WAC 504-36-030:

504-36-020 << 504-36-030 >> End of Chapter

PDFWAC 504-36-030

Spectator events—Safety rules.

(1) Protection of the safety and general welfare of students, faculty and staff, performers and officials, and members of the general public attending or participating in spectator events on campus is a primary concern of Washington State University.

(2) The following rules of conduct apply to all spectator events of Washington State University. "Spectator event," for the purposes of this section, means ticketed or nonticketed athletic or entertainment events held on any portion of university property and all campuses and locations (hereafter the "event site").

(a) Behavior which in the judgment of designated university officials, as defined in subsection (4) of this section, constitutes a disruption of the event or a safety hazard for other spectators or participants is prohibited.

(b) For ticketed events, an individual is entitled to occupy only the seat for which they have the proper ticket.

(c) Photographing or making audio or visual recordings of a spectator event for commercial purposes is not permitted without specific written permission from the WSU athletic department (for athletic events) or the performer and applicable designated university official (for entertainment events).

(d) Aisles, walkways, and stairs must be kept clear of hazards and obstacles at all times to ensure safe and easy passage for all persons.

(e) All WSU campuses and locations are tobacco free.

(f) Unless otherwise expressly permitted by the specific event rules, each spectator is allowed to bring one empty disposable or nondisposable water bottle into the event site, provided that the capacity of the water bottle is no more than one and one-half liters. All other beverage containers and devices used for carrying beverage containers are prohibited.

(g) For events that have been designated by university officials as subject to the clear bag policy in subsection (3)(d) of this section, bags brought to the event site must comply with the following rules:

(i) Subject to the following exceptions, each spectator is allowed to bring only one bag into an event site. The bag must be clear (clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC) and no larger than 14 inches by eight inches by 14 inches. In addition to one clear bag as described, a spectator may bring the following, subject to additional inspection upon entrance:

(A) One small clutch bag, with or without a handle strap, that is no larger than four and one-half inches by six and one-half inches (the approximate size of a hand).

(B) An additional clear bag of the size specified above for medically necessary items.

(C) An additional clear bag of the size specified above for supplies (such as diapers, wipes, and similar items) for babies and small children.

(ii) For seated events, any bag(s) must be small enough to fit completely under the spectator's seat, where such bags must be kept.

(h) For events that have been designated by university officials as subject to the clear bag policy, prohibited bags and containers include, but are not limited to:

(i) Purses larger than a clutch bag;

(ii) Coolers;

(iii) Briefcases;

(iv) Backpacks and hydration packs;

(v) Fanny packs;

(vi) Cinch bags;

(vii) Luggage of any kind;

(viii) Computer or camera bags;

(ix) Binocular cases;

(x) Any bag that does not meet the requirements of (g) of this subsection.

(i) For events that have been designated by university officials as subject to the clear bag policy, spectators are allowed to bring personal items, e.g., keys, cellular telephones, wallet, makeup, in their pockets if they choose not to use a clear bag.

(j) The following items are prohibited in all event sites:

(i) Fireworks, weapons, explosive devices, or artificial noisemaking devices (such as airhorns);

(ii) Items deemed potentially dangerous by designated university officials;

(iii) Drones;

(iv) Laser pointers;

(v) Extension items used to hold cellular telephones or cameras in place (e.g., "selfie sticks");

(vi) Flag poles, or any items that act as an extension of an arm and have a flag or sign affixed;

(vii) Footballs, frisbees, sport balls, any kind of inflatable balls, or any other projectiles;

(viii) Umbrellas;

(ix) Seat cushions with rigid frames, unless expressly permitted by the specific event rules. Seatback cushions must:

(A) Be soft sided;

(B) Contain no pockets or zippers; and

(x) Pets or animals, except as allowed by WAC 504-36-020 or as otherwise required by state or federal law;

(xi) Food and beverages, unless expressly permitted by the specific event rules or purchased from a vendor within the event site;

(xii) Possessing and/or consuming illegal drugs or marijuana. Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted subject to restrictions.

