The George Washington University - Home Page

Publicity & Marketing


General Marketing Guidelines
  • The buildings of the University are private and, in general, publications may not be distributed within the building without permission of the University.
  • Remember that any use of the University logo and word mark is strictly regulated. Be sure that you are not using an unauthorized logo by checking the Standards Guide, available on the University Graphics website
  • Postings must not violate University and/ or District of Columbia safety regulations, conduct codes, alcohol policies, or other applicable University rules and regulations.
  • Materials may not be displayed more than 10 days before the event, and all postings relating to an event must be removed within 48 hours of the event’s completion.
  • Postings must prominently display the name and contact information (name, phone number, email, and website if your organization has one) of the sponsoring GW organization or department, an approved University logo, the organization logo, the date of the event, and an English translation of all information included on the posting.
  • Flyers and announcements from non-University groups and organizations are prohibited unless co-sponsored by a student organization or University department.  The name of this sponsoring organization must be clearly displayed on posted materials.
  • Materials may be posted only in the following approved areas: Marvin Center posting areas, Residence Hall posting areas, Academic building bulletin boards, Ross Hall and Law School posting areas, Smith Center posting areas, and Academic Center windows.
  • No posters, flyers, or announcements may be attached to unapproved areas, such as: trees, doors, sidewalks, benches, walkways, stairs, trash cans, newspaper boxes, recycling bins, GW signs or statues, the Professors and University Gates.  Posting to painted, wallpapered, plastic, metal, or glass surfaces is prohibited.
  • Indoor postings on bulletin boards must not exceed 11" X 17" in size.
  • Posting is limited to one posting per event on any bulletin board and must not overlay other material.  The posting must be attached by masking tape, push pins, or staples only.
  • Postings advertising an event must contain correct event date, time, and location. Event must be scheduled and approved prior to posting advertisement.
  • Postings may not advertise personal messages or promote or emphasize illegal activity, drug, alcohol, sexual situations, or sexual innuendos.

Only the sponsoring organization or University staff may remove postings from authorized posting locations.  Student organizations removing other organizations’ posters for any reason will be referred to Student Judicial Services and may be subject to loss of posting privileges on campus.

Advertising in the Marvin Center:
The Marvin Center offers a variety of mediums to advertise your event.  Student organizations can request the following mediums: stanchion space, display, elevator display cases, bulletin boards, and fourth floor display cases.  Organizations are not permitted to distribute or solicit information on any indoor or outdoor property under the jurisdiction of Marvin Center and University Conferences without reserving the appropriate space.  Groups found on university property will be escorted off-campus by the University Police Department. Repeated violations of this policy could result in permanent barring from all campus property. 

Advertising in the Res Halls:

·        Bring a copy of your poster to GW Housing, located at the John Quincy Adams House (2129 “Eye” St.).  The front desk will approve your poster, and you can sign out an “all access” GWorld card.  Your organization is responsible to go to all GW Residence Halls and post your advertisements.  The card must be returned to GW Housing by 4:00PM, or a $300 fine will occur.

·        The following Residence Halls are approved for posting: the Aston, City Hall, Crawford Hall, the Dakota, 1959 E St., Fulbright Hall, F.S. Key Hall, 2109 F St., 2034 G St., Guthridge Hall, International House, Ivory Tower, JBKO Hall, Building JJ Hall,      Lafayette Hall, Madison Hall, Mitchell Hall, Munson Hall, New Hall, Potomac House, Schenley Hall, Strong Hall, Thurston Hall, The West End, Clark Hall, Cole Hall, Merriweather House, Hensley Hall, Pelham Hall, and Somers House.  

·        You may only post ONE POSTER on the ground floor lobby bulletin boards of the above Residence Halls.  All of the previously mentioned posting regulations apply.

·        Expired posters and flyers will be removed every Friday at noon.  Posters with no expiration date will remain posted for approximately two weeks.




Electronic Publicity

Getting your own listserv:
After setting up the email account, each group may set up a listserv for their members.  A listserv request must first be submitted electronically.  To request, or manage your listserv, or for more information go to http://hermes.gwu.edu.

Email Account:
Each group is required to set up a student organization email account. The Student Activities Center does not monitor or maintain student organizations email accounts or passwords. Be sure to keep and share records of all of this information with your organization members, especially when transitioning officers.

To set up your organization's email account you must fill out the Student Club/Org GWEmail Account Request form.

Web sites:
Registered student organizations may apply for web space by creating a Merlin site, which are developed using a wizard and can be up and running in three simple steps. Go to http://gwired.gwu.edu/merlin to begin.


Licensing & Trademarks

ALL student organization merchandise must have the University's approved name, logo or word mark imprinted in at least one prominent location i.e., back, front, pocket, sleeve. Only licensed manufacturers may be used for the production of merchandise containing the name of trademarks of The George Washington University. A complete and up to date list of vendors is available from the Licensing and Trademarks Program located in Rice Hall 403 and on the Licensing and Trademark Office websites list of frequently asked questions.

How to Purchase Imprinted Merchandise:
Imprinted merchandise is anything you have artwork printed on like: t-shirts, frisbees, stadium cups, memo boards etc...

  1. Obtain an EAF (Expenditure Approval Form) from the Student Association if you are paying with your SA account, or from the Student Activities Center if you are paying with your organization's Revenue Account.
  2. Obtain a copy of the guidelines "The Use of the GW Trademark" and the "Design Pre-Approval and Request for Royalty Waiver Form" from the Student Association or the Student Activities Center.
  3. Use one of the University approved vendors.
  4. Copy of artwork must be turned in with EAF. If you need your artwork approved immediately due to time constraints, you may bring a copy of your artwork to Rice Hall 403 for approval before turning it in to the Student Association.
  5. All artwork must include the following:
    1. "The George Washington University" Washington D.C. (After the word University and 'r' in a circle that follows)
    2. The GW wordmark or logo must be visible (more info below)
    3. If a garment design contains artwork on the front and back, it must include the name of the university on both sides.