Use of College Property

Bowdoin College has a proprietary interest in the property that it owns. No person may utilize the College’s property, including digital or photographic reproductions of its property, for commercial, business, political, or public purposes, without express written consent as specified below.

College marks and logos are owned by the College and may not be used or altered without permission from the Office of Communications and Public Affairs. Requests for the use of College property for activities or events should be directed to the Office of Events and Summer Programs (207-725-3433).

Intellectual Property

Requests for photographic reproduction or the use of any logo, wordmark, image, or identity—including, but not limited to, the Bowdoin College seal (sun), the Bowdoin College wordmark, the custom Bowdoin athletics typeface, and the Polar Bear logo(s)—should be directed to the Office of Communications and Public Affairs in time to allow for an appropriate review of the request.

Requests for depictions or backdrops or other reproduction of College property—including but not limited to buildings, grounds, campus views, and other recognizable campus landmarks—should similarly be directed to the Office of Communications and Public Affairs in time to allow for an appropriate review of the request. Please see the services page for more information about getting help with your project.

Physical Property

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all uses of Bowdoin College facilities and grounds, including any indoor or outdoor space, land, or building. It works in conjunction with the Postering Policy, Demonstrations Policy, and guidelines from the Office of Events and Summer Programs, Residential Life, Dining Services, Student Activities, Safety and Security, Facilities Management, and Environmental Health and Safety.

Using Bowdoin's Buildings and Grounds

Bowdoin College welcomes uses of buildings and grounds that further the intellectual mission of the College and complement academic and cocurricular offerings. College facilities exist primarily to support core instructional and administrative functions, which take precedence over all other uses.

The College reserves the right to place reasonable limitations on timing, duration, noise levels, and the use or construction of structures, including temporary structures.

Who May Use College Facilities

Authorized Users

All campus events and speakers must be officially sponsored by:

A college department or office
A registered student group
A registered faculty and staff group

All other individuals and groups, including those not affiliated with the College, may use facilities only with advance approval from the appropriate Bowdoin office or department.

Approval to use College facilities does not constitute College endorsement of any particular message, cause, candidate, effort, or views of any group, organization, or individual.

User Responsibilities

All individuals, groups, and organizations using College property must:

Comply with this and all other relevant College policies
Follow guidelines established by the appropriate managing authority
Conduct themselves appropriately and respectfully
Comply with all local, state, and federal laws
Leave College facilities if requested by a college official who has been designated by the College to ensure safety and security and normal College operations

Prohibited Uses

The College Will Not Permit

Uses that disrupt or are likely to disrupt normal College operations
Activities that violate College policies
Uses that may interfere with the security or safety of others
Any use that has not received proper approval

Approval Process

Requests for facility use beyond meetings fundamental to College operations must be approved by the relevant College office according to applicable policies and guidelines. Events must follow guidelines established by Events and Summer Programs, Student Activities, or other relevant building management authorities.

Modification and Cancellation

If the College determines that a use of facilities would violate this Policy, interfere with College operations, or would violate other applicable College policies, the College may, in consultation with appropriate offices such as Safety and Security:

Cancel or terminate any use of facilities at any time
Modify or postpone events as necessary

Access Restrictions

The College reserves the right to restrict individuals from entering or remaining on College property if their presence is or would be disruptive or counter to the security and safety of others.

Specific buildings, particularly residential spaces, are subject to additional access restrictions. Entrance may be denied and trespass laws invoked for persons found in or around our buildings without legitimate reasons or for those who do not meet the expectations and responsibilities of this or other applicable College policies.

Violations

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Community Standards (for students) and the Faculty and Employee Handbooks, and, depending on the circumstances, could also be a violation of law.

Last Updated: January 20, 2026