Display of Official Flags (Policy #022)

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on the display of the national, state, and university flags at official flagpoles.

Division of Academic Affairs

This policy applies to all university departments and units responsible for the display and maintenance of official flagpoles and official flags at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, which includes both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses.

Official Flagpole: Each campus has designated official flagpole(s). No other flagpoles can be established at either campus without approval from the Chancellor.

Official Flags: United States flag, State of Wisconsin flag, and the University flag. The Official Flags of the United States Armed Forces may also be flown at the official flagpole between Laurentide Hall and McCutchan Hall.

A. Designated Flagpoles at UW-Whitewater
I. Whitewater Campus

On the Whitewater campus, the official campus flagpoles are located:

1. 1. In front of the Alumni Center on Main Street
   2. At the Visitor Center on Starin Road
   3. Between Laurentide Hall and McCutchan Hall
   4. At the Intercollegiate Athletic fields

II. Rock County Campus

On the Rock County campus, the official campus flagpoles are located:

1. 1. Between the parking lot and the campus buildings

B. Authorized Flags for Campus Flagpoles
Only official flags may be flown on official campus flagpoles.

C. National and State Flags
It is the policy of UW-Whitewater that the national and state flags are displayed at the university in accordance with federal and state regulations. Public Law 94-344 shall govern the proper use and display of the flag. Generally, the flags will be flown 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with proper lighting. 

D. Temporary Display of Flags
Flags may be flown temporarily, such as raised and lowered for athletic events. 

E. Display of Flags During Inclement Weather
Flags may be taken down due to inclement weather by order of the Chancellor, the Chancellor’s designee, or the Chief of Police.

F. Half-Staff Display of Flags
The lowering of flags to half-staff is done on occasion by the order of the President of the United States or the Governor of Wisconsin.

G. Responsibility for Raising and Lowering Flags at Whitewater Campus
The raising and lowering of flags at official Whitewater campus flagpoles is primarily the responsibility of the UW-Whitewater University Police, with the exception of:

I. The flagpole between Laurentide Hall and McCutchan Hall, which is managed by the UW-Whitewater ROTC Program 
II. Athletic fields, which will be managed by the Intercollegiate Athletics staff.

H. Responsibility for Raising and Lowering Flags at Whitewater Campus
The raising and lowering of flags at official Rock County campus flagpoles is primarily the responsibility of the UW-Whitewater at Rock County campus staff.

I. Chancellor’s Authorization of Half-Staff Flag Display
As a measure of respect for a current employee or currently enrolled student, the University flags may be at half-staff at the direction of the Chancellor, typically for a full day.

J. Responsibility for Maintenance of University Flags
The Division of Academic Affairs is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the flags, with the exception of:

I. The flagpole between Laurentide Hall and McCutchan Hall, which is managed by the UW-Whitewater ROTC Program
II. Athletic fields, which will be managed by the Intercollegiate Athletics staff.

K. Department Responsible for Investigaing the Unauthorized Use of Flags
The UW-Whitewater University Police Department is responsible for investigating or handling any unusual circumstances at any flagpoles, such as unauthorized raising, lowering, theft, or improper use of flags.

Public Law 94-344
Flag of the United States: 4 U.S.C. Ch. 1 §§ 1 & 2
Flag of the State of Wisconsin: Wis. Stats. §§ 1.08, 1.14

First Approved: December 9, 2022

December 2027

Questions regarding the interpretation of this policy should be directed to:
Office of the Provost
Phone: 262-472-1672
Email: provostoffice@uww.edu