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Making and Confirming a Reservation

Student Organizations and University Departments:

  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 5000, all events must have a university sponsor. A university sponsor can be an officially listed student organization or a university department. Event Services requires that any Student Organization or University Department have at least two Authorized Contacts listed who are currently enrolled/employed at Virginia Tech. Authorized Contacts are members of a student organization or University department that have been approved to make reservations with Event Services and sign contracts/authorize payment on the behalf of their department/organization.
  • Need more information on Authorized Contacts? Please see the relevant resource:

Non-University Groups:

  • Career Recruiters:
    • Welcome to Virginia Tech and thank you for your time and commitment to recruiting Virginia Tech students, and for the great opportunities you offer! We are excited for the opportunity to assist with your recruitment efforts.
    • If you are interested in scheduling a career recruitment event, please review the relevant resource:
  • All other Non-University Group Requests:
    • Non-University Groups must secure a University Sponsor prior to submitting the request to utilize on-campus event venues. SECL does not provide suggestions or information to Non-University Groups on how to find a University Sponsor. It is the responsibility of the Non-University Group to already have a relationship established with a University Sponsor prior to requesting to come on campus. Student Organizations and/or University Departments partnering with a Non-University Group to host an event on campus are agreeing to be responsible for that group during their time on campus.
    • For more information on Non-University Group Event Requests, please review the relevant resource:

Reservation Request Deadlines:

  • Event Request Deadlines vary by venue or event type. Please ensure you are submitting your request in accordance with the appropriate deadlines for the best chance of securing your requested date/venue. If your request is submitted under the deadline, we will do our best to accommodate, however, certain services may not be available.
    • Major Entertainment Requests (Student Orgs only, Contracted Performer valued at or above $5,000) must be submitted 75 business days prior to the event date regardless of the venue.
    • Performance Venues must be submitted 30 business days prior to the event date
    • Ballroom/Multipurpose Venues must be submitted 20 business days prior to the event date 
    • Campus Common Space - Outdoor Event Requests must be submitted 20 business days prior to the event date
    • Auditorium/Lecture Hall Venues must be submitted 14 business days prior to the event date
    • Campus Common Space - Lobby or Tabling Requests must be submitted 5 business days prior to the event date.
    • Advertising Requests must be submitted 5 business days prior to the event date
    • Meeting Rooms can be requested up to 1 business day prior to the event date.

Current Reservation Period:

  • Once the Current Reservation Period opens (see above), Event Sponsors can submit requests for the below dates only. We are unable to accept any reservation requests beyond our current Reservation Period. No exceptions. PLEASE NOTE: Hours of Operation for Event Services managed facilities are typically Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. during the Academic Year. All buildings operate on a reduced schedule during Break Periods. Please check our Hours of Operation prior to submitting your request to ensure we can accommodate the request.
  • 2024-2025 Academic Year:
    • Summer Break 2024: May 13, 2024 – August 9, 2024
      • All SECL Facilities are closed on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day.
    • Fall Semester: August 10, 2024 - December 11, 2024
      • The last day of reservations for the Fall 2024 semester is December 11, 2024*
      • All SECL Facilities are closed for Thanksgiving from 12 p.m. on November 27 through 1 p.m. on December 1, 2024
    • Winter Break: January 2, 2025 - January 20, 2025
      • All SECL facilities are closed December 21, 2024 - January 1, 2025, January 4-5, 2025, and January 11-12, 2025.
    • Spring Semester: January 21, 2025 - May 7, 2025
      • The last day of reservations for the Spring 2025 semester is May 7, 2025*
    • Summer Break 2025: May 15, 2025 - July 31, 2025
      • All SECL Facilities are closed on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day.

Future Reservation Periods:

  • 2025-2026 Academic Year:
    • The Advance Reservation Request Period for the 2025-2026 Academic Year (August 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026) will open for one week tentatively scheduled for February 10th-16th, 2025. Official Dates: TBA in January 2025.
    • If you miss the Advance Reservation Request Period in February, requests will open for the year on June 2, 2025.
  • 2026-2027 Academic Year:
    • Reservation Request dates for 2026-2027 will be announced sometime in early 2026.

