Regulations on Posting Signs in DePaul Center

April 2007 issue

I am concerned about the very restrictive rules for posting signs in the DePaul Center. I recently was involved in an event that utilized out-of-town speakers and was attended by more than 50 out-of-town attendees. It is very, very difficult to tell people unfamiliar with the university how to get into the DePaul Center through the bookstore, up to the 8th floor, and around the corner to the conference area without signage. One sign on an easel by the 8th floor elevators is not sufficient, because it does not help attendees find the right set of elevators and does not help them get around the 4 turns to get to the internal part of the conference area. As a general matter, I don't understand what the university's concern is in allowing people to use signs for important events. Further, the university does not apply this rule to everyone, because the Taize Prayer group is permitted to place signs by the 1st floor elevators. This situation reflects poorly on DePaul, and it makes our events seem very unprofessional. The DePaul Center needs to offer a solution to this very significant problem. If they are worried about sign-fatigue, then they should institute a time-place-manner restriction, rather than a blanket prohibition.

Response

Source: Aileen Spencer
Title: Assistant Director, Student Center & the Office of Conference Services
Unit/Department: Student Center / Facility Operations
Extension: 2-5223
Email: confservices@depaul.edu

Response: Guests attending events at the Loop Campus, whether DePaul Center or Lewis Center, typically approach the Public Safety desk inquiring about events and their locations. As a result, Public Safety is prepared to assist guests in getting to their destination as they receive daily and weekly listing of Loop Student Center and the Office of Conference Services schedules. This system has proved favorable as there is a live person giving clear direction and re-routing guests unfamiliar with DePaul University.

In the past, the customary practice was for the Office of Conference Services to post a daily list of events taking place within the University in an information display case. The case was placed to the left of the entrance leading to the elevators on the first floor of DPC. When VISION Twenty12 was adopted, an inscribed banner was displayed on the wall behind the display case. The case was moved and stored out of sight and the policy restricting specialized event announcements went with the information case. With this being noted, we will resurrect the information display case to endure advertising visibility and get rid of the many unsightly and unprofessional postings on the first floor of DPC to ensure a professional look and to maintain a smooth traffic flow to the elevators. There are display cases off the elevators on the 8th floor DPC, the 11th floor DPC, the 1st floor of Lewis (off Jackson) and another one by the security desk on the 1st floor of Lewis, and two leading into the Conference Center.