UPPS 06.05.06 - Bobcat Digital Signs

POLICY STATEMENT

Texas State University is committed to providing a reliable digital signage program that enhances the ability to share information to a wider audience and extends the emergency notification system.

1. SCOPE

   1. This policy outlines the use and governance of Bobcat Digital Signs (BDS) at Texas State University. BDS was established to:

      1. extend the university’s ability to reach the campus community through marketing and communication via a unified, standards-based service platform;

      2. extend the university’s ability to reach the campus community in case of emergency by utilizing digital signage across the campuses;

      3. provide a platform for university entities who do not own digital signs to leverage BDS for marketing and communications needs; and

      4. create a financially self-sustaining service, removing licensing and equipment lifecycle burdens.

   2. BDS content, participation, rates, allocation and services are administered and governed by the Division of Marketing and Communications. Final approval of all advertising media resides with the Division of Marketing and Communications.

2. DEFINITIONS

   1. Departmental Displays – digital signage displays installed in departmental suites and offices with medium to low traffic.

   2. Private or Special Purpose Displays – digital signage displays installed in private spaces or for purposes outside BDS. Examples include interactive displays, wayfinding, and displays associated with art galleries and exhibits.

   3. Public Displays – digital signage displays installed in areas where a significant number of people are present in a public space or pause for some period. Examples include waiting for an elevator, sitting in a high traffic waiting area, or waiting for a large class change to occur.

3. DISPLAY CATEGORIES AND RESTRICTIONS

   1. Public displays are required to be part of BDS where:

      1. regardless of whether a display was installed before the BDS policy was instituted and at which department’s expense, if an existing display falls into the category of a public display, it is subject to being converted to a BDS sign and follow the guidelines set forth by this policy.

      2. Once an existing public display is converted to BDS, it cannot be removed from the BDS service unless approved by the associate vice president for Marketing and Communications.

      3. Public displays must support the standard emergency notification system.

      4. Public display conversions to BDS service are subject to resource availability as determined by the Division of Marketing and Communications.

      5. All funding for public display conversions is paid for by BDS.

   2. Departmental displays shall

      1. support the emergency notifications system if capable of doing so;

      2. be replaced by the department with standard hardware should replacement be required and become part of the emergency notification system; and

      3. be supported, replaced, and funded by the owning department.

   3. Private or special purpose displays

      1. are not required to run any specific display software; and

      2. are the responsibility of the owning department.

4. ADVERTISING CONTENT GUIDELINES

   1. Content Specifications

      BDS deliver ads or announcements to digital signs in student high-traffic areas across campus. Signs have been installed in two display modes:

      1. landscape (horizontal); and

      2. portrait (vertical).

      As a result, each ad or announcement must include two media assets so that it can be displayed in both types of orientations. BDS will accept advertisements or announcements in both image and video files. Images need to be submitted as .jpg or .png files. Landscape files must be 1920x1080 pixels. Portrait files must be 1080x1920 pixels. Videos need to be submitted as .mp4 files and should be 15 seconds in length. If possible, a reduced frame rate is recommended, such as 24fps. Dimensions for the files are landscape: 1920x1080 pixels; and portrait: 1080x1920 pixels.

   2. Advertisers agree to abide by the university’s Advertising Conflicts and Restrictions and grants Texas State the right to review in advance, monitor, and disallow all unreasonable advertisements that the provider affixes to and/or includes in its platforms if advertisements do not abide by Texas State restrictions. Business categories and advertisements may not: glorify, edify, promote, or support the sale of alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, and e-cigarettes; display trademarks and or brand names of alcohol or illegal drug products or tobacco and e-cigarettes; contain material that is obscene or defamatory; or be directed to incite or produce imminent lawless action. Final approval of all ad content resides with the Division of Marketing and Communications.

   3. The university reserves the right to adjust fees, policies, and rates at any time and without notice.

   4. The Division of Marketing and Communications reserves the right to deny any advertisements or content deemed inappropriate. The following items constitute inappropriate content:

      1. advertisements that are detrimental or damaging to the university;

      2. advertisements that harass or promote discrimination based on an individual’s race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veterans’ status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law in employment, educational programs, and activities and admissions;

      3. advertisements containing personal, biased, slanderous, or discriminatory content;

      4. advertisements containing the university’s logos or trademarks without the permission of the Division of University Marketing and Communications;

      5. advertisements for the sale of alcohol, tobacco, or firearms;

      6. advertisements for casinos, lottery, or adult-oriented businesses;

      7. advertisements that are gratuitously sexual or violent in nature;

      8. advertisements that promote any illegal activity;

      9. advertisements relating to political campaigns or issues; and

      10. advertisements for competing brands where the university has contracts with category-exclusive sponsorships.

   5. All paid advertising must be processed through the Division of Marketing and Communications.

5. REVIEWERS OF THIS PPS

   1. Reviewer of this UPPS includes the following:

      Position	Date
      Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications	March 1 E5Y

6. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

   This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacity and represents Texas State policy and procedures from the date of this document until superseded.

   Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications; senior reviewer of this UPPS

   Vice President for Marketing and Communications

   President