1. POLICY STATEMENT
1.1. The United States flag, the state of Oregon flag, and the National League of Families’ PWO/MIA flag shall be displayed on the flagpoles of Oregon State University (“university”) in conformance with federal and state statutes.
2. REASON FOR POLICY
2.1. This policy establishes the protocol for flying the United States flag, the state of Oregon flag, the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag, and other approved flags on university flagpoles.
3. SCOPE & AUDIENCE
3.1. This policy applies to flags flown on stationary exterior flagpoles on university-owned or -controlled property unless an exception exists under Section 5 of this policy.
4. DEFINITIONS
4.1. None.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES & PROCEDURES
5.1. Display of Flags
5.1.1. The United States flag and the state of Oregon flag shall be flown. If possible, the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag shall be flown simultaneously with the United States flag and the state of Oregon flag. These flags will be flown in accordance with state and federal law.
5.1.2. Additional flags may be flown if the Vice President for University Marketing and Relations or their designee determines the flag to be an expression of the university’s official sentiments and relationships including but not limited to:
a. Flags bearing official university logos.
b. Flags presented to the university for outstanding achievement (e.g., the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA flag).
c. Flags of the university’s partners and affiliates (e.g., PAC-12 Conference flag).
d. Flags of other universities or states, or governments recognized by the United States, when customary to recognize the visit of a dignitary to the university.
5.1.3. No other flags may be displayed on the university’s flagpoles.
5.2. Half-staff
5.2.1. The United States flag and state of Oregon flag are flown at half-staff during periods of mourning when directed by the governor of Oregon or the president of the United States.
5.3. Other Agencies on University Property
5.3.1. Federal and state agencies operating on university-owned or -controlled property who have stationary external flagpoles may follow the protocols and customs of their parent agency and may fly the flags and standards customary to their agency.
5.3.2. Reserve Officer Training Corps units operating on university-owned or -controlled property who have stationary external flagpoles may follow the protocols and customs of their service branch and may fly service flags and other standards customary to their service branch.
5.4. Government Speech
5.4.1. University flagpoles are intended as forums for government speech only and do not provide a means for public speech or freedom of expression. The university recognizes and supports the rights of free expression and speech through other means as outlined in University Standard 576-005 Time, Place and Manner Rules for Speech Activities and University Code of Student Conduct 3.2 Freedom of Expression.
6. FORMS & TOOLS
6.1. None.
7. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
7.1. None.
8. RELATED INFORMATION
8.1. U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7 - The Flag (text provided by Cornell University law school) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/chapter-1.
8.2. U.S. Code, Title 36, Chapter 10 – Patriotic Customs https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-1994-title36/html/USCODE-199….
8.3. Free speech on university-owned or - controlled property: University Standard 576-005 Time, Place and Manner Rules for Speech Activities; University Code of Student Conduct 3.2 Freedom of Expression.
9. HISTORY
9.1. Adopted: University Policy 07-110 Flag Protocol was adopted by Oregon State University on February 15, 2023.
9.2. Next scheduled review date: February 2026.
10. WEBSITE
10.1. https://policy.oregonstate.edu/policy/flag-protocol
11. CONTACTS
University Relations and Marketing
(541) 737-4875
https://communications.oregonstate.edu/office-vice-president