A recent incident involving posters at the Gordon Center for Integrative Science has been depicted inaccurately on social media and warrants clarification.
One of the employees in the Division of Physical Sciences has job duties that include routinely removing posters and other adhesives from areas that are not designated for posting, including the brushed metal pillars outside the Gordon Center for Integrative Science. These pillars are susceptible to damage from adhesives. On Friday, two individuals took video of this employee as he removed a set of posters from these pillars. The video was posted to social media, and the employee has since received a large volume of phone calls and emails.
This is inappropriate targeting of an individual for carrying out routine job duties. The University’s posting policy provides broad latitude for personal expression, but makes it clear that posters and flyers should be affixed to designated areas around campus, including bulletin and notice boards inside buildings, and outdoor stands or free-standing kiosks that are intended for flyers. These designated posting areas do not include the exterior of University buildings, windows, support columns, or entranceways. The columns in the breezeway of the Gordon Center are not designated posting areas. Employees of Facilities Services and individual offices regularly remove posters and flyers that are affixed in non-designated areas, regardless of the content of the posters. This employee’s work has the full support of leadership in the Division and the University.
We are working to uphold a climate of respect and consideration in the University community during this challenging time.