Advertising Policies
1. The Maroon does not accept advertising touting term paper or research services.
2. The Maroon does not accept advertising for X-rated motion pictures or pornographic material.
3. The Maroon does not accept advertising that promotes or offers services for abortions, advocates abortion, solicits membership in pro-abortion organizations, or announces speakers advocating abortion (except when they are participating in on-campus debates on the issue).
4. Advertising for birth control or family planning must conform with Roman Catholic principles.
5. Advertisements that offer assistance to those who desire to bring a difficult and/or unwanted pregnancy to full term will be accepted, subject to accepted standards of good taste and journalistic norms outlined in the advertising acceptability code. All such ads submitted must be accompanied by a letter stating that the agency does not counsel or perform abortion services.
6. Anti-abortion (pro-life) advertisements may be accepted providing that they conform to The Maroon’s code of advertising acceptability.
7. Alcohol advertising will be accepted providing that the ads conform to The Maroon’s code of advertising acceptability and do not promote excessive consumption or irresponsible use of alcoholic beverages.
8. Cigarette advertising will be accepted, provided they carry the health warning approved by the U.S. Surgeon General.
Approved: James C. Carter, S.J.
September 5, 1984
Revised: 2008
Code of Advertising Acceptability
1. No form of advertising shall be accepted that contains or suggests false, exaggerated or misleading statements, claims or implications. Any claims made must be capable of substantiation.
2. The Maroon does not accept any advertising submitted by any person or group that would expect to receive any publicity in the news or feature or editorial columns.
3. The Maroon does not accept any advertising that contains attacks of a personal, sexist, racial or religious nature.
4. The Maroon does not accept advertising that might destroy the confidence of readers or advertisers. This includes advertising that is misleading or deceptive or grossly exaggerates, makes unwarranted claims or unfairly disparages products, services or the reputation of another company.
5. The Maroon does not accept advertising that evades or attempts to encourage the evasion or violation of any law, regulation or ordinance — university, municipal, state or federal.
6. The Maroon does not accept advertising that is vulgar or contradicts the Roman Catholic orientation of the University. All advertising must comply with accepted standards of fairness and good taste.
7. All advertising is subject to acceptance by The Maroon, which reserves the right to reject copy.
Approved: Rev. James C. Carter, S.J.
September 5, 1984
Updated 2008
Advertising Acceptability Committee
The ultimate authority in determining whether an advertisement is acceptable resides in the publisher. This authority is delegated to the publisher’s representative and through that position to the business manager of The Maroon.
At the discretion of the business manager, questionable advertising will be submitted to The Maroon review committee. The review committee will consist of The Maroon editor in chief, the business manager, the managing editor and one elected delegate from the business staff. The adviser will serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the review committee. A decision by the review committee may be appealed to the publisher’s representative.
If advertising run in The Maroon is questioned as objectionable by a reader, the offended person (or group) may request the review committee to decide whether the advertising meets The Maroon’s standards of acceptability. After considering the question, the review committee will make a recommendation to the publisher’s representative.
In either instance, decisions by the publisher’s representative may be appealed to the publisher in extraordinary circumstances.
If an advertising policy question arises that is not covered in the Code of Advertising Acceptability or the Operational Policies, the publisher’s representative (after consultation with the business manager) will recommend a new policy to the Board of Communications. The Board’s decision is forwarded to the publisher for consideration.