Banner & Signage Guidelines

Banners on The Columns

The traditional symbol of the University of Missouri is the row of six iconic columns. The Columns once supported the portico of Academic Hall, the first building on campus. On Jan. 9, 1892, a fire destroyed Academic Hall, and the Columns were all that remained.  In August 1893, the Board of Curators voted to remove the Columns, considering them not only unsafe, but unsightly. However, supporters of the Columns rallied to their defense, and after inspection showed the foundations were safe, the curators voted to retain them in December 1893. Now the Columns stand as a beloved part of Mizzou’s campus. 

As an enduring memorial to Mizzou’s beginning, the Columns may not be used to display banners or signage. The exceptions are: 

• On Memorial Day, Independence Day, September 11 and Veterans Day, American flags are hung in a vertical configuration.  
• Banners may be displayed on the Columns during major institutional anniversaries, with approval by the university president. 
• For significant university occasions taking place on Francis Quadrangle, banners are limited to those that highlight the university’s brand. Current occasions include: Welcome Week, Tiger Walk, Homecoming, winter commencement, Senior Sendoff and spring commencement. 
• Very rarely, at the discretion of the university president, banners may be used on the Columns to recognize an issue that is of great importance to the entire university community. 

Light-Pole Banner Guidelines

Banners are a colorful way to let people know they have arrived on campus. We want people to know that they are at Mizzou and feel a sense of pride, whether they are visitors or alumni, who may visit infrequently, or students, staff and faculty, who are on campus daily.   

Because we want to represent a unified brand on campus, Mizzou-branded banners on city and campus streets as well as in parking lots will be the standard. With a demand-based parking model, no parking lots on campus will be specific to a college or school. Therefore, no college or school banners will be permitted.  

No light-pole banners are allowed at the entrance to Eighth Street Circle or on Francis Quadrangle unless the university president approves for a specific event such as Homecoming.  

Smaller banners may be approved on light poles near main entrances to colleges or schools.  

Approval Process

Approvers: Campus Facilities, Mizzou Marketing & Communications (MarCom)  

1. The lead communicator in a Mizzou college, school, unit, division or department seeks approval from dean or division leader. 
2. The lead communicator completes the Qualtrics form, with dean or division leader’s approval, to begin the process. Campus Facilities will ensure the banner can be placed in the requested location and will ensure that it does not obstruct security cameras or create another safety hazard.  
3. If the request includes mounting the banner on city light standards, Campus Facilities requests approval from the City of Columbia. 
4. Once Campus Facilities approves location and size, the department’s lead communicator works with MarCom for design and branding approval. 

Ordering Banners:

A designee from the Mizzou Sign Shop will work with the vendor to ensure standards are met. The Sign Shop will place a work order for installation by Campus Facilities using the Mo Code provided.  

Installation & Maintenance

All banners must be installed by Campus Facilities. The Sign Shop will submit a work order for installation. 

It is at the discretion of Campus Facilities to determine when a banner should be replaced due to tearing or fading. At that time, the Internal Communications – Campus Facilities associate director contacts the designated lead communicator to ask if the banner should be replaced at the department’s expense or removed. 

Guidelines for Banners on Buildings and Vinyl Window Coverings 

All banners on buildings and vinyl window coverings follow the banner approval process above. However, once location and design are approved, you are welcome to submit your design with a Sign Shop work order or submit it to an approved Signage and Exhibits vendor listed on the brand website.  

1. Banner and vinyl window covering on buildings approval process:  

• The lead communicator in a Mizzou college, school, unit, division or department seeks approval from dean or division leader. 

• The lead communicator completes the Qualtrics form, with dean or division leader’s approval, to begin the process. Campus Facilities will ensure the banner can be placed in the requested location and will ensure that it does not obstruct security cameras or create another safety hazard.  

• Once Campus Facilities approves location and size, the department’s lead communicator works with MarCom for design and branding approval. 

2. If the Mizzou Sign Shop is not used for printing a building banner or vinyl window covering, the lead communicator will need to submit a Campus Facilities work order for installation.