Use of University Facilities for Political Activities
Revised April 2003

Introduction

Northwestern University’s status as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits it from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding these limitations, Northwestern University recognizes that students, faculty, and staff may wish to participate in the political process and that such participation may, in fact, contain an educational component. Northwestern adheres to the principle enunciated by the American Council on Education (ACE) in 1970 that “every member of the academic community has a right to participate or not, as he [or she] sees fit, in the election process. On the other hand, no member of that community should speak or act in the name of the institution in a political campaign.”

The following statement of policy and the accompanying guidelines regarding the use of University facilities for political activities, as amended, are being reissued to provide guidance in adhering to these fundamental principles.

Political Policy

It is the policy of Northwestern University not to participate in, directly or indirectly, or to intervene in (including by means of the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Therefore, the University will not grant recognition to any group formed to promote or to oppose the campaign of a candidate for public office. In the absence of recognition, organizations may not reserve University facilities for any purpose or use the financial services of the Student Activities Funding Board (SAFB).

While recognized student organizations may reserve University facilities to conduct organizational meetings, or to sponsor and publicize the appearance of a candidate, no organization or individual may:

1. Use University facilities (for purposes of this policy, individual student rooms in University housing facilities are not considered to be “University facilities”) to raise funds through admissions, fees, contributions, donations, or sale of materials or services to benefit a political party, campaign, or candidate.

2. Use University facilities for planning or participating in the operational process of a political campaign.

3. Use organization or University funds to purchase promotional material, pay for campaign ads or contribute in any way to a political campaign.

4. Use organization or University funds to pay honoraria or cover transportation, A/V services, accommodation or meal expenses, for candidates for public office.

5. Use University resources, including but not limited to, mail distribution services, the University seal or other identifying marks, stationery and letterhead, or facsimile and duplicating machines, for political campaigns or solicitation of endorsement of candidates for public office.

Any organization formed for, or having the purpose of, promoting or opposing the campaign of a candidate for public office, whether based on or off campus, and whishing to use University facilities to sponsor the appearance of a candidate, may do so only by requesting and receiving the sponsorship of the ASG Executive Committee. The ASG Executive Committee may accept such requests provided that the appearance of the candidate or candidates does not include fund-raising or campaign organization. If the ASG Executive Committee agrees to sponsorship, then all costs of such an event, including publicity costs, must be paid in advance by the organization. Requests for sponsorship should be submitted to the chairperson of the ASG Executive Committee.

Any publicity announcing the appearance of the candidate will indicate sponsorship of the ASG Executive Committee. No reference may be made to the candidate support organization.

Guidelines for Use of Facilities for Political Forums or Debates

The Internal Revenue Code permits tax-exempt organizations to sponsor political forums or debates provided they are sufficiently non-partisan in nature and are conducted for the purpose of educating voters. Where recognized University organizations sponsor and/or University facilities are used to hold political forums or debates, the following guidelines apply:

1. The agenda for the forum or debate should address a wide range of issues and be of significant interest to members of the University community.

2. A non-partisan individual should serve as moderator and ensure that all ground rules are followed.

3. The moderator should state, at the beginning and conclusion of the program, that the views expressed by the participants are their own and not those of the university, and that sponsorship of the forum is not intended as an endorsement of any particular candidate.

4. Participants should be allotted equal time in which to present their views and ideas. Selection criteria for participation must be non-partisan.

5. While all forums should be of a non-biased educational nature, when a primary election serves as the basis for the forum or debate, intra-party debates are permissible. However, where a general election serves as the basis for the forum or debate, sponsorship of an intra-party debate may give the appearance of party favoritism, thereby making such an activity inappropriate.

6. Regarding intra-party debates for a primary election, all candidates for nomination by the party being represented at the forum should be allowed to participate. In such debates, however, sponsors are not required to involve candidates not belonging to the represented party.

7. Where a general election is the underlying contest for a forum or debate, a non-partisan candidate debate is permissible provided that at least two candidates participate, and the forum or debate does not promote or advance one candidate over another. Criteria for determining participation must, likewise, be non-partisan.

8. Political forums or debates need not include every group or party, or individual seeking election. For example, forums or debates limited to mainstream parties are permissible.