University administration officials, in a sudden reversal of stated policy, announced they will no longer require student groups to put the ‘O’ logo on publications.
The decision came amid protests from student groups that the policy would be complicated, costly and confusing.
“We heard some of the student comments and decided to go in a different direction,” said Harry Battson, associate vice president for strategic communications. “We want students to be part of the organization and show their support if they want to.”
Although University departments are still required to follow the ‘O’ policy, student groups now have the option to leave the logo off their publications. Contract nonprofit groups aren’t allowed to carry the logo unless University officials decide the nonprofit’s message is consistent with the University’s.
Battson said student groups can still use the logo if they agree to comply with the University’s graphic style guides specifying how the logo can be used. University Publications Director George Beltran said 1,500 copies of the guide were printed by the University at a cost of $20,000, and the materials can also be found on University Publications Web site.
Battson said the new, revised policy is unlikely to change again.
“This is kind of the optimum policy in the sense that student organizations can make a choice in the way they want to use it,” he said.
The policy first came to light at an October ASUO Programs Council meeting, where ASUO officials told program representatives they would have to use the ‘O’ logo by Jan. 1 to place purchase orders for new publication materials. The announcement resulted in protests from student groups and contract nonprofits, who said the policy would violate free speech rights and possibly create a headache for the University, as well.
University officials said they came up with the original policy in order to let student groups align themselves officially with the University in their on-campus and off-campus publications.
Battson said student groups will continue to be encouraged to use the new logo. Officials are “working with groups to try and get them to think of themselves as responsible and accountable student groups at the University,” he said.
“It’s about giving students their choice.”