*Reservation Blackout Periods:

  • Event Services holds two reservation blackout periods per year to allow staff time to close out the previous semester’s reservations in a timely manner. During these blackout periods, the following restrictions apply to all current and potential Event Sponsors.
    • No events can occur between Reading Day and the end of Commencement each semester, unless the event is being hosted by a University Department and is directly connected to Virginia Tech's commencement activities. Service availability may be limited and cannot be guaranteed.
    • No new reservation requests can be made for any SECL facility or managed space between Reading Day and the end of Commencement each semester. This includes but is not limited to; requests for the upcoming break period, requests for the upcoming semester/academic year, etc.
    • Current Blackout Periods:
      • Fall Semester 2024: December 12, 2024 - December 23, 2024
      • Spring Semester 2025: May 8, 2025 - May 18, 2025

Break Period Reservations:

  • Student Engagement and Campus Life facilities operate on a reduced schedule during all official Virginia Tech break periods. All reservations that occur during a break period (Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and the Summer), must occur during our operating hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Hours are subject to change based on need during all break periods.

Advance Reservations:

  • Advance Reservations is a period during the spring semester, where the university community is able to request space for the upcoming academic year via the Advance Reservation Process. The requesting process will be open for one week with the dates being determined by Event Services (Tentatively scheduled for February 10th-16th, 2025). Once the dates have been officially set, all Authorized Contacts for University Departments and Student Organizations will be sent an email with detailed submission instructions. If you are a member of a Student Organization and will be graduating during the spring, please ensure that all Advance Reservation Requests are discussed with the next academic year’s board.
  • NOTE: we are unable to book any events beyond the upcoming academic year during the Advance Reservation period.
  • There are several different event venue options on Virginia Tech’s campus but not all are reserved by Event Services. Please review the Reservable Space Map prior to requesting space to ensure that the space desired is reservable and reserved by Event Services.
  • For more information and diagrams/photos of venues managed by SECL, please see the relevant resource:
  • Looking for a Campus Common Space that is not listed on the Reservable Space Map?
    • Unfortunately, the space you are attempting to reserve is not reservable. Please select a named Campus Common Space on the map instead.
  • If the location is listed as “Reserved as another Department”, please see the below resource to determine who you should contact to make a reservation:
  • Student Engagement and Campus Life spaces and equipment are available to different groups at different rates depending on the reserving party’s relationship with Virginia Tech. As an Auxiliary, SECL must generate revenue from event rentals and is unable to provide discounts in support of your programs.
  • Student Organizations are typically charged a reduced rate for use of university resources and facilities and University Department/Non-University Group are NOT eligible for this rate. Any University Department or Non-University Group desiring to pay the invoice of a student organization will be charged the appropriate rate for the paying party’s relationship with Virginia Tech. Any group misusing university rates may be prohibited from utilizing any Event Services facilities and resources for a period of up to one (1) year.
  • For more information about and an exact breakdown of charges, please see the relevant resource:
  • Event Services charges for event venue and equipment rental fees for all locations managed by Student Engagement and Campus Life as well as issues invoices for Production Services contracts. Fees for venues and equipment vary based on individual event needs, but in general our fees follow the linked pricing tables above.
  • Events are typically invoiced within 2-4 weeks of the conclusion of the last booking on the reservation. Invoices will be emailed to the 1st, and if applicable, 2nd Authorized Contact on the reservation.
  • Instructions on how to make complete payment for your reservation will be included in the invoice email.
  • Payment is due, in full, within 30 days of the invoice issue date. Please note: Non-receipt of emailed invoices is not a valid defense for non-payment, it is the responsibility of the Authorized Contact to see that payments are submitted in a timely manner. Payments are considered past due as of 31 days after the invoice date and are subject to scaling Financial Holds depending on how late a payment is. Accounts become delinquent AND sent to a Collections Agency after 91 days past due.

Accepted Payment Methods:

  • University Departments, University Chartered Student Organizations (UCSO) and University Student Life Programs (USLP)
    • All University Departments, UCSOs and USLPs will pay via HokieMart
      • Foundation Funds can be utilized to pay for Event Services invoices.
  • Registered Student Organizations (RSO)
    • Full Event Funding Awarded from the Student Organization Funding Boards
      • Invoice Payments for RSOs with full funding will be paid internally between Event Services and the Student Organization Funding Boards, no additional action is required by the RSO.
    • Partial Event Funding Awarded by one of the Student Organization Funding Boards
      • The partial Invoice Payments for RSO’s will be paid internal between Event Services and the Student Organization Funding Boards and an invoice with the remaining balance will be issued to the Organization
      • Payment for the remaining balance can be paid via credit/debit card or echeck through our secure online payment portal
    • NO Event Funding
      • Payment can be made via credit/debit card or echeck through our secure online payment portal.
  • Non-University Groups, Career Recruiters and Weddings
    • Payment can be made via credit/debit card or echeck through our secure online payment portal.

