POLITICAL ACTIVITY
Effective: August 15, 2024
Purpose: To establish guidelines and regulations for political activity within the University. To ensure that political engagement and expression are conducted in a manner that respects the University's functions, the rights of students and personnel, and ethical standards.
Scope: This policy applies to all University employees and students campus wide.
Responsible Office: General University; Office of General Counsel
Policy Statement: University facilities are not available for fund raising events for political candidates or political parties.
University facilities may be made available for the purpose of holding political meetings, provided there is no interference with regularly scheduled functions, there is not otherwise available a reasonable facility in the community, students are permitted to hear the speakers without charge, and sponsors pay in advance the regular fees for use of the facilities.
Political office holders and candidates shall not be introduced or recognized on campus unless they are participating in the campus event which they are attending. The distribution of political handbills shall be prohibited in those areas devoted primarily to instruction or study or at the immediate sites and times of enclosed public events.
In the interest of the fullest participation in public affairs, employees and students are free to express opinions speaking or writing as an individual in signed advertisements, pamphlets, and related material in support of or opposition to parties and causes. Employees are required to take reasonable measures to ensure their expression is the result of personal opinions and not on behalf of the University or any other employee of the University.
All employees are eligible to accept any public or political party position which does not involve any conflict of interest and does not require substantial time away from assigned duties or in other respects infringe upon them. The filing of a declaration of intent to become a candidate does not affect the status or appointment of an employee; provided, however, such employee at all times while a candidate shall properly and fully perform all of their assigned duties; provided further however, that should such employee while they are a candidate for office fail to perform all of their assigned duties such employee will not receive any salary or benefits from the date of filing for office.
Leave without salary or other benefits will be granted to those elected or appointed to public office that requires full time or lengthy sustained periods away from assigned duties; effective from the date such person takes the oath of office and continuing until the adjournment of the public body of which the employee is a member or at such time the employee ceases to serve as such an elected or appointed office or position. Leave without salary or other benefits shall not be required for any person serving in the State Legislature for service on any committee during a period when the Legislature is not in regular or special session, provided that such person shall decline to accept all legislative compensation for such service, but shall be entitled to such mileage and other expense allowances as provided by statute and paid by the Legislature.
Any officer or employee in a University Support Staff service shall resign from the service prior to taking the oath of office for a state elective office.
Students who are registered candidates for student governance offices may solicit support for their candidacy in the thirty (30) day period immediately preceding student elections.
The use of University letterhead, envelopes, franking, logos, copyright, marks, or name shall only be permitted for official University purposes and is not permitted when contacting legislators to influence their opinions, unless expressly authorized to do so by the University President.
Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.
Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of General University procedures.
[General University procedures - coming soon]
Related Policy Information: KSA 75-2953