Introduction
The following Policy is provided to supplement the University鈥檚 Political and Campaign Activity Policy. This Policy contains guidance for students and student organizations wishing to engage in political campaign activities.
General Prohibition
University students, strictly in their individual capacity, may become involved in political campaigns so long as they do not utilize the University鈥檚 financial resources, facilities, or personnel to do so. This would include using University equipment (e.g., i.e. computer, telephone, etc.), mail, e-mail (@rockhurst.edu), social media accounts, or internet network to promote a particular candidate or engage in fundraising.
This prohibition does not apply to private devices or personal email using the University鈥檚 internet network, provided that such use is de minimus, does not unduly burden University technology systems, or suggest the university endorses or supports the activity originating on the private device. For example, while on a private device attached to the University鈥檚 network, a student connected to a personal email account may forward an email in support of a candidate to personal contacts at their personal email addresses; use personal online payment accounts to make a contribution to a candidate; or 鈥渓ike鈥 a political candidate鈥檚 post through a personal social media account.
Neither the University鈥檚 name nor its insignia may appear on any material used or intended for partisan political purposes.
Student Organizations
The University encourages and supports the free exchange of ideas and political viewpoints. The University recognizes a student鈥檚 right to participate in the political process, and a student is permitted to do so provided that he/she acts in an individual capacity and not as a representative of the University. The following summarizes the Policy regarding the activities of the student organizations.
Use of Facilities and Resources. A recognized student organization may use the University鈥檚 facilities to conduct meetings provided the organizations obtain prior approval and pay any normal fees for use of facilities, if any. The student organizations must make clear that any political views presented at such meetings do not reflect those of the University.
A recognized student organization may not:
- Use University facilities to raise funds to benefit a political party, campaign or candidate through admissions, fees, contributions, donations, or sale of materials or services;
- Use University facilities for planning or participating in the operational process of a political campaign;
- Use organization or University funds to purchase promotional material; pay for campaign ads or contribute in any way to a political campaign.
- Use organization or University funds to pay honoraria or cover transportation, audio/visual services accommodation or meal expenses for candidates for public office; or
- Use University resources, including but not limited to, mail distribution services, the university seal or other identifying marks, stationary and letterhead, or facsimile and duplicating machines, for political campaigns or solicitation endorsement of candidates for public office.
Request to Bring a Candidate for Public Office to Speak
If a recognized student organization wishes to invite a candidate to address students, staff, faculty, the Rockhurst community, and the general public, it must secure approval from Student Development and comply with Section IV of the University鈥檚 Political and Campaign Activity Policy.
Voting Education on Campus
A student organization may wish to engage in on-campus voter education programs including the dissemination of voter guides and incumbent voting records provided all groups are allowed to present the information and preferential treatment is not given to a particular group. The time, location and duration of this program shall be determined in advance by the University. Rockhurst employees should refrain from any involvement in such student activities to avoid the appearance of institutional endorsement.
Political Signs
The University may allow political signs in residential rooms as long as they are in good taste, not offensive and comply with University鈥檚 policies and procedures. Signs may not be placed in common areas, on the outside of buildings (including facing out from office, classroom, or residential windows), or on the grounds. This is to avoid any suggestions that the University is endorsing a candidate.
Campaigning on Behalf of a Specific Candidate/ Attending Rallies
Student organizations are encouraged to help educate and inform students about upcoming elections, including urging students to exercise their right to vote. Distribution of political literature and campaigning may be conducted in residence halls, subject to the University鈥檚 policies governing the time, place and manner for engaging in such activities. The use of any other building or area on campus will require the prior approval of the University as to the time, location and duration to ensure equal opportunity to all organizations.
Student organizations are also free to express their views about the parties and candidates. If University students wish to volunteer and campaign for candidates or attend rallies, they must do so provided they are acting as individuals and not on behalf of the University.
Use of Student Activity Fee Funds
Student organizations are permitted to use the student activity fees to cover expenses normally related to the organization鈥檚 regular activities permitted by the University鈥檚 policies and procedures. This would include expenses associated with regular meetings, special gatherings and events that relate to the organization鈥檚 activity. However, the student organization is prohibited from using its student activity fee funds for activities that support or oppose a particular political candidate. Student organizations may not use student activity fee funds in a manner which would constitute making a direct gift, contribution, or donation to a particular candidate or political party. Accordingly, if the funding is used for materials, posters and related items and these materials constitute a gift, contribution or donation to a candidate or party, it would not be permitted. Student organizations may, however, use segregated fees to support their own expressive activities and views. Questions about appropriate uses of fees should be referred to Student Development.
Candidacy for Elective Public Office
If a student decides to run as a candidate for political office (including but not limited to any national, state or local governmental position), the student must comply with the provisions of this Policy at all times. With respect to his or her candidacy, the student shall not:
solicit support or opposition for his or her candidacy at any time on University property without prior approval of Dean of Students and compliance with the Policy set forth in this document; or
use University funds, services, supplies, vehicles or other property to support or oppose his or her candidacy for public office.
Student Publications
Student publications may include editorial material expressing views on candidates for public office. The editorial section of the publication must contain a statement that the views expressed in the editorials are those of the student editors and not those of the University. The student publication must be free from the editorial control of the University administrators or faculty advisors.
Other Policies
Students and student organizations wishing to engage in partisan political activities should be aware of the University鈥檚 Political and Campaign Activity Policy.