Because the University is a state-supported institution, there are certain state laws, Board of Regents policies, and University policies that govern the ways in which members of the University community may participate in partisan political activity and use University resources in support of such activities.
State law specifically prohibits use of these resources to advocate the nomination, election or defeat of candidates for state office. For example, an individual who wishes to distribute a letter in support of a given candidate or cause or to schedule a fund-raiser may not use University computers, letterhead, email, copiers, fax machines or other equipment to produce it, nor may this be done on state time.
Employees who wish to campaign for a given candidate may do so, but they must take annual leave or do so on their personal time. State law also prohibits state officers or employees from using their authority or influence to compel membership in, or contributions to, a political organization.
Board of Regents policies specify the conditions under which University staff may accept public or political party positions, run for public office, or serve in the state legislature or the U.S. Congress.
Board of Regents policy specifically notes that . . . personnel are free to express opinions speaking or writing as an individual in signed advertisements, pamphlets . . . in support of or opposition to parties and causes" but stresses "the commensurate responsibility of making plain that each person so doing is acting for himself and not in behalf of an institution supported by tax funds drawn from citizens of varying political and economic views."
State facilities may not be used for fund-raising events for candidates or parties. According to Board of Regents policies, KU facilities may be made available for holding political meetings if there is no interference with regularly scheduled functions, there is no suitable facility available elsewhere in the community, students are permitted to hear the speakers without charge, and sponsors pay in advance the fees for use of the facility.
Political office holders or candidates are not to be introduced or recognized on campus unless they are participating in a campus event.
Distribution of political handbills is prohibited in areas devoted primarily to instruction or study and at the immediate sites and times of enclosed public events such as football games, Lied Center performances or University Theatre performances.
Use of campus mail for political purposes is expressly prohibited.
KU email, including broadcast email, cannot be used for: political purposes such as support of candidates or causes; fund-raising; commercial purposes; personal financial gain; or support of outside organizations not authorized to use University facilities. The University does permit its use to provide students with voter registration information, as Federal law requires that universities provide all students with this information.
It is inappropriate for an individual to use his or her campus email to invite colleagues to a fund-raiser for a political candidate or to encourage support of a particular candidate, position, or cause.
However, registered student or campus organizations such as the KU Young Democrats or the College Republicans may use their list-serves to notify their members of meetings, speeches or rallies. See the complete electronic mail policy at <https://documents.ku.edu/policies/provost/ElectronicMailPolicy.htm>.
Classroom bulletin boards are reserved solely for instructional materials posted by the faculty who use the rooms. No political, promotional or commercial materials may be posted on them or on other bulletin boards that are clearly marked for use by university units.
Information may not be posted on walls, exterior doors, chairs, utility poles, bus stops, newspaper distribution boxes or other surfaces that are not designated for such purposes. Such materials are subject to immediate removal without notice to the sponsor, and the sponsor may be billed for costs related to removal, clean up or repair.
See <https://documents.ku.edu/policies/provost/BulletinBoardsUseof.htm>
for further information.
Residents may submit signs to the hall front desk to be posted on bulletin boards. Otherwise, no signs, bills or fliers of any type may be posted. A removal charge may be assessed to residents who violate this policy.
No solicitation, political or otherwise, is allowed in Student Housing facilities. This includes distribution of fliers and door-to-door canvassing, which must be approved by the University Events Committee and the Complex Director.
The politices are available in more detail at
<https://documents.ku.edu/policies/provost/PoliticalActivityKSStatutesandBORUnivPolicies.htm>.
