Posters or signs which are considered offensive to a “reasonable person” must be removed from residence halls windows.

Stevenson Towers Area Coordinator Jim Rooney said students have to take down window posters which contain degrading statements.

Rooney said generally, if a “reasonable person” is intimidated or embarassed by the poster, it is considered to be offensive.

Criteria for determining if a poster is offensive include the number of complaints about that poster, Housing Services Associate Director Jack Felver said.

“Placing pictures or posters in windows should be done in relatively good taste,” said Margaret Phillips, Neptune/Gilbert halls area coordinator.

She said a student will be asked to remove an offensive poster, which she believes is not infringing on the person’s freedom of speech.

Rooney said as far as he knows, students have been cooperative, and no one has refused to take down a poster.

Housing Services Director Donald Buckner said complaints usually come from other students who find the poster offensive.

If a student refuses to take down a poster, the housing office or the University Judicial Office will take action, Rooney said.

Buckner said he is not aware of any specific complaints about a poster. But, if complaints persisted, action would be taken against a student, he said.

However, there has not been an incident where action had to be taken, Buckner said. Rather, uncooperative students were talked to, he said.

New students usually put up posters considered to be offensive at the beginning of the year because they do not know the limitations of the university, Felver said.

e said after the first semester students are familiar with the school’s standards, and they do not display questionable materials in their windows. Felver added, “The novelty wears off first semester.”