Meeting Rooms

  • Event Services manages meeting rooms in Squires Student Center and Johnston Student Center, each with varied layouts to accommodate different meeting styles and event needs. These spaces can be booked individually or can be utilized with a Major Venue reservation.
  • Please note that no additional equipment can be added to our meeting rooms and rooms must be reset to their original orientation at the conclusion of your reservation.
  • Authorized Contacts of University Departments and Student Organizations can make reservations for meeting rooms using the EMS Web App. If you are a Non-University Group, please see the “Who Can Make a Reservation” section above for more details.
  • If you would like to add a meeting room to an already existing reservation, please reach out to your Reservations Coordinator!

Major Venues

  • Event Services manages several large event spaces on campus, referred to as “Major Venues”. These spaces include ballrooms,auditorium/lecture halls and performance venues that can accommodate larger scale events than our basic meeting rooms. These venues can be booked individually or in conjunction with meeting rooms.
  • Authorized Contacts of University Departments and Student Organizations ccan make reservations for major venues using the EMS Web App. If you are a Non-University Group, please see the “Who Can Make a Reservation” section above for more details.
  • If you would like to add a Major Venue to an already existing reservation, please reach out to your Reservations Coordinator!
  • It is important to note that requests for Major Venues must be submitted within the correct deadline period. More complex requests can require additional time before the event. Please see the “Eligible Booking Periods and Request Deadlines” section for more information.

War Memorial Chapel

  • Most often reserved by student organizations and university departments and occasional non-university related groups for religious services, memorials, induction ceremonies, and weddings, the War Memorial Chapel is Virginia Tech’s only non-denominational chapel on campus.
  • The Pylons (or the Court) is also a reservable space. For more information on how to reserve the Pylons, please review the Campus Common Space section of the website.
  • Student Organizations and University Departments can submit a request for the War Memorial Chapel through the EMS Web App.
  • If you are hoping to host  your wedding at the War Memorial Chapel, please visit our wedding page for more information on how to submit a request:

Campus Common Space Events

  • Campus Common Space refers to the following spaces reserved by Event Services:
  • Please note; Event Services does not reserve outdoor spaces managed by Rec Sports, Athletics, The Inn at Virginia Tech or Moss Arts Center.
  • Please review the Reservable Space Map to determine if the space you are attempting to reserve is managed by Event Services prior to submitting the request. Locations reserved by other Virginia Tech departments are listed here. However, please note that not all areas on campus are considered reservable. If you are looking for a Campus Common Space that is not listed on the Reservable Space Map then the space you are attempting to reserve may not be reservable and/or we do not know who reserves it.
  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 5000, Campus Common Space events may not be continuous or repetitive in nature. All events are limited to three (3) consecutive days to allow other organizations to have at least two (2) consecutive days in the same week.

Please note the following:

  • Additional Location Specific or Activity Guidelines may apply.
  • An Event Sponsor who has reserved a Campus Common Space is entitled to exclusive use of that space during the reservation time.
    • Unscheduled or conflicting use of space during a reservation time may not be permitted, and individuals whose use conflicts with the scheduled use will be required to leave the area.
  • The individual basketball and volleyball courts are not reservable outside of the lawn/quad/field where they are located and are included in the reservation for these spaces.
  • The “Informational Tabling” locations are high traffic areas and as such large scale events cannot occur in these spaces.
  • If you need outdoor tables and chairs for your tabling event, this can be added to your request directly through the form for an additional fee.

Advertising

  • Event Services offers reservations for Banners and Donation Box spots in Squires Student Center and various A-Frame locations around campus. Use of advertising space is for Registered Student Organizations and University Departments only. Non-University Group may not advertise on campus, regardless of Sponsorship status.
  • Student Organizations and University Departments may request up to two advertising locations at any one time for the purposes of advertising their events, programs and initiatives.
  • Campus Signage Requests (outdoor “sail” flags, H-Frame/Wire signs, Light Pole Banners, etc.) are requested through the Campus Planning. Please reach out to Sandra Graham, Director of Campus Design and Jess Mackenzie, Wayfinding Designer for more information.
  • For more information regarding Banner and A-Frame sizing and requirements, please review our guidelines:

