Responsible Office: Government Relations
Policy Officer: VP for Advancement
Scope: |Faculty |Staff |Student

Approved By: President's Council

Approved Date: 2/28/2018

Effective Date: 2/28/2018

Category: General Information

Description/Purpose:

This policy is intended to provide general guidance for faculty, staff and students so that they may fully engage in the political process in a manner that does not jeopardize the University's tax-exempt status. This policy also provides guidelines for permissible appearances of candidates on campus.

Details:

Policy Statement

Saint Francis University supports the interest of individuals and groups who wish to work as citizens through political channels for the betterment of society. Participation in political process by students, faculty, and staff can and should be an educational experience. Persons within the University are free to exercise their rights as citizens and are encouraged to be politically active, either individually or through groups and organizations.

At the same time, the University is registered as a non-profit, private institution of higher education whose activities are regulated in part by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Code states that an educational institution qualifies for tax exemption as a recipient of deductible contributions provided (1) that no substantial part of the activities (of the Institution) is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and (2) that the institution does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing and distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Any violation of this prohibition can jeopardize the University's tax-exempt status. This policy is intended to provide general guidance for faculty, staff and students so that they may fully engage in the political process in a manner that does not jeopardize the University's tax-exempt status. This policy also provides guidelines for permissible appearances of candidates on campus. No policy can anticipate every situation that may arise. Accordingly, if any proposed activity is not covered in this policy, or if there is any uncertainty regarding that activity, please contact the Office of the President or the Chief Academic Officer in advance so appropriate guidance can be provided.

Definitions

1. Campaign means an organized effort to influence individuals and/or groups to elect a particular candidate or candidates to public office.
2. Candidate means an individual who has announced themselves as campaigning for an elective public office, whether at the federal, state or local level.
3. Political Activities mean actions that endorse or oppose a candidate, a political party, or a political action committee (PAC); taking a position on an issue for the purpose of assisting or opposing a candidate or political party in a campaign; or otherwise supporting a candidate, political party or PAC in a campaign.
4. University Resources for the purposes of this policy means: University funds and purchasing mechanisms, including the Procurement Card; University offices, conference rooms and other spaces and facilities; University copiers, facsimile machines, computers and other electronic equipment; University computer networks, websites, social media accounts, e-mail accounts, listservs and mailing lists; University telephones, and voicemail and mail systems; and University letterhead, stationery and other supplies.

Political Activity Guidelines

Faculty and staff (including student employees) may not engage in political activities while working on University time.

Candidate Appearances
Appearance of a candidate (or their campaign representative) on campus must be for an educational or informational discussion, forum or talk to the University community, or for a political debate. Such appearances must be approved by the President or the Chief Academic Officer. Appearances should be academic in nature, constituting speeches, question-and-answer sessions or similar communications. The event may not be conducted as a campaign rally or intended to assist a particular candidate, and the moderator must make it clear that the University does not support or oppose any candidate.

Candidate Campaigning, Endorsement and Fundraising
Candidate campaigning (solicitation) on University property is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to posting or distribution of posters, fliers, or leaflets, or transmission of materials over the University IT network. No school, department or unit of the University may post hyperlinks to a candidate's website or campaign websites on a University website.

No candidate may be endorsed by the University or by a school, department or unit of the University. Endorsements of candidates by faculty, staff or students (e.g. letters to the editor) should be made without mention of institutional affiliation. If a member of the faculty, staff, or student body is listed as a supporter of a political campaign or initiative, it should be without mention of institutional affiliation.

Funds or other contributions to support a candidate, campaign, political party or PAC may not be solicited or made in the University's name, on University property, or using University resources. All such contributions by faculty, staff or students may be made only in an individual capacity.

(Please note that the restrictions contained in this section do not apply to mock conventions or other simulation activities)

Event Communications and Postings
Student organizations, officially-constituted campus groups, or other units of the University that are sponsoring an approved discussion, forum, talk or political debate, or an approved voter education or registration activity, may use campus communication mechanisms to announce that event. All such communications and postings must comply with the Universitys Acceptable Use of Email, Network, and Internet Resources policy and other relevant communications/social media policies.

Presentations and Political Speech
Members of the University community are free to express their individual and collective political views, provided they understand and make clear that they are speaking only for themselves and not for the University. Faculty should refrain from endorsing candidates or legislative positions in class unless it is relevant to the topic of the class.

Use of University Funds and Resources
University resources may not be used for political activities, either by University units or by outside organizations. Use of University buildings and facilities is permissible for the limited purposes set forth in section A. above. (Mock conventions or other simulation activities are excluded from this section.)

Use of University Name, Seal and Insignia
The Universitys name, seal and insignia, or those of a University school, department or unit may not be used on any documents to endorse or oppose any candidate for elective public office.

Voter Education and Registration Activities
Voter education and registration activities are permissible since they are vital to increasing public understanding of the electoral process and encouraging participation in that process. Such activities must be conducted in a non-partisan manner, and may not focus on a particular candidate or party.