EIU Office of Internal Auditing

#166 - Flag Display

Approved: August 24, 2020

Monitor: Vice President for Student Affairs

The University will have two types of flag pole displays: Government and "We Are EIU".

1. Government

Only the United States flag and the State of Illinois flag shall be flown at full staff unless otherwise specified by the Governor of the State of Illinois.

The flags shall be flown at half-staff on occasions prescribed by federal or state law, on occasions authorized by the President of the United States or the Governor of Illinois, and on such other occasions as authorized by the President of the University.

Responsibility for the appropriate display of the flags shall reside with the University Police Department.

2. "We Are EIU"

Eastern Illinois University's mission includes its steadfast commitment to equity, inclusion and fostering a learning community where all members feel welcomed and valued. The university provides equality of opportunity in all areas of campus life and strives to recognize and appreciate the unique value of students, faculty, and staff. Every member of campus has the right to learn and work in an environment free of discrimination and harassment, and beyond that, our goal is for all members of our community to develop a strong sense of belonging to Eastern Illinois University.

In recognition of the diversity of heritages, cultures, and gender/orientation on campus, EIU has established a "We Are EIU" flagpole. Such pole will fly appropriately sized flags recognizing the diversity of communities across campus. The "We Are EIU" flagpole is administered and controlled by the university's administration. Stated differently, the flagpole is not within EIU's free speech zone and, therefore, not a free speech flagpole.

Criteria of flags to be flown on the "We Are EIU" flagpole include:

• • Flags must be sized appropriate to the height of the pole and will be flown in a similar manner as the U.S. flag (e.g. flown at half mast when the US flag is flown at half mast).
  • Flag must conform to EIU's mission of diversity, inclusion and equity. No flag will be approved if it denigrates any heritage, culture or gender/orientation on campus. This determination is at the sole discretion of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
  • Student and employee organizations may request a certain flag be eligible for flying during a certain period of time. However, no political (related to elections) or organizational flags of any non-profit or profit entities are allowed.
  • The administration retains the right to determine how long a flag might be flown and if others are flown with it.

Responsibility for the appropriate display of the flags shall reside with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Office of Inclusion and Academic Engagement. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs will be responsible for the appropriate display of any "We Are EIU" flags.