September 18, 1970

CHANCELLORS:

Restrictions on the Use of University Resources and Facilities for Political Activities

Although various existing policies, regulations, and statements pertain to permitted and restricted use of University resources and facilities, I consider it essential at this time that policies pertaining specifically to the use of University resources and facilities for political purposes be issued and implemented.

The following basic guidelines, effective immediately, constitute Presidential policies governing the use of resources and facilities for political purposes or activities:

1.
The name, insignia, seal, or address of the University or any of its offices or units shall not be used for or in connection with political purposes or activity except as consistent with University regulations.

2.
In correspondence, statements, or other material relating to political activities or issues, the University title of a faculty or staff member shall be used only for identification; if such identification might reasonably be construed as implying the support, endorsement, advancement, or opposition of the University with regard to any political activity or issue, the identification shall be accompanied by an explicit statement that the individual is speaking for himself and not as a representative of the University or any of its offices or units.

3.
University equipment, supplies, and services -- duplicating machines, telephones, mail and messenger service, vehicles, computers, stationery, and other equipment, supplies, or services -- shall not be used for or in connection with political purposes or activities. (This does not prohibit the incidental use of resources, e.g., sound equipment, in connection with permitted use of University facilities.)

4.
No University facility shall be used for political activities other than those open discussion and meeting areas provided for in campus regulations.

5.
No display or distribution of political materials, such as posters, notices, handbills, and banners, shall be permitted except as specifically authorized by campus regulations concerning the time, place, and manner of exercising rights of speech and advocacy.

6.
Nonmembers of the University community shall not be permitted to engage in political activities on University grounds or in University buildings and other facilities except as, specifically provided by campus regulations concerning the invitation of non-University speakers to address meetings on campus.

I urge that each of you take promptly whatever action is appropriate to make these policies applicable to your campus and, where circumstances warrant, that you develop and implement further appropriate guidelines.

Attached is a copy of my statement on the subject which was presented to The Regents' Committee on Educational Policy at its September 17, 1970 meeting. This statement will be printed in the September 28, 1970 issue of the University Bulletin. You may, of course, include all or any portion of my statement in the document concerning use of resources and facilities for political purposes which you issue on your campus. I call to your particular attention the fact that the attached statement superseded my statement entitled Use of Facilities and Resources which was distributed at the July meeting of The Regents' Committee on Educational Policy and which subsequently appeared in the August 3, 1970 issue of the University Bulletin.

I call to your attention also Attachment I to my statement which sets forth American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines on questions relating to tax exemption and political activities at colleges and universities. Please keep the ACE guidelines in mind as you develop any campus regulations supplementary to Presidential policies.

I will appreciate receiving from you a copy of the document on this subject which you issue to members of your campus community.

Charles J. Hitch

Attachment

cc:
Administrative Officers, Office of the President
Principal Officers of The Regents