(A)
Policy
statement
Candidates for public office are
welcome at the university of Toledo. These visits generate media coverage and
promote interest and attendance by the public. As an academic institution, the
university values the opportunity for students to view and participate in the
political process. It is the policy of the university of Toledo to foster a
spirit of free inquiry and to encourage the timely discussion of a wide variety
of issues. Political campaigns may hold events on campus so long as the
university does not endorse the campaign, it is open to campaigns from all
candidates and parties, and university funds cannot be used to support the
campaign.
(B)
Purpose of policy
This policy provides the terms and
conditions under which the university permits political campaigns to hold
events on campus including topics such as maintaining institutional neutrality,
paying for the cost of events, and the official point of contact for major
events such as in presidential campaigns. The policy is to ensure that the
university complies with federal and state law, protects the university's tax
status, and protects the institution from political entanglements.
As a state supported university,
federal tax law requires the university to remain politically neutral and
prohibits any participation, directly or indirectly, in the campaign of any
candidate or political party. While the university of Toledo is welcoming to
all political candidates and parties, it cannot support, endorse, or promote
any political candidate.
As public institution of higher
education, the university of Toledo acknowledges its role in educating students
and serving the community as a venue for the exchange of ideas. In fulfilling
this responsibility, the university of Toledo is committed to the free exchange
of ideas and opinions, and encourages its students, faculty and staff to
exercise their vote and participate in the democratic process. The university
is dedicated to protecting the freedoms of speech, expression, petition and
peaceful assembly while maintaining its ability to impose reasonable time,
place, and other restrictions on any campaign events.
(C)
Scope
This policy applies to all students,
faculty, staff and administrators of the university who are acting on behalf of
the university. Nothing in this policy should be construed to limit one's
ability to express personal opinions or restrict one's right to engage in
political activities. However, when an affiliate of the university participates
in political activity it must be done outside of his or her affiliation with
the university.
(E)
Procedure
(1)
Equal opportunity for all candidates
The university of Toledo will provide
political candidates or their supporters opportunities to speak at the
university's facilities, so long as a similar opportunity is made available to
all candidates. Official student groups may reach out to campaigns to host
political events on campus under the conditions described in this
policy.
(2)
Point of contact
If recognized student groups, such as
student political organizations, wish to host an event on campus, they must
contact the office of government relations to describe the event and the
suggested venue. In cases where the number of participants is not large, the
group will be directed to hold the event in the student union following
standard student union guidelines for holding external events.
If a candidate or campaign contacts a
university faculty member, staff member, or administrator in their official
capacity, that person must contact the office of government relations who will
engage with the candidate or campaign on the nature of the event, the
anticipated size of the event, the anticipated media coverage, and other
aspects such as may be required for elected officials, presidents and former
presidents, or candidates for the position of president of the United
States.
(3)
Coordination with other units on campus
The office of government relations will
contact other offices, personnel, and officials on campus as required by the
nature of the event. Such offices may include the office of legal affairs, the
office of media relations, facilities services, and the university of Toledo
police department.
(4)
Use of university resources
The university shall not authorize the
use of any university funds, services, or resources for the purpose of
affecting the outcome of any election.
(5)
Costs for the use
of university facilities
Candidates and/or their supporting
organizations must reimburse the university for expenses related to room set-up
and clean-up and any damages resulting from the event. However, the university
may provide resources toward expenses related to the event that are in the best
interest of the university, such as making minor cosmetic improvements in space
that may be viewed by a national audience. "UT" branding of the event may occur
where appropriate.
(6)
Use of university facilities for political campaign
advertisements
University facilities shall not be used
for the production of political campaign advertisements.
(7)
Liability
Additionally, the university will not
be liable for any accidents or incidents occurring during the campaign
event.
(F)
Other
The president of the university may
grant exceptions to this policy. Such exceptions will be in
writing.