Required Event Details

  • All types of reservations, no matter how big or small, are supported by our colleagues on campus - Virginia Tech Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, Office of Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and many more. Once making a reservation, you will receive a Tentative Reservation Summary via email that contains a link to the form "Submit your Event Details". We ask that you please submit that form at least 30 business days prior to your event date, whenever possible. If you submitted your reservation request, less than 30 business days prior to your event date, we ask that you please fill out the form as soon as you receive it. Reservations without details submitted at least 10 business days prior to the event date will be canceled.
  • If you submitted a reservation request for a Campus Common Space, you were asked for these details in the reservation request form and you do not need to submit a separate details form. Event Services will let you know if we need any additional information about the Campus Common Space request.
  • If you submitted a reservation request for an Advertising Space, you do not need to submit event details.
  • Below is an overview of the information that will be asked as well as links to additional resources for more in-depth information to assist you in providing us with the required information.
  • In general, Virginia Tech Risk Management expects any group hosting an event on campus (regardless of size, content, etc.) to obtain and provide a certificate of General Liability Insurance for any event hosted on campus. The only definitive exception is for “business” or “conversational” meetings. Virginia Tech does not endorse any one insurance company as there are many to choose from. Please note; it may be difficult to procure insurance for certain high-risk activities, and insurance requirements cannot be waived for high-risk activities.
  • For more information about insurance requirements and assistance determining if you need to provide a Certificate of Insurance, please see the relevant resource:
  • Have specific questions regarding the General Liability Insurance requirements at Virginia Tech?
  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policies 5000 and 5406, a permit from the University Building Officials Office (UBO) may be required for events that meet any of the below thresholds.
  • The UBO Temporary Permit application is submitted through HokieServ preferably 30 days but at least 10 days prior to your event date. NOTE: You must have a valid VT email to access HokieServ.
  • Permits are required for events where the following are included, please note - this list is not exhaustive and Event Services will let you know if we believe your proposed activity needs a UBO Permit.
    • Tents that are greater than 900 square feet (or, greater than 900 square feet for the combined square footage of multiple tents located within 20 feet of each other)
    • Tents that will have an occupancy of 50 people or more
    • Any events when participants are anticipated to exceed 300 people
    • All stages and platforms
    • All amusement devices (rides, coasters, inflatables, etc.)
    • Any structure to be located within 20 feet of another structure, equipment, or plantings
    • All construction trailers
    • Any similar temporary structures
  • For more information regarding UBO Permits, please review their guidelines:
  • Need help or want to confirm that you need a UBO Temporary Permit or not?
  • Event Services is unable to provide exceptions or assistance with any of the above requirements. Please contact the UBO directly if you believe you should not have a permit or need assistance with the application.

Food:

  • Groups sponsoring events where food and/or beverages will be served in any Student Engagement and Campus Life facility, or Campus Common Space must inform the Event Services Office during the consultation process. There are various regulations regarding food and beverage service as mandated by the Montgomery County Health Department. Additional insurance and/or security may be required.
  • Event sponsors are free to provide their own food and beverage service in compliance with the Montgomery County Health Department regulations or choose any caterer in all venues and facilities managed by SECL.
  • At the conclusion of any event where food or beverages are served, the event sponsor is solely responsible for leaving the venue clean and neat. Any equipment or items associated with the catering service must be removed from the venue within the specified reservation time. Event sponsors are to account for any additional set up and clean up time for catering service during their consultation with Event Services. If the venue is left in inappropriate or unreasonable condition as determined by the facility staff, a minimum $50.00 cleaning fee will be charged to the event sponsor.

Alcohol:

  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 1015, the possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all University properties, except in certain circumstances where guidelines for use are explicitly detailed and an approval process is met.
  • NOTE: If you are requesting Alcohol for your event you are required to submit a separate Security Form in addition to the Event Details Form.
  • In general:
    • Alcoholic beverages may only be served at functions where the majority of attendees are 21 or older.
    • Alcoholic beverages may only be served as a complement to food service. Non-alcoholic beverages MUST also be served.
      • Food service includes appetizers, refreshments or any food served within the context of a reception, dinner or other meal.
    • In order to be considered, the location request must be a self-contained area (specific room or fenced in outdoor location) that is not open to the public.
      • Alcohol may not be served or consumed in public areas under any circumstances
    • Kegs will not be permitted at any time.
    • The event must have the appropriate licensing (i.e. ABC License or Banquet License)
      • An ABC license is required for all events involving the sale or service of alcoholic beverages. If a licensed caterer is contracted to provide such a service, a copy of their ABC license will be required.
      • If a licensed caterer is not responsible for alcoholic beverage service, the organizing event sponsor must apply for an ABC Banquet License directly from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Authority.

