Prioritizing Collaboration

The Student Run Coffee Shops are committed to fostering innovative environments where the campus community can engage with and develop the cafés in new and exciting ways. Inviting the campus to participate in the full utilization of our cafes is important to us.

All forms of collaboration, promotional materials, or event partnerships must align with our core mission and values and be approved by the Assistant Director for Business Operations and Student Retail, and by the General Manager of the designated coffee shop location.

Promotional Opportunities

Available to: Registered Student Organizations (RSO) and University Departments (Dept)

Cost:  RSO/Dept is responsible for the full cost of the promotional product, including design and shipping costs.  RSO/Dept is also responsible for the cost of any discount they would like to provide to coffee shop patrons.  Student Centers does not charge a fee for the implementation and distribution of these products, but we retain any cost savings obtained through their use.

Timeline:  Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the start date requested.  Dates may be booked by other organizations, and are not guaranteed.

Duration:  Coffee shop promotional products may be used for 2 weeks or up to 2000 cups, whichever comes first.

Frequency:  Each RSO/Dept/Event can only take advantage of this promotional opportunity once per year, per shop.  Exceptions may be granted for institutional priorities.

Materials:

• Custom Coffee Sleeves. Must choose an option that fits our standard cup sizes.
• Custom Coffee Cups. Can choose to sponsor small, large, or both sizes of cups.
• Custom Stickers. Can be up to 2.5” round or square, and must be applied by the group onsite at mutually agreeable time.

Content:

• All designs must be submitted for approval prior to printing.
• Designs can promote group membership or specific events but cannot promote social or political causes.
• Our coffee shops are a space for the entire campus community, and it is important that all students feel welcome.  With that in mind, the following guidelines should guide your design:
  • • Designs should clearly include the RSO or Department name.
    • Designs that promote education, learning, and interest are welcome.
    • Designs that provoke reactions of shock, offense, or anger should be avoided.
    • Coffee shop sleeves can contain words and images, but should avoid:
      • • Hate Speech or discriminatory content
        • Vulgar language or lewd images
        • Political statements, images, or endorsements
        • Intellectual property to which you don’t have the rights
    • Consider what is or isn’t allowable under university policies and the student handbook.

Business Continuity:

• Coffee shop promotions are not an outlet for free expression and cannot be used to the detriment of our business.  We reserve the right to deny or stop using any promotional products that are attracting negative attention to our brand or negatively affecting our sales.

Patron Right to Decline:

• All coffee shop customers have the right to decline the promotional product, and to request a standard cup/sleeve instead.

Posting Policy

Advertisements in the coffee shops that do not explicitly involve the Point of Sale should follow the regular building posting guidelines for the building in which they are located.  Any posters should be placed on appropriate posting boards, not on coffee shop walls, pillars, tables, or counters.  Groups should reference the university posting policy for other related policies and guidelines.  https://studentmanual.uchicago.edu/student-life-conduct/posting-policy/

Submitting a Request

We have accepted our final submissions for the 2024 academic year.  Submission form is now closed.

We are now beginning to plan for next year.  Check back in Fall 2024 to see what fun new ideas we have brewing in our coffee shops!