(A) Any illegal drugs, marijuana, or alcoholic beverages, except for such beverages provided in accordance with (j)(xii)(B) of this subsection, found in the possession of a spectator or otherwise found on the event site may be confiscated and delivered to the custody of designated university officials for law enforcement purposes or for disposal, as appropriate.

(B) Alcoholic beverages may be possessed, sold, served, and consumed at event sites only under a valid permit or license issued by the Washington state liquor and cannabis board. Events at which alcoholic beverages are possessed, sold, served, and consumed must comply with the restrictions imposed by the Washington state liquor and cannabis board, the restrictions and policies imposed by the university, and all applicable laws.

(3) Designated university officials, as defined in subsection (4) of this section, are authorized to act to the fullest extent of the law to enforce the prohibitions set forth in subsection (2) of this section. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Designated university officials may perform an inspection of all items, bags, and persons entering or present at any event site.

(b) Designated university officials may use additional methods of security screening including, but not limited to, video security systems, metal detection, and other technologies, to detect the presence of prohibited items at an event site.

(c) The university chief of police/director of public safety, or designee; the director of campus safety or equivalent for locations other than Pullman, or designee; in consultation with the event sponsor, may implement a no reentry policy for any event.

(d) The clear bag policy is enforced at various venues at the discretion of university personnel and management. Exceptions may also be made depending on the venue. If a designated university official makes the determination that a given bag is prohibited, the possessor of the bag must remove the bag from the event site premises or may surrender the bag to such designated university official for disposal.

(e) When there is reasonable cause to believe that a person is violating, or is attempting to violate, the requirements identified in subsection (2) of this section, such person is denied license or privilege to enter or remain in or upon the event site premises, and designated university officials may take necessary action to deny entry or to remove such persons from the event site premises.

(f) Prohibited items found in the possession of a spectator or otherwise found on the event site are to be confiscated and delivered to the custody of designated university officials for law enforcement purposes or for disposal, as appropriate.

(g) Violation of the requirements identified in subsection (2) of this section or failure to vacate the event site premises upon request of designated university officials may result in university disciplinary action (if applicable), a no trespass order under WAC 504-35-150 (Administrative control—Trespass) barring the individual from campus, and/or subsequent legal proceedings under federal or state law and/or the Washington Administrative Code.

(4) For purposes of this section, designated university officials include the president of the university or designee, the executive vice president for finance and administration or designee, campus chancellor or designee of the campus where the event site is located, and the following officials:

(a) Director of athletics or designee for athletic events;

(b) Director of the Beasley Coliseum or designee for Beasley Coliseum events;

(d) Director of the School of Music or designee for events sponsored by that school;

(e) The WSU chief of police/director of public safety, the director of campus safety or equivalent for locations other than Pullman, or designee;

(f) Officers of the WSU police department when (i) acting at the request of any of the above-named officials to enforce university regulations, or (ii) enforcing state laws or local ordinances;

(g) Campus safety personnel, contracted or hired security personnel, and crowd management personnel when:

(i) Acting at the direction of the above-named officials or designees to enforce university regulations; or

(ii) Enforcing state laws or local ordinances.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.30.150. WSR 24-07-031, § 504-36-030, filed 3/12/24, effective 4/12/24; WSR 18-23-085, § 504-36-030, filed 11/19/18, effective 12/20/18; WSR 17-11-010, § 504-36-030, filed 5/8/17, effective 6/8/17; WSR 12-18-021, § 504-36-030, filed 8/27/12, effective 9/27/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.30.125 and [28B.30.]150(1). WSR 97-20-019, § 504-36-030, filed 9/19/97, effective 9/19/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.30.125 and 28B.30.150. WSR 80-07-015 (Order 80-2, Resolution 6/80-15), § 504-36-030, filed 6/11/80; Order 77-2, § 504-36-030, filed 8/3/77.]