Food Trucks:

  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 5810, Mobile Food Vendors include all entities who, acting in a capacity other than a university student or employee, sell food to individuals on campus. Food Trucks include mobile vendors that operate from a motorized vehicle or a trailer which to be relocated must be towed behind a motorized vehicle that is equipped to cook and/or sell food. Food Trucks can be utilized as a catering option for any on campus event provided they can provide the required information detailed below. Virginia Tech Dining Services (Food Trucks - Grillfield and Periodic Table) has the first right of refusal to provide a food truck dining option for your event. Requests for external food trucks can be made on the next page. Event Services does not maintain a list of available local food trucks. Event Sponsors are responsible for securing services from the food truck purveyor directly and then providing the required documentation to Event Services.
  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 5215, External Food Trucks are NOT permitted to sell food directly to patrons on Virginia Tech’s campus. If you wish to have an external food truck at your event, your department/organization has to pay for the food in advance and then it must be served to patrons free of charge, similar to securing catering. The only defined exception is if the sales are being conducted as a fundraising effort that will solely benefit a non-profit group or an officially listed student organization. Profits cannot be split between the nonprofit/student organization and the food truck selling.
  • Additionally, the External Food Truck is expected to adhere to the Health, Safety, & Waste Management Guidelines issued  by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). The Event Sponsor must provide the food truck operator with the document prior to arriving on campus and the Food Truck is subject to inspection by EHS upon arrival.
  • For more information about serving food, food trucks and alcoholic beverages on campus, please see the relevant resources:
  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 5000, 3rd Party Vendors, which is defined as any company that has been contracted to provide a service or activities on Virginia Tech's campus must submit a certificate of insurance prior to arriving on campus.
  • Insurance Requirements:
    • Minimum general liability coverage (commercial general liability) amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence
    • MUST name “Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University” and the “Commonwealth of Virginia” as additional insured and certificate holders
    • Must include organization name(s), event date(s), and location(s) in the description area
  • Based on information gathered regarding your reservation, you may be referred to Virginia Tech Emergency Management and may be required to complete a Special Event Emergency Plan (SEEP), prior to your reservation date.
  • The following are items that may require a SEEP:
    • Occurring outside with 250 or more people
    • With an estimated participation of 1,000 or more people
    • An event that includes a majority of participants or attendees from outside of the VT Community
    • Having the potential to disrupt normal operation of the university
    • Anticipating minors to participate and reside on campus
    • Categorized as a conference
    • Scheduled to occur overnight in a non-residential building
  • For more information, please visit Emergency Management’s website:
  • If you have any questions or if you are unsure about if your event requires a SEEP Plan, please contact Emergency Management at OEM@vt.edu.
  • Open burning is defined as any open/exposed flame that could cause a fire. Examples of open burning are candles, recreational fires, and pyrotechnics (fireworks) of any kind.
  • Open burning, with specific attention to candles, is prohibited in ALL Student Engagement and Campus Life indoor venues except for War Memorial Chapel.
    • If candles are desired for your event within Squires, GLC, Owens or Burruss – you are required to use a battery-operated candle. There are no exceptions to this policy and requests will not be processed.
  • If you would like fireworks to be a part of your event, please contact Event Services to schedule a meeting to discuss the request process and required documentation.
  • An Open Burn Request Form must be filled out 10 business days prior to the event for approval. A Security Form as well as a Certificate of Insurance is also required.
  • For more information regarding the types of Open Burns allowed on campus, please review the Open Burn Request Form:
  • The Virginia Tech Police Department provides security at numerous events all across campus. We will help to determine your security needs based on the specific event. Activities that may require security typically involve, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
    • Alcoholic beverages;
    • Large groups of people, particularly those involving non-university affiliated guests;
    • Activities that have the potential to disrupt the normal operation of the university;
    • Activities which occur on the same date as other major university events (such as Athletic games, concerts, commencement, etc.);
    • A metal detector; and/or
    • Sensitive or high-profile topics or speakers/guests.
    • The following types of events will not ordinarily require the attendance of police officers or security personnel: organizational meetings, speakers, most films, and low-attendance student performances. However, sponsors are expected to be sensitive to the need for security in unusual circumstances.
  • If your organization is required or would like security for an event, sponsors must submit a separate Security Form in addition to the Event Details Form no less than 21 business days prior to the event date.
  • If minors (persons under the age of 18 who are not Virginia Tech students), will be participants (working or performing, not just attending) in this event, you must certify that you will comply with University Policy 4815. Additionally, a certificate of insurance will be required.
  • Please contact Tim Miles (tmm562@vt.edu) with the Office of Youth Protection for the proper procedures about having minors as participants at your event.
  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 5000, Major Entertainment is defined as any event for which there are contracted performers and occurs in a Major Venue*. Such events include but are not limited to concerts, speakers, lectures, theatrical performances, and comedians.
  • Due to the extensive approvals and logistics required to put on a successful major entertainment event on campus, any request for a performer with a contract valued at or above $5,000 must be submitted at least 75 BUSINESS DAYS in advance of the event date. No Major Entertainment events will be accepted under that deadline. A meeting with a Reservations Coordinator is required to confirm all Major Entertainment events. Event Services will reach out to schedule this meeting with an Authorized Contract directly.
  • Major Entertainment may not be for personal proprietary gain by any student, student organization or employee of the university.
  • *Major Venues: Burruss Auditorium, Commonwealth Ballroom, Colonial Hall, Haymarket Theatre, GLC Auditorium, GLC Multipurpose Room, Owens Ballroom, or Campus Common Spaces.
  • If your event requires audio-visual equipment, please carefully review the options below or review the linked information:

