Overview

The information on this page is related to the policy and procedures related to soliciting on the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses.

Freedom of Expression

Texas State University is committed to upholding the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and respects individuals’ rights to express their views through all forms of legally protected speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly.

Visit: Freedom of Expression at Texas State University

Contact

Operations & Assessment
Student Involvement & Engagement
campusaccess@txstate.edu
(512) 245-3219
LBJ Student Center, Suite 425

Solicitation on University Property

Solicitation

UPPS 07.04.03 - Solicitation on University Property establishes Texas State University’s rules and regulations regarding solicitation on university-owned property.

Solicitation as defined by The Texas State University System (TSUS) Rules and Regulations, Chapter VII, Section 1: the sale or offer for sale of any property, goods, products or services; or the receipt of or request for any gift or contribution.

Solicitation on campus is prohibited, except for activities outlined in TSUS Rules and Regulations, Chapter VII, Section 1. 

Types of Solicitation

  • On-Campus Solicitation
  • Co-Sponsorship of Business/Vendor - University Departments only
  • Raffles on Campus
  • Off-Campus Solicitation

Permitted Solicitation Activities

The following are permitted solicitation activities that pertain to the scope of this university policy and procedures statement:

  • the sale or offer for sale of food, drink, and other items in designated areas;
  • the collection by registered student, faculty, or staff organizations of membership fees or dues;
  • fees or contributions for the exhibition of movies or other programs, including fine arts and athletic events sponsored by the university or by such organizations;
  • approved nondiscriminatory activities on behalf of charitable organizations; and
  • events sponsored by a registered student, faculty, or staff organization or the university that are authorized and scheduled per the university’s facilities-use regulations.

Commercial Speech

Commercial speech, which includes advertisement and promotion of products or services, is protected by the First Amendment. The university cannot limit any seller’s right to advertise or promote products or services (including price information) in “traditional public forums” or “designated public forums” (also see UPPS No. 07.04.01, Expressive Activities Policy). The university can regulate advertising and promotional speech in these forums that is false, misleading, or offering illegal goods or services.

The university can limit and/or prohibit vendors from advertising or promoting products and services in “limited public forums” and “non-public forums.” The university can limit and/or prohibit a seller from engaging in transactions in any forum by requiring adherence to established university policies and procedures.

Employment Opportunities and Activities

All postings and activities related to employment opportunities are managed through Career Services or Human Resource.

Visit: Career Services.
Visit: Human Resources.

Charity Drives and Philanthropic Activities

All charity and welfare drives must be sponsored by a registered student organization or university department and are subject to the same guidelines as other solicitations on campus. Registered student organizations and departments conducting charity drives and/or philanthropic activities must complete all required forms.

Submit a Request for Solicitation

Request must be submitted at least 10 university business days prior to the first day of the scheduled solicitation.

Mazevo Reservation System

Requests related to indoor and outdoor spaces managed by LBJ Student Center - Event Services will be reviewed and processed via Mazevo Reservation System.

San Marcos 

  • LBJ Student Center: Meeting Rooms, Ballrooms, Amphitheater
  • Bobcat Trail 
  • The Mall
  • The Quad

Bobcat Organization Hub

Requests in all other spaces that are NOT managed by LBJ Student Center - Event Services will be reviewed and processed via Bobcat Organization Hub.

San Marcos

  • Administration and Academic Buildings
  • Sewell Park

Round Rock

  • Administration and Academic Buildings
  • Quad

Sponsorship of Non-University Vendor

Request must be submitted at least 10 university business days prior to the first day of the scheduled solicitation.

Sponsor and Responsibilities

A Texas State department or student organization may request to sponsor a non-university vendor soliciting on campus under the following parameters:

  • The Texas State sponsor must complete all required forms.
  • Requests will be reviewed to ensure that the vendor meets compliance standards as established by federal, state, and local laws and university policies.
  • The request must not violate existing university contractual relationships. 
  • The Texas State sponsor shall be physically present with the vendor while they are on campus.
  • Unrestricted use by outside groups of any university facilities and grounds is not permitted.

Non-University Vendor

A non-university external group or entity owned and/or operated with the intent of earning revenue or a profit.

  • A vendor can include but not limited to an organization or entity engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities. Vendors can be for-profit or non-profit and may range in size from a sole proprietorship to a multinational corporation.
  • A vendor can include but not limited to a person, group, or company that sells goods or services to another party.
  • Vendor must complete the Vendor Agreement Form via Bobcat Organization Hub.
  • An approved vendor is only allowed to solicit on university property for up to two consecutive weeks.

