By Rebeccah Barger
Princeton University captures the imagination with its gothic architecture and natural beauty, but few people are aware that the university’s five most iconic sites—Nassau Hall, Alexander Hall, Blair Hall arch, steps and tower, FitzRandolph Gates and Lewis Library—are what the University deems “restricted imagery.”
University imagery policy stipulates that images that include all or recognizable portions of these five sites are permitted for use only on university business, and are not permitted for other use, whether the pics are supplied by the university or taken independently. The policy also covers commercial use of photography, requiring prior consent for any images used in advertising, merchandising and all other forms.
Princeton University has maintained its photography policy dating back decades, to keep the university from sanctioning outside organizations or their beliefs.
“We want to avoid conveying in any way Princeton University’s endorsement, approval or affiliation of any views, products or services,” said Min Pullan, media relations specialist for Princeton University. “The use of iconic images might run the risk of doing that.”
One might think that the policy is not in keeping with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. But the Founding Fathers had never heard of cameras, and photography is not expressly protected by the Bill of Rights, not for journalists or anyone else.
According to the First Amendment Center, recent court cases have found for the plaintiff when the photographer was a credentialed press photographer (on an accident scene closed to the public) and even when the photographer was taking shots for personal recreational use.