Basic AV:

  • (Not available in Haymarket Theater, Burruss Auditorium or War Memorial Chapel)
  • Basic AV packages are a complementary, self-serve option that typically include projection capabilities, installed sound, and at least one wired/wireless microphone. For more complex needs, Production Services or an outside vendor would be required.

Production Services:

  • (required for Haymarket Theater and Burruss Auditorium)
  • Production Services provides sound, lighting, video, and rigging assistance to events held in all major venues (Burruss Auditorium, Colonial Hall, Commonwealth Ballroom, Haymarket Theatre, GLC Auditorium, Owens Ballroom, and many other campus locations). For outdoor locations, please inquire to ensure your event is able to be supported in the location of your choice.
  • If your event requires use of any technical services, please be sure to inform your reservations coordinator so an appointment referral with Production Services can be arranged. Production must be requested 30 business days in advance of the event date.
  • In accordance with Virginia Tech Policy 5215, requests to conduct “commercial activities” on campus are prohibited. Commercial Activity is defined as any sales, solicitation, recruitment, or promotion/marketing that results in a profit and/or exclusive benefit to the Non-University Group (business, non-profit, individual person, etc.).
  • This includes activities of University Departments or registered Student Organizations that:
    • use vendors for the actual selling;
    • are paid or receive any kind of sales commission (including percentage of sales, flat fee, or per unit sold fee);
    • sell for the benefit of an external group, organization, or business (unless it is solely for the benefit of a nonprofit organization); and/or
    • provide product promotion or marketing for an external group, organization, or business even if no products are sold
  • Commercial Activity may be permitted if the following conditions are met:
    • The university does not offer the goods or services being sold, and
    • It's determined that the commercial activity is either necessary to the purpose of the university, or
    • The proceeds generated from sales directly benefit the university and/or sponsoring/nonprofit organization
      (100% of the proceeds from sales must go to the sponsoring/nonprofit organization. Profits cannot be split between the non-university group and the sponsoring/nonprofit organization.)
  • If you are uncertain if your event falls under Commercial Activity, please reach out to our office for guidance.
  • When you want to perform, display, or show a film, video, or TV program, whether it be as part of a course, at a group or club activity, at an organization event, or as a training exercise, you have to consider the rights of the those who own the copyright to the work you want to use. This consideration must be made regardless of who owns the video or where you obtained it, including streaming services. Copyright owners have certain rights, which are commonly known as Public Performance Rights (PPR). In most other cases other than a defined classroom setting, especially when the film, video, or TV program is being shown as part of an event, you need permission–often in the form of a public performance rights (PPR) license–to perform or show the copyrighted work.
  • Proof of copyright/approval is required to be in the Event Services at least two (2) business days prior to the event. Failure to provide a PPR or other proof of permission will result in the cancellation of the reservation. Any attempt to deceive the Event Services to avoid obtaining a PPR will result in immediate event cancellation and may jeopardize the sponsoring organization’s ability to reserve space with Event Services in the future.
  • For more information on copyright guidelines and how to obtain a PPR, please visit the following link:
  • All decorations, props and theatrical sets must be approved, prior to the event, by Event Services. There are restrictions to the use certain materials in reserved spaces, please review the linked resource for more information.