Solicitation Policy

Sales of merchandise and services on campus to individuals (students, faculty and staff) by for-profit individuals, for-profit organizations or not-for-profit organizations or individuals representing not-for-profit organizations are prohibited except under the following conditions:

Outside Vendors

For-profit individuals and organizations (outside vendors) are prohibited from on-campus sales except when sponsored by a recognized campus organization. Outside vendors may post a notices on a specified bulletin boards in the Colket Center and may advertise in the college newspaper.  A faculty or staff member, or a student who is a representative of a for-profit company or is in business on his/her own will be considered an outside vendor and, as such, will not be allowed to post notices or use college facilities/services except as noted above. All outside vendors must agree to donate at least twenty percent (20%) of gross merchandise or service sales to the college or sponsoring organization for educational materials or educational activities.  The outside vendor must also agree to pay all taxes imposed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Salem in connection with merchandise or service sales.   Outside vendors are responsible for maintaining sales receipts and providing the Student Colket Center with a copy of those receipts, upon request. Outside vendors are prohibited from using the Roanoke College logo, name line or seal on any merchandise without written permission from the Vice President - Business Affairs because of the college's trademark on the logo, name line or seal.

The Faculty/Staff/Student Directory is prepared by Roanoke College for official use only by its faculty, staff and students.  It is the property of the college and its unauthorized use by outside vendors is prohibited.

On-campus fund-raising activities

If the below criteria are met, upon the recommendation of the Bookstore Manager, the Director of the Colket Center & Student Activities may approve in writing an on-campus sale for a specific location on a specified date at a specific time. All on-campus sales to individuals (students, faculty and staff) by recognized student organizations must be approved in advance by the Director of the Colket Center & Student Activities and scheduled through the Colket Center. Any on-campus food sales must also be approved by the Director of Auxillary/Dining Services. Fund-raising events involving raffles must also be in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations. The merchandise or service offered for sale by the recognized student organization must benefit the students, faculty and/or staff and not be in conflict with the normal merchandise and services of the college bookstore. The sale of merchandise or services, including the sales methods, must be consistent with the high standards of the college. Each organization is responsible for any fund-raising activity it sponsors and must put its name on all advertising associated with the solicitation or sale. Recognized student organizations which enter into retail sales of merchandise or services are responsible for paying all taxes imposed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Salem in connection with the sale of merchandise or services. Recognized student organizations are cautioned to use reputable vendors that will ensure the organization will receive the merchandise or service purchased.

Corporate Co-sponsorship

If the below criteria are met, upon the recommendation of the Director of Auxiliary Services, the Director of the Colket Center & Student Activities may approve in writing an on-campus sale for a specific location on a specified date at a specific time. Recognized student organizations may sponsor on-campus events utilizing corporate co-sponsors.  These events must be approved in advance by the Director of the Colket Center & Student Activities and scheduled through the Colket Center.  Informational and promotional materials utilizing co-sponsorship and/or the advertising sales must be approved in advance by the Director of the Colket Center & Student Activities.  These materials, including brochures, calendars, booklets, schedules, etc., may utilize corporate advertisement to underwrite the cost of their printing. Events utilizing co-sponsorship should conform to reasonable standards of good taste as determined by the Director of the Colket Center & Student Activities (e.g., no beer or liquor promotion or offensive or suggestive wording), and must not conflict with the college's providers or Resource Development programs.

Revised:  July 2022