Policies and Procedures
We are proud of our beautiful campus and its iconic landmarks. To ensure privacy and security and reduce potential disruption of campus activities, Mizzou has established guidelines that clarify the rights and responsibilities of guests planning campus photography, filming and videography. For simplicity, any reference to “photography” on this page includes all forms of film, video, digital imaging and any associated audio recordings. Producers must follow these guidelines to obtain permission for all forms of media mentioned above. If you need information unavailable in these guidelines, please contact MU Operations.
Guidelines
Photography at the University of Missouri may not be used in any way to imply that Mizzou endorses any individual, organization, product or activity unless such endorsement is specifically granted in writing by appropriate MU authorities. Commercial endorsements are prohibited by the Collected Rules and Regulations (170.040) under which Mizzou operates.
Granting of photographic permission on campus or on any Mizzou-owned property in no way implies surrender of the university’s right to manage and supervise its property under normal rules governing its operation. The campus is private property, and the university may request that guests leave for any reason at any time. Those photographing at Mizzou agree, in the event of such a request, that the university’s liability is limited to the refund of any campus photographic usage fees that have been paid.
Student-Athletes/Name, Image, Likeness (NIL)
If you are interested in taking or using photography and/or video that includes a student-athlete, please reach out to the Director of Licensing and Brand Management by emailing identity@missouri.edu.
Equipment
To prevent damage to campus inlaid stone, brick floors and walkways, all photographers must ensure that appropriate precautions are taken. All photographic and lighting equipment must include protective rubber contact points.
Identification and Use of Campus Images
No identification of Mizzou as a location is permitted for commercial use, except in rare instances and only when a request for the specific use has been submitted for prior approval. The request will be reviewed by Licensing and Brand Management, the Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications, and the President. The request will be approved only when it is deemed to be in the university’s best interests. Identification includes, but is not limited to, trademarks, icons, recognizable university landmarks, and merchandise containing trademarked images and logos. These include flags, apparel, posters and miscellaneous items containing Mizzou marks and logos. Identification also includes verbal references on film or video.
Drones
In accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, Mizzou does not allow the use of any Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or “drones,” on campus. Anyone caught flying such a device will be subject to the appropriate course of legal action. Requests for use of drones on campus must be submitted and approved by the office of Environmental Health & Safety.
Incidental Photography
Incidental photography includes recording for noncommercial use, internal use, class projects or personal use. Incidental photography does not require a permit and is not charged a fee. This form of photography requires no special services if it does not in any way disrupt the normal functioning of the university.
The resulting photographs, film, video, digital imaging and any associated audio recordings cannot be used for commercial purposes after they have been created without written permission from Licensing and Brand Management. Mizzou reserves the right to ask individuals and groups filming for any purpose, including those designated above, and to stop all on-campus activity if it is deemed disruptive.
Amateur photographers interested in creating images of Mizzou for their personal enjoyment are welcome to visit the campus and photograph the exteriors of academic buildings, administrative buildings and athletics complexes (see campus map). We ask that they abide by the following guidelines:
- Refer to the Residence Hall Film Policy if photographing or filming in and around residence halls.
- Avoid disruption of classes or other university functions. In particular, please refrain from filming the interiors of any buildings unless you have secured prior permission using the On-Campus Photo Shoot & Filming Request Form.
- Respect the rights of our students, employees and visitors not to be photographed or filmed without their knowledge and permission.
News Media Photography
The photo and video needs of print, broadcast and online media can be accommodated at no charge with the assistance of Mizzou News and Information.
Political Photography and Filming
As a nonprofit educational institution, Mizzou is constrained by law from endorsing any political candidate or party. Photographing or filming candidates or elected officials in front of recognizable landmarks and using such images in campaigns or other promotional materials can imply endorsement. Therefore, the university is unable to approve such video and photography requests. Questions concerning any proposed political use of the campus should be directed to the Director of Government Relations for the University of Missouri System.