Vendors who Own and/or Operate a Business and are Individuals who are Enrolled in Classes

This type of vendor can be sponsored. 

  • Participation in this sponsorship of a vendor does not constitute as participation for a class nor grade attributed to these vendors.
  • However, and due to their status as a student enrolled at the university, these vendors are unable to access parking privileges on campus as students.

Submit a Request for Co-Sponsorship of Business or Vendor

Mazevo Reservation System

Requests related to indoor and outdoor spaces managed by LBJ Student Center - Event Services will be reviewed and processed via Mazevo Reservation System.

San Marcos 
  • LBJ Student Center: Meeting Rooms, Ballrooms, Amphitheater
  • Bobcat Trail 
  • The Mall
  • The Quad

Bobcat Organization Hub

Requests in all other spaces that are NOT managed by LBJ Student Center - Event Services will be reviewed and processed via Bobcat Organization Hub.

San Marcos
  • Administration and Academic Buildings
  • Sewell Park
Round Rock
  • Administration and Academic Buildings
  • Quad

Business/Vendor's Compliance with Federal, State, and Local Laws, Regulations and Policies

Request must be submitted at least 10 university business days prior to the first day of the scheduled solicitation.

Certification

In compliance with State of Texas Executive Order GA-48 (2024), vendors must certify that they, and, if applicable, any of its holding companies or subsidiaries, is/are not:

  1. Listed in Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA); or
  2. Listed in Section 1260H of the 2021 NDAA; or
  3. Owned by the government of a country listed on U.S, Department of Commerce’s Foreign Adversaries list under 15 C.F.R. Section 791.4; or
  4. Controlled by any governing or regulatory body located in a country on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Foreign Adversaries list under 15 C.F.R. Section 791.4

Agreements

Vendors must agree to comply with all University Policies, including but not limited to the following and, at a minimum, shall apply to the vendor’s employees, subcontractors, and agents while on the University’s campus: 

  1. On-campus driving and parking;
  2. Prohibition on smoking or tobacco use;
  3. Fire safety;
  4. Hazardous materials; 
  5. Drug-free workplace; 
  6. Prohibition of sexual harassment, or harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or veteran status; and
  7. Compliance with insurance requirements and background check policies.
  8. Purchasing and catering regulations.

Vendor Agreement Form via Bobcat Organization Hub

Form is required and must be completed by the business or vendor being co-sponsored by a university department.

Raffles On- and Off- Campus

Request must be submitted at least 10 university business days prior to the first day of the scheduled solicitation.

Overview

The State of Texas Charitable Raffle Enabling Act identifies groups that are authorized to conduct raffles on campus.

Qualified Organizations

Qualified organizations include non-profit organizations that:

  1. have existed for at least three preceding years and are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c), Internal Revenue Code;.
  2. do not distribute any of their income to their members, officers, or governing body;
  3. do not devote a substantial part of their activities to attempting to influence legislation; and
  4. do not participate in any political campaign.

Procedure

Groups seeking approval to conduct raffles must meet with Student Involvement and Engagement or with Student Success at Round Rock at least 10 university business days prior to requested dates to review State of Texas and university policies and procedures related to conducting raffles. Student Involvement and Engagement or Student Success at Round Rock can approve raffles for groups that qualify.

Contact SI&E via Email

Off-Campus Solicitation

Request must be submitted at least 10 university business days prior to the first day of the scheduled solicitation.

Overview

For soliciting sponsorships, goods, donations, in-kind contributions, and/or items of monetary value from non-TXST off-campus entities.

In order to maintain the good will of our local community and encourage maximum private support, the university will coordinate and approve off-campus solicitation by registered student organizations and university departments, as outlined in UPPS No. 03.06.01, Off-Campus Solicitation by Registered Student Organizations.

Procedures

  • All registered student organizations desiring to solicit off-campus must obtain a Permit to Solicit Funds Off-Campus from the Student Involvement and Engagement.
  • Completed forms, along with a draft of the requested letter or materials, must be submitted to the SI&E. 
  • SI&E will approve and forward to the Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA), or designee, for final approval.
  • The VPUA will approve all solicitation correspondence to vendors before distribution.
  • If the solicitation is approved, the form must be shown to all merchants from whom funds are solicited.

Off-Campus Solicitation Form via Bobcat Organization Hub