Facility Use and Event Policy: Political Events

Relevant Excerpt

Except as otherwise outlined in this policy, members of the Chapman community are prohibited from using University resources to support political activities in the following manners:

• Using University facilities, monies, accounts, credit, vehicles, postage, telecommunications, computer hardware and software, web pages, personnel, equipment, materials, buildings or any other thing of value, except as outlined below.
• Using Chapman's name and seal, on-campus addresses, and nonresidential telephones, resources, services, equipment, supplies, meeting rooms, email lists, or personnel (including research assistants).
• Using a Chapman college/school, department, or institute/center's name to endorse a candidate while using University resources.
• Using a Chapman college/school, department, or institute/center's name on a candidate’s campaign website or collateral materials to endorse a candidate.
• Recruiting volunteers for campaign activities during events.
• On-campus solicitation of campaign contributions for candidates.
• Payment of fees to candidates.
• Discounting or waiving fees for political events.

Student Voter Events

Departments/units/recognized student organizations may coordinate voter education activities (including public forums, the publication of voter education guides, and voter registration drives) if they are carried out in a non-partisan manner. Voter education or registration activities conducted in a biased manner that favors (or opposes) one or more candidates is prohibited. All such events must be coordinated in advance and have an approved space reservation.

Hosting Candidates in Their Capacity as Political Candidates

When inviting a candidate to speak in their capacity as a political candidate, event organizers must:

• provide an equal opportunity to participate to all political candidates seeking the same office (this applies to both the nature of the event to which each candidate is invited, as well as the manner of their presentation/promotion);
• refrain from supporting or opposing a candidate both prior to, during, and after their visit;
• prohibit political fundraising from occurring for any/all candidates.

Hosting Candidates When Appearing/Speaking as Non-Candidates

When inviting a public figure to speak because they currently hold, or formerly held, public office, is considered an expert in a non-political field, or has led a distinguished military, legal, or public service career, event organizers must:

• be explicit in their communication with the candidate that they are speaking in a non-candidate capacity;
• refrain from mentioning the individual’s potential future candidacy for public office (both before, during, and after their visit);
• maintain a non-partisan atmosphere where the candidate is present.

Issue Advocacy Vs. Political Campaign Intervention

University-hosted political debates and public forums are permitted consistent with the institution’s legitimate, purely educational purpose if they do not endorse, support, or oppose a political candidate or party and follow the Federal Election Committee rules on sponsoring debates or forums.

With respect to University-sponsored public forums, the following guidelines must be met:  

• All legally qualified candidates for a particular public office or party are invited;
• All participating candidates are given equal treatment, i.e., access and opportunity to speak;
• The format and content of the forum are presented neutrally; it is not structured to promote or advance one candidate over another; and
• No political fundraising occurs in conjunction with the forum.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office violate the prohibition against political campaign activity.