Partisan Political Activity Policy

Responsible Office or Person: Compliance Officer
Date Revised: January 24, 2024

Scope

This policy covers all students, faculty, and staff of Carroll University.

Policy Statement

Carroll University is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code which prohibits the University from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. The law prohibits the University from endorsing candidates for political office or contributing any money, goods, or services to candidates.

Compliance

In order to ensure Carroll's compliance with the restrictions placed on the University as a tax-exempt organization, members of the University community must adhere to the following guidelines:

When endorsing or opposing a candidate for political office or taking a position on an issue for the purpose of assisting or opposing a candidate, individuals and groups within Carroll University must make it clear that they are speaking only for themselves and not the University.
Carroll University's name and insignia may not be used on stationery or other documents intended for political purposes, including soliciting funds for political support or carrying on a political campaign.
Funds or other contributions may not be solicited in the name of Carroll University for political support or carrying on a political campaign.
Carroll employees may not perform tasks related to partisan political activities during working hours.
The following may not be used for political campaign purposes:
- The University's mailing resources;
- University mailing lists-including the addresses and e-mail addresses of students, faculty, staff, emeriti and alumni;
- University-provided office supplies, computers, telephones, facsimile machines, copiers, etc.;
- The University's sales tax exemption for purchases of goods and services.

Partisan Political Campaign Events on Campus
When a University organization composed of University faculty, staff, students and other representatives sponsors a partisan political campaign event, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind:

Events, including tabling, must be staffed by an event host.
Information that is obscene or libelous or that advocates unlawful conduct may not be disseminated.
Events may only occur in reservable spaces and should follow reservation procedures.
Events may not be held within 25 feet of a point of building ingress or egress.
University organizations may reserve, through the Reservations and Event Services Office, available University building space to engage in partisan political activities within the University community, provided that such organizations (i) pay for the costs of such activities and (ii) pay rental fees for the use of such facilities.
University funds, including student organization budgets, may not be used for campaign materials.
No campaign rallies or campaign fund-raising are permitted.
A disclaimer must be included in all written materials and advertising and announced at the beginning of all events: “Carroll University does not support or oppose any political candidates. The views expresses are those of (the candidate or other partisan political speaker) only. The (Carroll related group) is sponsoring this event.” The distribution of written materials must be limited to time and location of the event.
Organizations that are composed of non-University members, participants, or employees are ineligible to use University space to engage in partisan political campaign activities.
Certain nonpartisan political activities (such as properly organized voter registration activities, voter education programs, and candidate debates) may be permissible if they do not show evidence for a preference for or opposition to a political party or to a candidate(s) who have taken a particular position.

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