Campus Installation Requests

The University Property Committee reviews requests for all permanent installations, installations that require the University to supply infrastructure (such as electrical power), installations that occupy a prominent campus location even temporarily, and any installation that signals University support or endorsement for a cause or organization.

Examples of installations covered by this policy include:

  • public art
  • distinctive memorials
  • flags
  • banners
  • temporary student installations associated with coursework

Installations not covered by the policy include:

Temporary Student Installations Associated with Coursework Procedures

Submit a student installation request

  1. The student proposing the installation will work closely with the faculty, or other appropriate supervisor, to ensure the pedagogical value and aesthetic merits of the installation.
  2. At least two weeks — three weeks recommended — prior to the anticipated install date, the student will submit a Permission for Installation form (available at the UPC website) to the Facilities Department (facilities@colgate.edu), signed by the student and their supervisor.  This form asks for a brief description of the installation, the location and timing (install and removal dates) of the installation, and any special assistance the installation may require.
  3. This form will be circulated to the Director of Facilities Operations and the Associate Vice President for Facilities for approval.
  4. The UPC chair, and if necessary the full UPC, will also review the proposal in light of the following considerations:
    1. Will this project leave any long-term physical trace on Colgate properties or the wider community beyond Colgate?
    2. Does the proposed installation advance Colgate’s mission, or contribute to any of the Thirteen Goals of a Colgate education?
    3. Does the proposed installation promote (or at least not impede) Colgate’s goal of being an inclusive learning environment?
  5. The UPC chair or a member of Facilities may reach out to the proposing student and their supervisor to discuss any potential issues with the installation related to the considerations above.
  6. The UPC chair will then communicate a recommendation to the Associate Vice President for Facilities who is ultimately responsible for the approval decision.

Other Installations

  1. The person or entity proposing an installation will email a statement to the UPC at least 5 weeks prior to the planned installation date. The statement should:
    1. describe the installation
    2. indicate whether it is temporary or permanent.
    3. address the pedagogical value of the installation and its aesthetic merits
    4. identify the demands it will place on University resources (e.g. services from facilities or campus safety).
    5. note any safety issues raised by the installation,
    6. and clarify who will own the installation; who will pay for its installation, maintenance and removal; what its monetary value is; whether it is insured, and who bears the risk of insuring it.
  2. The UPC will evaluate the proposal in light of these questions:
    1. Does the proposed installation advance Colgate’s mission, or contribute to any of the Thirteen Goals of a Colgate education?
    2. For a memorial, is the installation consistent with the policies of Institutional Advancement?
    3. For a permanent installation, how will it affect other stakeholders (e.g., faculty and staff in nearby offices, student residences, existing use of space)? What plans do the project proposers have for discussing the installation with stakeholders, getting feedback, and working toward a sustainable solution?
    4. For permanent public art installations, is the proposed location consistent with the most current campus master plan
    5. Does the proposed installation conflict with other uses of the location?
    6. Does the proposed installation promote (or at least not impede) Colgate’s goal of being an inclusive learning environment?
    7. Are there any other considerations not addressed above about which the committee should be aware?
  3. After discussion of these questions, the UPC will issue a recommendation with supporting reasons to the University President for their decision. ​​​​​​​

The UPC will evaluate permanent installations more rigorously than temporary ones. The committee will be mindful of the University’s recently-enacted policy on academic freedom and freedom of expression: our purview is not all displays or public expression on campus, but only those expressions that require an investment of University resources and (especially) those that involve University endorsement of the display.