V308.03 Political Activities

VCSU supports civic engagement and respects the right of employees to engage in political expression and activities without interference from VCSU or State Board of Higher Education (SBHE). Nothing in this policy should be related to limit the First Amendment or other political rights of off-duty VCSU employees, and this policy must be read narrowly to avoid infringing on those rights.

Campaign and Advocacy Activities:
1. Political posters or other advocacy materials may be placed on University bulletin boards where general information materials are normally posted. University bulletin boards are serviced through the Student Center. Anyone wanting to post materials on University bulletin boards should contact the Student Center.
2. Political campaigning or advocacy materials shall not be distributed through campus e-mail, campus mail, posted on undesignated bulletin boards, or distributed in campus mailboxes unless they are the announcement of an activity or event sponsored by a recognized campus organization, or unless they are sent through the U.S. Mail with proper postage attached.
3. Fliers may be distributed on the campus, in the public areas of campus buildings, or placed for self-distribution in the several locations where Viking Media is distributed. Persons distributing handbills shall take reasonable care to ensure that campus litter resulting from such distribution is minimized.
4. Posters or fliers shall not be affixed to walls, either external or internal, nor shall they be placed on trees, poles or fastened to stakes in campus lawns.
5. Fliers may be distributed outside the gates at any athletic contest or other events open to the public. They shall not be distributed inside the admission gates of Lokken Field, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, Graichen Gymnasium, Vangstad Hall or Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts; except that persons distributing fliers may take shelter in entryways during inclement weather.
The Use of State Facilities or Equipment for Political Purpose:
1. The use of state facilities or equipment for political purposes (such as campaigning for or supporting candidates or parties) may be offered provided that such facilities are currently and routinely made available for the use of outside groups, and (a) the facility is provided on the same terms and conditions governing the use for other outside groups, and (b) the facility is made equally available to all political candidates, action committees, parties, or issue-related groups.
2. Employees may provide information to or attempt to influence legislators on matters germane to their duties. However, since state law and board policy restrict use of state facilities or equipment for personal or private purposes, employees (other than the chancellor, president, or other employees assigned responsibility for legislative matters such as representatives of the Council of College Facilities; faculty, staff, and student senates), should not use facilities or equipment to lobby legislators on such matters.