Policies & Procedures

Guidelines for Candidates and Other Political Speakers 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 any political campaign. 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 be politically neutral.

It is important for all members of the University community to keep in mind certain standards applicable to appearances on campus by candidates, representatives of candidates, and other representatives of political parties or political action committees. In addition to complying with the Policy for Scheduling University Space Through Event Services and/or the Policy for Scheduling University Space Through Individual Departments, University organizations hosting or sponsoring such events must comply with, and must advise speakers and their staffs of, these guidelines:

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. 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. For example, any student group engaged in partisan activity must make it clear both in its written materials and at its events that its members speak as individuals and not for or on behalf of the University.
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, campaign, political party, or political action committee.
University students may participate in political and 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.

On occasion, members of the University community choose to pursue public office or engage in campaign-related activity while employed by the University. In addition to the guidelines listed above, and applicable provisions of the University's Policy on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure, the employee must also comply with the following:

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.
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.
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 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.
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 as part of the curriculum in a for-credit course.
The employee shall comply with all applicable Federal Election Commission and Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations that relate to or impact the University.

Latest Revision: April 2004