Outdoor Space Guidelines

MU Campus Facilities and the Office of Reservations & Events hopes your scheduled event on the campus grounds is successful and that you enjoy the area provided. The campus grounds provide many different uses besides the opportunity to hold your event. We would like to work with you in an effort to ensure that all of the other uses for the grounds are still possible when your event is finished. The University reserves the right to change and/or cancel a reservation or alter the use of other assigned space with the understanding that, at all times, every effort shall be made to provide comparable facilities. It is the responsibility of an event organizer to inform all vendors and others helping to set‐up your event that they must adhere to these guidelines and consider answers to the questions posed below to be best prepared to host your outdoor event.

  • USE OF FACILITIES: University buildings and grounds are intended for use by students, faculty and staff in support of the University’s mission of teaching, research, service and economic development. Individuals, groups or organizations may use University buildings and grounds in accordance with University rules and regulations. This policy applies to all University of Missouri employees, students, University affiliates, contractors and visitors.
  • CHALKING ON CAMPUS: Learn more about chalking.
  • CLEANING/TRASH PICK UP: You are responsible for cleaning up the area after your event, including the removal of trash and recycling. (This is especially important with any food waste). Please make sure that you have a plan for this clean up. To obtain trash and recycling containers, please contact Campus Facilities‐Custodial & Special Services 882‐8211.
  • EVENT RENTALS: Learn more about renting tables, chairs, tents, etc. by contacting your event venue coordinator.
  • FOOD GUIDELINES: Learn more about food permits here.
  • ILLUMINATED DEVICES ON CAMPUS: Learn more about illuminated devices here.
  • OPEN FLAME: Learn more about flame permits here.
  • POSTING MATERIALS ON CAMPUS: Learn more about posting materials and distributing them on campus.
  • SOUND AMPLIFICATION DEVICES: Learn more about Sound Amplification Permits.
  • STREET USE REQUEST: Learn more about Street Closure Requests here.
  • STAKING FOR TENTS, CANOPIES AND SIGNS: Driving stakes or other in-ground anchors for the placement of tents, signs, etc. is discouraged due to potentially damaging buried utilities, communication cables, and irrigation lines. It is highly recommended that ballasted anchors be used in lieu of staking. When ordering your tent, canopy, or sign ask the vendor to use weighted (ballasted) anchors and to not drive stakes. If driving anchors is necessary, utility locates must be completed a minimum of three business days in advance of your event set-up for safe placement to avoid damaging utilities/irrigation systems. We reserve the right to deny requests that either don’t meet these recommendations or wish to stake in unapproved areas.
  • UTILITY/IRRIGATION SYSTEMS LOCATES: For utilities, contact Missouri One Call at 1-800-344-7483 or online at http://www.mo1call.com/ . For irrigation system locates contact Campus Facilities-Landscape Services at 882-8211.
  • USE OF LAWNS: Vehicles cause soil compaction, damage turf plants’ growth, and small ruts are a problem for other users. Driving or parking on any part of a lawn/landscaping is not permitted.
    • Lawns that are sodden from rain may be damaged by a large group of people standing or walking on them. If measurable rainfall has occurred in the 48 hours prior to your event, you must work with your event coordinator who will contact Campus Facilities-Landscape Services prior to your event/event set-up for a determination on holding your event on lawn areas.
    • There are activities that would not be approved because of the damage the activity causes to the grounds/landscape. If you are changing your planned activity or location, you must contact your event coordinator who will work with Campus Facilities-Landscape Services to see if it might damage the grounds/landscape before you proceed with changing your planned activity/location.
    • Event organizers are responsible for any damage done to lawns or landscaping, such as flower beds, mulching, trees, bushes, etc. and are financially responsible for any repairs that are required.
    • Do not set up your event earlier than your reservation indicates. Your reservation request should indicate setup and takedown times and dates. Tent vendors frequently try to set‐up their tents on a different schedule than your reservation indicates. Contracts with outside vendors may be requested and stored on file with your space reservation.
  • DUNKING TANK/BOOTHS: 
    • Location
      • Absence of energized electrical equipment or conductors;
      • Tank and persons participating in the activity will only be located on paved surfaces large enough to accommodate the dunk tank, throwing zones, and any participants/spectators of the activity. The placement of the dunk tank activity must not damage any turf, landscape, etc.;
      • Water requirements for many of these systems are in excess of 500 gallons. Is ample water supply to fill the tank readily available? Do you have authorization and proper tools to access the chosen water supply? Consider the time to fill tank from a standard garden hose. There will be an expense to pay for assistance with filling/draining any dunk tank.
      • Also, the water will be quite cold. Consider allowing time for the water to become tepid. Especially if ambient outdoor temperature is cool, cloudy or otherwise adverse. A nearby warming area on a paved surface for participants may need to be considered, certainly towels are in order;
      • The tank shall be filled with potable drinking water only. Absolutely no detergents, coloring agents, chemicals or any other additives shall be introduced into the water; and
      • Area must be large enough to safely accommodate participants and observers while keeping persons out of the throwing lanes, wet, soggy, slippery areas, etc.  Properly cordoning off these areas along with a safety zone behind the area should be considered and is highly recommended.

      Electrical Safety

      • If electricity is required in and around the area assure that ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are in use and properly functioning. Our recommendations are to assure no electrical connections are anywhere within the wet location to include water splash and run off areas.

      Landscape and Drainage

      • Assure that the water from the tank is drained into a nearby storm drain inlet, which will not flow over disturbed soil, damage turf, landscape or hardscape while flowing. Also, drainage must not enter buildings or cause any other nuisance or hazard. It is preferred that the tank is drained into a sanitary sewer. EH&S can assist with determining these sewer locations.

      Dunking Tank/Booth

      • Will this be “homemade” or a rented/commercial unit? Either way, but especially if “homemade” assure proper head and drop clearances. No sharp edges, pinch points, protrusions, puncture hazards, etc., which could cause bodily injury.  Entry and exit to and approaching the tank should consist of slip resistant surfaces;
      • Never leave the tank unattended or unsecured and responsible adult supervision is required at all times;
      • Only one person at a time should be permitted in the tank;
      • Use only tennis balls or other soft-type balls. Appropriate balls are generally provided with a rented/commercial unit. Never use baseballs or other hard balls;
      • Netting or other suitable means should be in place to protect the participant on the bench seat from errant throws;
      • Tank must be filled and maintained to recommended depth;
      • Non-swimmers or persons less than the recommended height should not be allowed to participate.  Participants must be able to stand with head and shoulders above water level;
      • Participants are required to sit facing forward on the bench seat upon securing the dunking device;
      • No horseplay, triggering target (dunking device) with hand or standing on the bench seat;
      • Discontinue use immediately if chance of thunderstorms is capable of producing lightning. Attendants must assure all participants and observers are moved to a safe location during an adverse weather event. Thunder and lightning events should close down the Dunking Tank/Booth event for a 30 minute period. The event will remain closed until 30 minutes has elapsed from the time of the last clap of thunder or flash of lightning.  Any subsequent thunder or lightning signals another 30 minute closing period;
      • All persons must be in good physical condition to participate.  Persons with back neck, knee or joint injury, respiratory problems or who may be pregnant should not participate.  If you are currently under medical care, you should consult your physician before participating in this event; and
      • Follow all safety, use and maintenance instructions provided with a rented/commercial Dunking Tank/Booth.

Revised 03-01-2022