#164 - Spirit Rock
Approved: May 28, 2024
Monitor: Vice President for Student Affairs
Established in 2024, the EIU Spirit Rock, located on the northwest side of the Martin Luther King, Jr. University Union, provides a space for students to express themselves, increase school spirit and foster connection in the campus community. The intention of the Spirit Rock is to support student programming, student organizations, and students, as well as campus programming.
Guidance & Policy
- The EIU Spirit Rock is intended for registered student organizations, intercollegiate or intramural sports teams, or University departments, as well as enrolled students, to enhance the EIU experience through positive messaging that support their organization's mission, facilitate recruitment for their organization, memorialize members of the EIU community, promote upcoming programming or support an emergent student need. Participation in Spirit Rock activities are voluntary and cannot be required of organization or team members.
- All students, individuals, organizations, intercollegiate or intramural sports teams, and University offices are expected to demonstrate respect for the EIU community through their artwork on the EIU Spirit Rock. Any vulgar or threatening messages will be promptly removed by the University. Individuals or organizations responsible for such messages may be subject to disciplinary action, with referrals to the Dean of Students or Human Resources as necessary, in accordance with EIU's standards.
- The EIU Spirit Rock cannot be used to campaign for Student Government, RSO elections and/or State, Local, or Federal offices.
Only the designated EIU Spirit Rock located on the northwest side of the union may be painted. Student organizations, offices or individuals who damage or paint the surrounding areas (trees, grass, sidewalks, etc.) will be held financially responsible.
Individuals, teams, and organizations must furnish their own water-based paint and supplies to paint the EIU Spirit Rock. No university funds can be used to paint the EIU Spirit Rock.
- Those painting the EIU Spirit Rock will ensure that the area is left in a clean condition. They will remove all materials and litter from the site and properly dispose of all paint.
- Individuals or groups painting the EIU Spirit Rock assume liability for any individual who may be injured or incur clothing damage.
- EIU Spirit Rock messages are to remain on the rock for at least 24 hours. Students, organizations, and offices are asked to paint the date of their painting on the back side of the EIU Spirit Rock. Please note there is no reservation process and opportunities to paint the Spirit Rock are on a first-come, first-served basis and students, organizations, or teams may not paint over a message that is dated for the current or prior day.
- Students and employees are encouraged to report any content that may violate the intent and guidance of the above policies, please email spiritrock@eiu.edu. The above guidance is also available online at: https://www.eiu.edu/spiritrock.php.
The University reserves the right to remove messages that are inconsistent with the intent of the Spirit Rock.
