Policies & Procedures
Guidelines for Political Campaign-Related Activities at Washington University
Washington University is committed to the expression of a wide diversity of ideas and opinions and to the discussion of those ideas and opinions. Consistent with these principles, the University encourages University organizations to sponsor speakers of varying ideas and opinions, subject to the University's obligations to maintain political neutrality, to comply with applicable law, and to provide a safe and secure forum.
Washington University enjoys tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is thus prohibited from participating or intervening, directly or indirectly, in the campaign of any candidate or political party. Federal Election Commission regulations also place limitations on political activity at educational institutions. The State of Missouri Charter that established Washington University also requires that the University remain politically neutral.
Hosting Candidates and Political Campaign Representatives
It is important for all members of the University community to adhere to certain standards applicable to appearances on campus by candidates, representatives of candidates, and other representatives of political parties or political action committees.
May candidates and political campaign representatives be invited to speak on campus?
The University welcomes speakers to campus representing a diverse range of views and beliefs. However, to ensure that the University can accommodate a particular candidate or political campaign representative, members of the University community wishing to invite someone to campus should first contact the Office for Governmental and Community Relations and the Office of Public Affairs.
Admission to speaker appearances must be open to the University community and, if the sponsoring organization chooses (in compliance with other applicable University policies), the general public, without regard to the attendees' party affiliations or support of any particular candidate. Admission may not be controlled by speakers, campaign staff, or any other person or organization not affiliated with the University.
The speaker's appearance must constitute a speech, question and answer session, or similar communication in an academic setting, and must not be conducted as a campaign rally or event. The appearance or presentation shall not be used to collect campaign or other political contributions or commitments from members of the audience.
The University may allow representatives of the news media to be present during a speaker's appearance, but only if access is permitted in a politically neutral manner. Media coverage may not be directed or controlled by speakers, campaign staff, or any other person or organization not affiliated with the University. Press conferences and other election-related media events managed by candidates and their campaign staffs generally are not permitted on University premises. Sponsoring groups anticipating or seeking media coverage are responsible for contacting the Office of Public Affairs at (314) 935-5230 in advance of any appearance.
What are the requirements for reserving space for a political campaign-related event?
Organizations or persons seeking to reserve University space for political campaign-related events should be aware that such requests are subject to specific requirements and limitations, and should follow the provisions outlined in these guidelines, as well as the Policy for Scheduling University Space Through Event Services and/or the Policy for Scheduling University Space Through Individual Departments to ensure compliance.
Certain facilities, including Graham Chapel, have specific requirements for use of the facilities such as capacity limits, sound amplification, fees, and the serving of food and beverages. Sponsoring groups and speakers must comply with these requirements, and should consult Event Services and/or the appropriate facility manager for details.
Support for Candidates or Political Parties
Can the University or University-affiliated groups advocate on behalf of a particular candidate or political party?
The University may not advocate the election or defeat of a particular candidate or political party or promote or encourage such advocacy by members of the audience at an event. Although student groups may engage in partisan activity, those groups must make it clear both in their written materials and at their events that their members speak as individuals and not for or on behalf of the University.
Can University resources be used in support of a candidate, political party, or political action committee?
The University's mailing lists, communications infrastructure (including the University website), photocopying equipment, and other University services, resources or funds may not be used in support of any candidate, political party, or political action committee. No person or group may use Washington University's name, letterhead, logo, or seal for those purposes or to solicit funds for or otherwise support or oppose any such campaign or cause.
Can University students participate in political campaign-related activities?
The University supports student efforts to become involved in the political process and campaign-related activities, both within the University community, and off-campus. When engaging in campus activities such as painting the South 40 Underpass or establishing a table in the Danforth University Center, students should follow the Residential Life and Student Activities policies and procedures associated with all such requests.
University students may be asked to participate in political campaign-related activities as part of for-credit class coursework only to the extent that such activities are genuinely aimed at educating students with respect to the electoral process, and no student is required to be active in a campaign for a candidate or cause she or he does not support.
Political Campaign Activity by University Employees
On occasion, members of the University community choose to pursue public office or engage in campaign-related activity while employed by the University. Employees engaging in those activities shall comply with all applicable Federal Election Commission and Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations that relate to or impact the University, the applicable provisions of the University's Policy on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure, and the provisions of this policy.
May an employee engage in campaign activity during business hours?
If any campaign-related activity is expected to take place during the employee's normal working hours or to otherwise impair the employee's ability to carry out his or her normal employment obligations, the employee must assure strict compliance with the requirements of the federal election regulations, and should consult with University administration before becoming a candidate or undertaking other such campaign-related activity.
May an employee use University resources for campaign-related activities?
The employee-candidate shall not use any University mailing lists, communications infrastructure (including the University website), photocopying services, letterhead, logos, facilities, personnel (while such personnel is on University time) or any other University resources for any campaign-related activities.
Is an employee permitted to use the University’s name in connection with campaign-related activities?
The University's name may not be mentioned in the solicitation of contributions or other commitments, other than to identify the University as the employee's place of employment. If the employee uses the University's name for identification purposes in such a manner, the employee shall also make clear that the University is not endorsing the employee, and that the employee's views are not necessarily those of the University.
May an employee seek campaign contributions or assistance from other University employees?
The employee shall not seek financial contributions or request volunteer campaign assistance from other University employees who report, directly or indirectly, to the employee involved in the political activity. If the employee is a faculty member or instructor, such employee may not require campaign assistance or participation from students.
Issue Advocacy
As stated herein, the University is prohibited from endorsing a candidate for public office. The University may engage in lobbying and public policy education activities, although those activities are subject to certain constraints. Promoting voting in a particular manner with respect to issues that have become uniquely and powerfully identified with particular candidates or parties is not permitted. However, the University may comment on issues critical to its tax-exempt purposes, including engaging in referenda and ballot initiatives, if it has a history of commenting on such matters in non-election years.
Latest Revision: September 2008
Copyright 2000-2008, Washington University in St. Louis
