6110P Flag Displays on Campus (Procedures)

Original Date: 6/11/2024     Last Revision Effective: NA

Policy Contact: Vice President, Administrative Services

Purpose

The following procedures are established to meet the requirements for implementing policy 6110 Flag Displays on Campus.

Procedure

These procedures refer to flag displays on official college flagpole(s). Generally, United States and State of Washington flags will be flown 24 hours a day, seven days a week with proper lighting. Additionally, the United States flag and Washington State flags will be flown at the athletic flagpole.  Flags may be taken down due to extreme inclement weather at the direction of the director of public safety.

POW/MIA Flag

In conformance with RCW 1.20.017 Display of national league of families’ POW/MIA flag, the POW/MIA flag will be displayed as mandated by federal law on the following days:

  • Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day on March 30
  • Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 9
  • Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday in May
  • Memorial Day on the last Monday in May
  • Flag Day on June 14
  • Independence Day on July 4
  • National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July 27
  • Patriot Day on September 11
  • National POW/MIA Recognition Day on the third Friday in September
  • Veterans Day on November 11
  • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on December 7

If the designated day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the POW/MIA flag will be displayed on the preceding Friday.

Lowering Flags to Half Staff

The college will lower flags displayed to half-staff on the following days and circumstances:

  • May 15 (Peace Officers Memorial Day)
  • Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
  • September 11 (Patriot Day)
  • October (National Firefighters Memorial Day — typically during Fire Prevention Week)
  • December 7 (Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day)
  • At the direction of the President of the United States
  • At the request of the Governor of the State of Washington
  • At the request of the college president in the event of the death of a current college employee or official.

Additional Flags

Additional flags may be flown if the college president or their designee determines the flag to be an expression of the college’s official government speech, an expression of the college’s official sentiments, and relationships, or in fulfillment of the college’s official mission and core values, including but not limited to:

  • Flags bearing official college logos
  • Flags presented to the college for outstanding achievement
  • Flags of college partners and affiliates flown during athletic events on the official college athletic flagpole.
  • Flags of other colleges or states, or governments recognized by the United States, when customary to recognize the visit of a dignitary to the college.

Requests for additional flags to be flown may be submitted to the president’s office in writing at least six weeks before the relevant date(s) to fly such flags. Flags will be flown for an agreed upon duration at the time of approval.

Symbolic/Commemorative Flags

Commemorative flags shall mean a flag that identifies with a specific event, cause, theme, nation, or group of people that the college chooses to honor, recognize, or commemorate consistent with the college’s mission and core values.

Except as provided above, commemorative flags may be displayed only as authorized by the college president or their designee as an expression of the college’s official government speech. Commemorative flags must be smaller than the United States flag but may be the same size or smaller than the Washington State flag being flown. Flags will be flown for an agreed upon duration at the time of approval. Requests regarding flag displays should be directed to the office of the president in writing.

Definitions

Official College Flagpole: primary college flagpole currently located in the center of Landerholm Circle.

Official College Athletic Flagpole: located at the nexus of athletic fields, installed for display of the United States and Washington State flags.

Responsibilities

The office of public safety maintains flag displays. Questions and requests regarding flag displays should be directed to the office of the president in writing.

Relevant Laws and other Resources

RCW 1.20.015 Display of national and state flags

RCW 1.20.017 Display of national league of families’ POW/MIA flag

6120 Use of Community College District VIII Facilities by College Groups and Non-College Groups for First Amendment Activities

Revision History

Original 6/11/24

APPROVED BY

President’s Cabinet

Last Updated June 26, 2024