Official Use and Display of Flags

  • Responsible Oversight Executive: Vice President for Administration and Finance
  • Date of Current Revision or Creation:ÌýMarch 15, 2024
  • Download Policy PDF

The purpose of this policy is to describe the proper use and display of flags authorized to be flown by the United States, Commonwealth of Virginia, and Â鶹´«Ã½.

, grants authority to the Board of Visitors to make rules and policies concerning the institution. Section 7.01(a)(6) of theÌýBoard of Visitors BylawsÌýgrants authority to the President to implement the policies and procedures of the Board relating to University operations.

Ìý- authorizes the Governor of a state, territory, or possession of the United States to order that the national flag be flown at half-staff in that state, territory, or possession in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces from that state, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty.

Ìý- Exhibition or Display

N/A

This policy applies to all employees, students, volunteers, and visitors to the institution in regard to the use of the United States, Commonwealth of Virginia, Â鶹´«Ã½, and other authorized national flags. Employees include all staff, administrators, faculty, full- or part-time, and classified or non-classified persons who are paid by the University. Students include all persons admitted to the University who have not completed a program of study for which they were enrolled; student status continues whether or not the University's programs are in session. Visitors include vendors and their employees, parents of students, volunteers, alumni, donors, guests, uninvited guests and all other persons located on property, owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the University.

Â鶹´«Ã½ requires that the flags of the United States, Commonwealth of Virginia, Â鶹´«Ã½, and all other flags are flown in a manner that adheres to Federal, Commonwealth and University laws and regulations and are displayed at all times in a manner that conveys respect.

Ìý

The procedure for the appropriate display of the United States, Commonwealth of Virginia, and Â鶹´«Ã½ flags shall be at the direction of the Chief of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Police Department and shall comply with the general requirements and spirit of "The Flag Code of the United States (PL 77-829)," theÌýCode of Virginia,Ìýand the University.

The Chief of Police shall notify the Vice President for Administration and Finance, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management and Construction, Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Business Services, General Management of the Chartway Arena, ROTC Departments, and the University's satellite campuses whenever an order to lower flags is received.

  1. United States Flag

    The flag of the United States shall be lowered to half-staff as established by Presidential or Gubernatorial order, which is routinely communicated from the Office of the Governor to the Â鶹´«Ã½ President's Office.

  2. Commonwealth of Virginia Flag

    The flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be lowered to half-staff in accordance with orders from the Governor or the State Legislature. Notification of such direction is routinely transmitted to the Â鶹´«Ã½ President's Office from the Office of the Governor.

  3. University Flag

    The flag of Â鶹´«Ã½ shall be lowered to half-staff at the authorization of the President of Â鶹´«Ã½ or designee upon the passing of a member of the University community, including past or present Presidents, past or present members of the Board of Visitors, current employees, and other individuals whom the President may designate.

    The University flag shall be flown at half-staff from the time of notification until one day following memorial services. U.S. and Commonwealth of Virginia flags will be flown at half-staff in accordance with the executive order.

    The Office of the President shall notify the Vice President's office for Administration and Finance and the Chief of Police when orders to lower flags have been received or authorized by the President pursuant to this policy.

  4. In accordance with Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3310.1, as amended, Â鶹´«Ã½ will display the POW/MIA flag on the following days each year just below the U.S. flag as second in precedence of order:

    • Armed Forces Day - third Saturday in May
    • Memorial Day - last Monday in May
    • Flag Day - June 14
    • Independence Day - July 4
    • National POW/MIA Recognition Day - third Friday in September
    • Veterans Day - November 11
  5. United Nations, NATO, and Other Authorized Flags

    These flags will be flown below the Commonwealth of Virginia flag or Â鶹´«Ã½ flag, as appropriate, when used to symbolize distinct momentous occasions.

    When appropriate and as space permits, Â鶹´«Ã½ shall display the flags of sovereign nation-states, identified by the Department of State, with which it has student and/or faculty affiliations. The selection, purchase, and maintenance of such flags shall be coordinated by the Senior International Officer.

    The duration of flags flown, under this subsection (F, 5) shall be determined by the Office of the President of Â鶹´«Ã½.

Applicable records must be retained and then destroyed in accordance with theÌý.

Chief of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Police Department

Senior International Officer

Policy History

Policy Formulation Committee (PFC) & Responsible Officer Approval to Proceed:

/s/ÌýGarrett Shelton


Responsible Officer


January 30, 2024


Date


Policy Review Committee (PRC) Approval to Proceed:

/s/ÌýDonna W. Meeks


Chair, Policy Review Committee (PRC)


October 24, 2023


Date


Executive Policy Review Committee (EPRC) Approval to Proceed:

/s/ÌýChad A. Reed


Responsible Oversight Executive


February 2, 2024


Date


University Counsel Approval to Proceed:

/s/ÌýAllen T. Wilson


University Counsel


February 5, 2024


Date


Presidential Approval:

/s/ÌýBrian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.


President


May 4, 2012


Date

Previous Revisions: December 1, 1988; July 1, 2001; June 24, 2010; May 4, 2012; March 15, 2024

Scheduled Review Date: March 15, 2029