Faculty and Staff Resources

University employees shall not do any of the following:

• Use University assets and resources for political activities. This prohibition includes but is not limited to use of the University name, seal, addresses, phone numbers or any other University resource to endorse, promote or oppose a candidate or issue. This prohibition includes the use of such University resources as University funds, email system, phones, computers, copying machines, postage, personnel, services or like resources. The use of such assets must be confined to University business in accord with University Policies.
• Make any statement or take any action that suggests the University is endorsing or opposing any candidate for public office or particular viewpoint;
• Use one’s official University title to endorse, promote or oppose a candidate or to allow one’s official University title to be used in such a way;
• Use University spaces or property in connection with candidate campaign events except as provided by University Policy, or allow the use of such spaces or property in such a way;
• Engage in lobbying activity on behalf of the University unless such activity is part of the employee’s formal job description or assignment;
• Give or receive anything of substantial value to any public official or public employee if doing so would violate state or University ethics rules.

Members of the University community should consult the following University Policies governing these matters:
Use of Information Technology resources – University Policy 3341-6-7 and related Student and Human Resources Policies 
Political Campaigning on Campus  University Policy 3341-2-27
Guest Speakers – University Policy 3341-2-16
Code of Ethics – University Policy 3341-1-2

Members of the University community may participate in partisan political activities outside of their official University duties and work hours so long as University resources are not used. (Classified Staff are subject to additional limitations on political activity as set forth in more detail below.) Members of the University community may express themselves on political matters as individuals. However, members of the University community speaking or writing in their individual capacity should clearly indicate that their comments are not being made in any official University capacity and do not represent an official position of the University. Remarks of a partisan political nature should not be made in official University publications or at official University functions. 

The University is committed to encouraging free expression. Political activities that do not use University resources or imply University involvement, endorsement of, or opposition to candidates are permissible so long as they are done in accordance with generally applicable University rules and regulations.

University facilities can be reserved and used for partisan political events subject to the following general rules:

• The use must not disrupt other University activities.
• The use must be permitted on an impartial basis and shall not favor or disfavor any candidate or political party.
• All usually applicable University rules relating to use of University facilities shall apply.
• Charges for the use of the facility, equipment, security, police overtime, other overtime, and other University related costs must be paid in advance, in full and pursuant to a written agreement reviewed and approved by the Office of General Counsel; and
• No political fundraising or fundraising solicitations shall be permitted at the event.

Candidates and candidate representatives may speak at the University.

The usually applicable rules governing campus activities and the use of University facilities shall apply to candidates and current officeholders and their representatives who want to engage in political campaign activities on the campuses and in University facilities. 

Course appropriate curricular activities educating students about the political process are permissible so long as they are conducted impartially.

State laws and regulations subject Classified Staff employees to limitations on their political activities. These limitations are set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code Ann. §123:1-46-02, and prohibit Classified Staff employees from the following political activities:

1. Candidacy for public office in a partisan election;
2. Candidacy for public office in a nonpartisan general election if the nomination to candidacy was obtained in a partisan primary or through the circulation of nominating petitions identified with a political party;
3. Filing of petitions meeting statutory requirements for partisan candidacy to elective office;
4. Circulation of official nominating petitions for any candidate participating in a partisan election;
5. Service in an elected or appointed office in any partisan political organization;
6. Acceptance of a party-sponsored appointment to any office normally filled by partisan elections;
7. Campaigning by writing for publications, by distributing political material, or by writing or making speeches on behalf of a candidate for partisan elective office, when such activities are directed toward party success;
8. Solicitation, either directly or indirectly, of any assessment, contribution or subscription, either monetary or in-kind, for any political party or political candidate;
9. Solicitation of the sale, or actual sale, of political party tickets;
10. Partisan activities at the election polls, such as solicitation of votes for other than nonpartisan candidates and nonpartisan issues;
11. Service as witness or challenger for any party or partisan committee;
12. Participation in political caucuses of a partisan nature; and
13. Participation in a political action committee which supports partisan activity.

Any questions concerning this should be directed as follows:

University students – Vice President for Student Affairs
University faculty – Vice President, Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives
University staff – Human Resources