A wide variety of visitors have come to the University of Wisconsin - Superior to talk to students and staff lately.

Tom Nelson, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Lt. Governor, was here trying to win over potential voters last month. Members of the Giddeons International did some evangelizing on campus recently and offered free bibles. Recruiters from the Target corporation will be here Wednesday to talk to students about internships and paid positions with the company.

Of course there are some rules about who can do what on University property.

Gail Archambault, director of the Yellowjacket Union, was quick to explain. Student and faculty organizations are free to reserve a table or booth in the YU. Outside groups like Target must be invited and sponsored by a recognized student group or University department or program. Career Services sponsors Target and some of the other employers coming this month like Vector Marketing and Northwestern Mutual Financial. 

For profit organizations must also pay a fee, and are limited to visiting three days per semester. No one is allowed to roam around the building and approach or confront people. They have to wait for people to come to the table.

“Even if it was a student candidate, they can’t walk up to people saying ‘hey, hey, hey, vote for me,’” Archambault said. “This is the students’ living and dining area.”

These rules evolved out of some problems that came up during the late nineties. Credit card companies were frequently on campus, said Archambault, “They were offering free T-shirts and candy bars to students who filled out a credit card application.” Some students ended up with credit cards that cost them money, as well as put a black mark on their credit histories.

But outside the buildings is pretty much fair game.

Campus Safety Director Gary Gulbrandson said as s long as people don’t block entrances or disrupt the usual business of the University, they are mostly free to do what they like outside.

“We encourage anyone who wants to come here and get their word out. That’s fine.”

The Giddeons, like most visitors, were very respectful and just here to get their message out. This does occasionally lead to some heated incidents like the confrontational evangelist who came to the campus last year and stood outside shouting his message at students and others passing by.

Gulbrandson said that in those very rare cases, “We would do our best to keep it from escalating.” For the most part Gulbrandson doesn’t think it is an issue here at UW-Superior.

“Freedom of speech is a basic principal of a democracy. We’re a liberal arts college so we certainly promote anything relating to free speech. We welcome people to come on campus to express their views on various issues including political matters,” Gulbrandson said.

Students are free to post political signs in the windows of their residence hall rooms, and can post flyers on the bulletin boards placed about campus.

Student organizations are also encouraged to sponsor forums or debates on campus, like the debate between Republicans Sean Duffy and Dan Mielke, primary opponents for the 7th congressional district seat vacated by David Obey.

“They’re informing the public, and I think a more informed public makes a better choice at the ballot box. It’s part of our democratic process,” Gulbrandson said.