Case Western Reserve University is committed to the free expression
of political views by members of the campus community and to
the value of discourse and debate as an essential underpinning
of the higher education experience.
In parallel, the University must comply with provisions governing
its tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code and its own internal policies. It must ensure that
activities by members of the University community and the University
itself do not call into question, or appear to call into question,
the institution’s non-partisan, educational, tax exempt
status. Federal laws stipulate that non-profit, tax exempt institutions
of higher education are prohibited from participating in, or
intervening in, any partisan political campaign on behalf of
any candidate for public office. In addition, the University
must insure that activities on campus are consistent with its
own established policies.
The following is an overview of the guidelines and restrictions
that apply to campus involvement in political campaigns, based
on current law and University policy.
Every member of the Case Western Reserve University community
has a right to participate in the electoral process. However,
no member of the University community is permitted to act, or
appear to act, on behalf of the University in a political campaign,
partisan political activity or on behalf of a public issue.
• Student organizations may advocate publicly a position
on a political issue, provided the organization clearly identifies
itself as a student organization and communicates in any public
statement that it does not represent or speak on behalf of the
University.
• Students, faculty, staff may engage freely in comment
on political issues or public policy as individual citizens,
provided that they clearly identify that the opinions expressed
are their own and do not represent the official position of
Case Western Reserve University.
• Use of the University’s name, letterhead, logo
and/or resources for partisan electoral purposes such as: solicitation
of funds or other contributions in support of a political party
or candidate; endorsement of candidates for public office; or
advocating a position with regard to a public issue (other than
as an authorized spokesperson on behalf of the institution)
is prohibited.
Curricular activities and university-sponsored forums to educate
students with respect to the political process are encouraged.
Every effort must be made to ensure that appearances on campus
of candidates for public office, or their political representatives,
have substantive educational purpose and are conducted in the
form of an address or question and answer format. Candidate
appearances cannot be conducted solely as campaign rallies or
events; University policy prohibits such activity in University
facilities.
• If a candidate for public office is invited to appear
as a candidate, other candidates for that office must be afforded
equal opportunity to appear at the same or another like event.
• If a candidate for public office is invited to campus
in another capacity there is no need to invite opponents BUT
care must be taken not to mention or endorse their candidacy.
An explicit statement should be made as part of the introduction
of the speaker that the institution does not support or oppose
the candidate.
• Use of campus facilities for campaign or party fund-raising
activities is prohibited.
Guidelines for electioneering and dissemination of campaign
materials:
• Use of campus mail service (other than US Mail), campus
e-mail, campus mailing lists, college-provided office supplies,
computers, telephones, facsimile machines, or copiers, for soliciting
votes or campaign fund raising is prohibited.
• Campaign workers, including students, faculty and staff,
are not permitted to engage in person-to-person solicitation
of funds through the campus mail service.
• Political campaign signs and handbills of candidates
for public office or for ballot initiatives can be distributed
by hand outdoors only and are subject to the campus Posting
Policy.
Other provisions concerning campus involvement in political
campaigns:
• Organized voter registration activities, voter education
programs, and “get out the vote” drives are exempt
from the provisions identified above, provided that no attempt
is made to advance or oppose individual candidates for office
or a political party or to promote a position on a public referendum
or issue expected to be on the ballot of the next election.
• Partisan editorial activities by the Observer
or other student publications supported by the college are not
restricted.
University facilities use:
• University services and facilities may not be used
for political fundraising or to advocate a partisan position
and requests for their use will not be granted for activities
that may cause the University to appear to be taking a position
with regard to a public issue or candidate for public office.
This restriction applies to the use of campus mail services,
university mailing lists and labels, duplicating and printing
equipment and university phone services.
If you have questions or need clarification about a particular
event, you may call Government Relations (368-1723).
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