♦ Open Mic Nite Guidelines

Student Programs/Coffeehouse Agreement

The following are policies added as an addendum to the existing agreement between the Department of Student Programs, ASU, and the Coffeehouse. These policies concern the use of the Coffeehouse for the reservation of (1) Meetings, (2) Special Events, and (3) Advertisements.

Meetings

The Coffeehouse is designated as facility space unavailable for the use of meetings (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly) by campus affiliated and non-campus organizations.

Special Events

During the Coffeehouse normal business hours, reservation of the facility space is reserved for Student Programs’ functions, whose focus is on entertainment activities intended to compliment the established “coffeehouse” atmosphere.

During hours the coffeehouse is not open to the public, this facility space may be reserved according to the following conditions, and with the approval of the Department of Student Programs and Coffeehouse. Reservation requests should be made in the Student Programs Office, Rm. 231, with the Reservations Manager.

1. Organization must be officially recognized or sponsored by Appalachian State University to reserve facility space.

2. Furniture must remain in its designated location. Equipment requests are limited to additional tables for handouts or displays, and podiums. In-house AV equipment is available for use during the function.

3. The Coffeehouse will not charge rent for use of the facility space, but may establish a minimum purchase contract with the organization to justify opening outside of regular business hours (See next page).

4. The Department of Student Programs may charge a staffing fee depending on the nature of the function.

5. The event cannot begin earlier or extend later than the Student Union’s posted operational hours. Mornings: 8:00 am. Evenings: 10:00 pm/Friday & Saturday 11:00 pm.

6. The function should be closed to the public, and no fee may be charged at the door

for admission.

Advertisements

Advertisements placed in the Coffeehouse (tables, front entrance) are allowed only for the promotion of Student Programs’ events occurring within the Crossroads Coffeehouse, or for Coffeehouse specials.

The Coffeehouse may maintain a community bulletin board within the facility space, with consideration for the established decorum and atmosphere of the area.

Coffeehouse Criteria for Programs

Officially recognized student clubs and organizations and university departments wishing to program entertainment in the coffeehouse must have the consent of the Department of Student Programs. All events will be co-sponsored by Student Programs and are organized and operated according to Student Programs’ policies and procedures.

The operation of the Coffeehouse bar will not close during any scheduled event.

Admission/donations will not be permitted at any scheduled event or during normal operating hours of the coffeehouse.

Alcohol is strictly prohibited from use in the coffeehouse venue.

Technical support of any activity should not interfere with the overall atmosphere and set-up of the coffeehouse for casual use. Technical support includes limited lighting, sound, and performance set-up. All technical support must be removed from the facility immediately following any scheduled event.

ASU is committed to enhancing the quality of life of all people and therefore discourages entertainment that promotes degradation of anyone based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, religion or that glorifies violence.

Following is a list of the types of events that may be co-sponsored with Student Programs: (1) Film, (2) Music, (3) Performance, (4) Dance.

Performance

Events of a performance nature must be “arts-related” and considered as a performance that entertains according to aesthetic or cultural merit, and is conducive to the established “coffeehouse” atmosphere.

Considered an “arts-related” event, poetry readings in the coffeehouse are strongly suggested to not allow language of an adult nature, due to the public setting of the coffeehouse where all ages are welcome. A warning sign will be place at the entrance of the coffeehouse to inform the user population of possible strong or graphic content.

Poetry readings of a more mature or adult nature are encouraged to use other Student Union facility space.

Presentations of an informative or academic nature would not be considered appropriate for this venue.

Films

Films that contain subject matter that depicts graphic violence or language, sexual situations or human genitalia are considered inappropriate in the public, no-age restricted environment of the coffeehouse.

Department of Student Programs

‘Open Mic Night’ Entertainment Guidelines

“Open Mic’ Night is a program planned and sponsored by The Department of Student Programs intended to provide entertainment for the Appalachian State University campus – and highlight currently enrolled ASU students, staff and faculty talent exclusively. The Department of Student Programs and its paid representatives (‘Open Mic Night’ Program Coordinators) reserve the right to control the content and artistic integrity of the event. Furthermore, the ‘Open Mic Night’ program coordinators reserve the right to determine the ‘entertainment value’ of each performance scheduled for participation in this departmentally sponsored event.

In order to maintain the artistic integrity of the ‘Open Mic Night’ program, the ‘Open Mic Night’ Program Coordinators may select to not allow a performance that does not meet their judgment of having sufficient or relevant ‘entertainment value.’ This judgment may be determined by prior exposure to a performer during a previous ‘Open Mic Night’ program.

Below are general guidelines for all performances scheduled in the Crossroads Coffeehouse, including but not limited to, the ‘Open Mic Night’ Program.

1. Events of a performance nature must be “arts-related” and considered as a performance that entertains according to aesthetic or cultural merit, and is conducive to the established “coffeehouse” atmosphere.

2. Considered an “arts-related” event, music, comedy and poetry readings in the coffeehouse may not include language of an adult nature, due to the public setting of the coffeehouse where all ages are welcome.

3. Events (i.e., poetry readings, musical performances, comedy routines) of a more mature or adult nature are more appropriately presented in a more private space.

4. Presentations of an informative or academic nature (including classes) would not be considered appropriate for this venue.

All Open Mic participants must sign agreeing to the following:

If chosen to perform during a Student Programs’ sponsored ‘Open Mic Night’ program, I agree to abide by all university and Plemmons Student Union policies and to fully cooperate with the event’s program coordinator’s enforcement of these policies.

The Department of Student Programs and its Open Mic student coordinator reserve the right to control the content and artistic integrity of the event. Consequently, the student coordinator may elect to not allow a performance that does not meet their judgment of having sufficient or relevant ‘entertainment value.’ This judgment may be determined by prior exposure to a performer during a previous ‘Open Mic Night’ program, or in the midst of a performance.