public spaces, exterior gathering spaces, kiosks, directional signs, maps, parking lots, RTD, and permanent events. All signs must meet the requirements set forth in the Auraria Campus Sign Guidelines.

 

Definitions

 

For purposes of this policy, the terms “sign” or “signage” applies to those objects which convey the following types of information:

 

Identification of physical features such as roads, entrances, buildings, parking lots and structures, and pedestrian circulation

Directions to or from campus destinations for vehicles and pedestrians

Posted bulletins, maps, event information

Parking, bicycle, skateboard, or other related regulations

Advertising

Donor Recognition

 

Outward orientation of any sign means public off-campus view.

 

Guidelines

 

  • All signs should be the minimum size necessary to meet their original intent. 

 

  • Any variations from these guidelines must be approved by the Division of  Facilities Planning and Use, and if denied by the Division, then appealed to the Campus Planning Council.

 

A.  Retail Commercial Signage

  1. Retail commercial signs may only be located in discrete spaces where the retail commercial venue operates.  This includes areas such as the Tivoli, the Event Center, sports/recreation fields, areas of public events, dining areas, and vending carts.

  1. Commercial signage is not allowed within the Lawrence Street Pedestrian Way, at campus entries, or any other primary academic use zone within the campus.

  1. Commercial signage may not be oriented “outward” toward the community.

B.  Banners/Special Events

  1. Each event wishing to display signage must get approval from Facilities Planning and Use prior to display. Banners or signs which do not have approval may be removed from the site.

  1. Event banners are allowed as long as the signs are oriented “inward” toward the campus. Banners may be located “outward” from campus only when approved by Facilities Planning and Use, or if appealed, the Campus Planning Council. 

  1. Event signs are temporary in nature and have a time limitation associated with their use. Banners left displayed beyond the approved time will be removed and destroyed.  If this occurs more than once, future signage requests by the offending party or group may be denied by Facilities Planning and Use.

  1. Non-approved flyers (or other similar signage) are prohibited unless located on designated kiosks and general use campus bulletin boards.  Kiosks are located near the Plaza and Central Classroom Buildings.

C.  Marquees

  1. Marquees must be oriented “inward” toward campus.

  1. Marquees are allowed for special events when warranted and in locations adjacent to student activities and athletic events.  Specific sites are those surrounding the Tivoli Student Union, the King Center, and the Event Center. 

D.  Commercial/Corporate Sponsorships 

  1. The name and/or logo of commercial or corporate event sponsors may appear on event signage allowed under the Marquee and Special Events sections above if the application is associated with a short term, temporary request only.

  1. These may not be visible from a public off-campus roadway.

  1. The display of corporate or commercial signs is limited to the duration of the event.

E.  Donors/Gifts with Signage Requests

  1. In the event there is a request for a sign by a donor, the request will be forwarded to Facilities Planning and Use for review.  The review will occur in cooperation with the Campus Planning Council and the Auraria Executive Director.

  1. Donor recognition signage must be in compliance with the Campus Master Plan.  A complete description and schematic design is required for permanent signage.

  1. Any donor/gift that includes signage must seek and receive separate approval from the Campus Planning Council or be part of the building design and construction review.

F.  Kiosks and Bulletin Boards

  1. Event promotion and/or advertising of any sort may be located on campus kiosks or non-departmentally designated general bulletin boards.

G.  Street Signs

  1. Street signs will be consistent with the Campus Sign Guidelines, and be in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

H.  Buildings

  1. Signs will be in accordance with the Campus Sign Guidelines and Architectural Guidelines.

  1. New signs must be approved by the Campus Planning Council as part of the building design approval process.

  1. Building signs must improve the way-finding on campus. 

I.  Temporary Signs

  1. Construction signs or any other temporary signs must comply with the Campus Sign Guidelines.

  1. Construction signs must be easily readable by campus patrons. 

  1. Temporary signs for special events must also comply with sign guidelines.

  1. When it appears temporary signs and location can be reused, the campus will require movable sleeves or other reusable attachment devices to be incorporated into the display system. 

J.  Pedestrian and Bikeways

  1. Smaller scale pedestrian and bikeway signs must be incorporated into the hierarchy and way-finding philosophy of the city and the campus Master Plan to help the transition of patrons from City walks and bike lanes in and out of the campus.

  1. Signs must be consistent with the City bikeway system. 

  1. Signs must follow the Campus Sign Guidelines and use the campus logo.  The use of the campus logo helps mark where the campus begins and ends. 

K.  Parking

  1. Signage for parking operations is governed by Campus Sign Guidelines.

  1. Parking signage will have distinct characteristics specific to parking operations.

L.  Maps

  1. Campus maps and their display are owned by AHEC and under the jurisdiction of Facilities Planning and Use.

  1. Location and type of maps are defined in the Campus Master Plan, Architectural Guidelines, and Campus Sign Guidelines.

M.  Other

  1. Other types of signage not mentioned above, will require a case-by-case approval by either Facilities Planning and Use, or upon appeal, the Campus Planning Council.

 

Application/Exemption

 

This sign policy is applicable to all signage for the Auraria Higher Education Center Campus.  However, upon the recommendation of Facilities Planning and Use, and with prior Campus Planning Council approval, the following types of signage MAY be exempt from this policy. 

 

  • Regulatory signs such as those governed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or the Department of Transportation. 

  • Off-site properties and program locations such as Dravo Building and 1380 Lawrence.   

  • Existing signs, prior to the new Campus Sign Guidelines, are NOT automatically grandfathered into acceptance and MAY be required to conform to this new policy.

 

Procedure/Approvals

 

All requests for new signage, including temporary signage, must be submitted to  Facilities Planning and Use.  Signage application forms are available at Facilities Planning and Use located at 1056 9th Street Park.  The phone number is (303) 556-8376.

 

Installation and Maintenance - As part of every request, a complete description of the plan for installation, operation and maintenance of the sign over its life-cycle is required.  This is an important factor in determining the sign’s approval.  Contact Facilities Management for early consultation to help determine the most appropriate way to ensure the proposed signage is of high quality.

 

Facilities Planning and Use will determine if the sign request complies with this policy.  Upon approval the sign may be posted.

 

In the event of disapproval by Facilities Planning and Use the applicant may, within 10 days of notification of disapproval, appeal to the Campus Planning Council.  The Campus Planning Council meets on a monthly basis and shall determine its procedures in hearing signage request appeals.  To contact the Planning Council call (303) 556-8376.

 

 

Step 1

Applicant prepares application and attaches any supporting information such as photos or examples that clarify the request. 

 

Step 2

Acquire appropriate Departmental/Institutional approval.  For example, authorization to use official institutional logos or seals should be acquired from the appropriate institution’s public relations office.

 

Step 3

he applicant submits materials to Facilities Planning and Use for consideration.

 

Step 4

Facilities Planning and Use reviews and approves or disapproves the application.  Applicant may appeal a disapproval to the Campus Planning Council within 10 days.

 

Step 5

The applicant, after approval, coordinates with AHEC Facilities Management for installation, maintenance (and removal, when applicable).

 

Step 6

The applicant will arrange for removal within the timeline established in the application.  

 

References

 

Auraria Campus Sign Standards at Facilities Management

Auraria Campus Master Plan at Facilities Planning and Use

Auraria Naming Policy at EVPA with Board Policies

City of Denver Comprehensive Plan

 

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