Copyright Law of Cartoon Characters?

Normally, yes, but be warned that if you abuse the character excessively (using it to slander the company, for instance), some companies will come down on you like a ton of bricks. You don't want to get into a pissing match with Disney, for instance.

It depends on a number of factors. Assuming you don't have a license from the author/publisher of the original, which would take it out of the infringement discussion...

Is the character even copyrighted? Was it published prior to 1989? Registered? Renewed? Was i published in the US prior to 1923? Is the character recognizable (named and developed) or simply some background, stock character ("next door neighbor", "person on street")?

What aspects of the character are your conjuring up? The character's appearance, the unique circumstances, the story line, or something else you are creating as composite from other sources?

Does your use make fun of the character itself (which could be a permissible parody) or only ridicule someone else? For example, you couldn't have "Superman" doing something super to a "bad person", as that is EXACTLY what the copyrighted character is know for. You would have to have the character doing something very much OUT of character.

Also, if it's a state college, they can't be sued for damages for copyright infringement anyway, under the US Constitution. However, you (as assuming you're not an employee) could be.

Yes as long as you are not making money and you give credit to the original designer although, not necessary. I suggest to modify the cartoon a little and that would defeat the copyright law. For instance, modify a hand, or the nose, etc.... @Vince. I am not contradicting. Read carefully. If you want better english, I merely suggested to modify some of the drawing to be ON THE SAFE SIDE if the person doesn't feel comfortable about usage. That's It. It's easy to criticize other. Just post and respect the other posts. Am not a kid and I do know about copyright laws. And let me make myself perfectly clear. I am not promoting any contents of my answers either.

Yes, copyright law has an exemption for parodies.

You can use them in satirical cartoons, or even make an entire movie which parodies another one. Both are safe from copyright.

yes, I believe satire can use characters