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Solicitation and Distribution in the Workplace

Policy Number: HR-12
Effective Date: July 2002
Last Revision: March 2013
Responsible Officer: Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer

PURPOSE

This policy was established to inform Faculty and Professional Staff Members and Student s about the University’s policy to prohibit peddling, canvassing, soliciting, and distribution of literature of any kind on the University premises during work time.

APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all Drexel University Faculty and Professional Staff Members, Students and Volunteers, excluding those affiliated with a collective bargaining unit.

IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the Department of Human Resources.

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT

The Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer is the Drexel University Official responsible for the administration of this policy.

POLICY

It is the University's policy to forbid distribution of advertising material, commercial or charitable solicitations, merchandise catalogs, handbills, or materials of a political or potentially adversarial nature on the premises. An exception is made for University-approved charitable endeavors. The University may also choose to recognize charitable drives as a community-backed effort.

In order to avoid unnecessary annoyances and interruptions during the workday, solicitation by an Faculty Member, Professional Staff Member or Student of another Faculty Member, Professional Staff Member or Student is prohibited during work time.

Bulletin boards in University facilities are reserved for University postings and announcements.

Non- Faculty, Professional Staff Members and Students may not trespass, solicit or distribute any kind of written or printed materials on University premises at any time.

Faculty and Professional Staff Members and Students are prohibited from engaging in the following action in any campus building, on any University property, during work time or while representing the University:

  1. Selling any product or service, soliciting contributions, or lobbying for political candidates or causes.
  2. Distributing any kind of written or printed materials (e.g. handbills, pamphlets, advertising materials, etc.) during work time or in work area.
  3. Pursuing outside business interests. Using bulletin boards, mail systems, photocopiers, telephone lists or the like for such purposes as stated above. In addition, to the above, Faculty and Professional Staff Members and Student s are prohibited at any time from engaging in solicitation or distribution of any kind of written or printed materials in patient-care areas. Such areas include patient rooms, operating rooms, all places where patients receive treatment, all corridors adjoining any of the above, and any other place designated for exclusive use of patients. Faculty and Professional Staff Members and Students found to be engaging in any of the actions listed above, or any like action, or to be assisting a vendor or another Faculty and Professional Staff Member or Student to engage in the same are subject to actions outlined in the Performance Improvement Process Policy, up to and including termination.

DEFINITIONS

Faculty Member is defined as an individual employed by Drexel University in a tenured, tenure-track, non-tenured track or adjunct position who teaches at any college, school, center or institute in the University.  A Faculty Member also is deemed to be exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and/or applicable state law.

Professional Staff Member is defined as an individual employed in any non-faculty category by Drexel University, including an individual who is deemed to be either exempt or non-exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and/or applicable state law.

Student is defined as any person currently enrolled, whether part-time or full-time, in undergraduate or graduate courses or programs.  Undergraduate Student denotes any Student who is primarily enrolled in undergraduate courses or program and has not obtained a bachelor’s degree in such course of study or program.  Graduate student denotes any Student who is primarily enrolled in graduate courses or program who is working toward a graduate degree or certification after having earned a bachelor’s degree.

Volunteer is defined as an unpaid individual representing or providing services to Drexel for civic, charitable or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered.

Work Area is defined as any facility or space owned or leased by the University. Work areas also include the facilities of American Academic Health System during working hours when Faculty and Professional Staff Members and Student s of the University are working at that location.

Work Time is defined as the period of time during working hours when the Faculty and Professional Staff Member or Student is engaged in or committed to be engaged in service on behalf of the University. Work time does not include lunch periods, work breaks, or any other periods in which the Faculty and Professional Staff Member or Student is not on duty.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT NOT AFFECTED

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated in this policy, nothing herein is intended to alter the at-will status of any non-tenured Faculty or Professional Staff Member.  Drexel University at all times retains the right to terminate any non-tenured Faculty or Professional Staff Member at any time for any lawful reason, or for no reason at all.