Bridal and Professional Portrait Photography
Mizzou is proud to be part of the special memories of so many brides, grooms and families. Professional photographers may use the campus for wedding portraiture by prior arrangement. Producing portraits and other photography to be used for promotional or commercial purposes requires permission as described below. Use of some locations, such as the Missouri Theatre, must be scheduled for these types of photographs. In these cases, the same policy applies, and the university charges a fee for use of the building.
Commercial Use or Promotional Reproduction
Requests for filming or photographing the MU campus for commercial use or promotional reproduction should be made in writing using the On-Campus Photo Shoot & Filming Request Form. Requests must be submitted a minimum of 10 business days before the photographer’s need-to-know deadline to allow time for appropriate approvals. The completed form should be accompanied by one or both of the following:
- An unabridged copy of the shooting script, with the scene(s) to be shot on campus highlighted.
- A rough layout of the proposed ad or printed collateral showing the specific text that would be associated with any campus image(s).
Insurance Requirements
For this type of photography, photographers must provide proof of insurance, as outlined in the Required Insurance for Lessees of Facilities.
Additional Agreements
Execution of a separate Campus Use Agreement also may be required. Shooting of commercial stock photography on the campus is not permitted.
Scout Visits
Scout visits are useful to producers and help university officials clearly determine the needs of a production. Anyone wishing to scout locations before submitting a written photography or filming request should contact Mizzou Operations. Permission for a scouting visit does not constitute approval by the university for the use of its facilities.
Fees
Permit fees and location fees are based on multiple variables. The length of the shoot, the locations involved, the type of production and the types of Mizzou services needed are considered in the total cost. In certain limited instances, a permit may be issued, and a fee waiver may be granted for uses such as public service announcements.
Permit Fees
These fees are based on half-day and whole-day rates. A half-day is defined as five or fewer hours. A whole day is six to 12 hours. Requests for blocks of time longer than 12 hours occasionally may be considered.
| Category 1 | Category 2 | |
| Feature Film | Non-Broadcast Video | |
| Regional/National Broadcast | Local Broadcast | |
| Regional/National Commercial | Local Commercial | |
| Regional/National Print | Local Print | |
| Day Part | ||
| Whole Day: Shooting | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| Half Day: Shooting | $1,000 | $750 |
| Whole Day: Set/Strike | $600 | $300 |
| Half Day: Set/Strike | $300 | $175 |
Other forms of media are not exempt from this fee and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Location Fees
Location fees are charged in addition to permit fees on a per-day basis. A representative sample of location fees is listed below. These location fees do not include fees for university services such as MUPD, Parking and Transportation, Campus Facility Services and Landscape Services. The actual cost for those services is added to the total production cost.
| Classrooms, Hallways | $250 |
| Exteriors | $350 |
Insurance
MU may request that the production have insurance with a Missouri-authorized insurer in the amounts stipulated below and may require that the producers provide a certificate of insurance naming the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri as additional insured. (See below for exact phrasing.) The certificate of insurance must be received no fewer than seven days before shooting begins.
- Provide workers’ compensation — statutory limits.
- Provide comprehensive general liability, including personal injury liability coverage — $3,000,000.
- Name the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri, its officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional insureds.
- Provide certificate(s) of insurance, prior to or with the signed Location Agreement, that are not subject to cancellation without 30 days written notice to the university.
Payments and Deposits
Mizzou has the option to require a deposit before a permit will be granted. This deposit is to be received no fewer than five business days before the beginning of the first day of shooting on campus. Full payment for all costs incurred is due to the university within 30 days of the date of the final invoice. Payment should be made payable to Board of Curators, University of Missouri, and sent or delivered to:
Reservations and Events
S4 Memorial Union
Columbia, MO 65211
Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation for an approved permit or agreement has been received before the production begins, then the production is liable for any actual costs incurred by the university as of the time of the receipt of the cancellation notice. Mizzou shall have the right of cancellation if the agreement holder is deemed insolvent or, in the university’s sole opinion, fails to perform any material term in the agreement after having received written notice from the university to do so.