As an institution of higher learning, Lawrence University is committed to the free expression of political views by members of the Lawrence community and to the value of discourse and debate as an essential underpinning of a liberal education.

At the same time, the college must also comply with the provisions governing its tax exempt status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and ensure that activities engaged in by members of the Lawrence community or the college itself do not call into question the college's non-partisan, educational status. Federal statute stipulates that non-profit, tax exempt institutions of higher education are prohibited from participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

The following guidelines and restrictions apply to campus involvement in political campaigns.

1. Every member of the Lawrence community has a right to participate or not, as he or she sees fit, in the electoral process. However, no member of the Lawrence community should speak for or act in the name of the college in a political campaign or other partisan electoral activity.

• LUCC provisions stipulate that Lawrence University student organizations may advocate publicly a position on a political issue, provided the organization clearly identifies itself and makes it clear in any public statement that it does not represent or speak for the college.
• Similarly, students, faculty, or staff may freely engage in comment on political issues or public policy as individual citizens, but should be careful to qualify that the opinions expressed are their own and do not represent the official position of Lawrence University.
• Use of the college's name, letterhead, or logo for partisan electoral purposes such as the solicitation of funds or other contributions in support of a political party or candidate or the endorsement of candidates for public office is prohibited.

2. Curricular activities and college-sponsored forums aimed at educating Lawrence students with respect to the political process are encouraged. Every effort should be made, however, to ensure that appearances on campus of candidates for public office or their political representatives have a substantive educational purpose, in the form of an address or question and answer format, and that such visits not be conducted solely as campaign rallies or events.

• Unless a candidate for public office is of sufficient stature as to warrant an invitation from the Office of the President, hosting of political candidates for educational purposes should generally be left to faculty within academic departments or the appropriate LUCC-recognized student organization or club.

  Candidates for office, including elected officials seeking reelection, that approach the college administration seeking opportunities to appear on campus and address the Lawrence community should accordingly be referred to the appropriate LUCC recognized student organization or academic department.

• If a faculty member, academic department, or the college itself chooses to invite an individual candidate to speak, every attempt should be made to provide opposing candidates the same opportunity.
• LUCC-recognized student organizations and clubs, such as the College Republicans and College Democrats, may use college facilities for meetings, speeches, and events involving candidates for office and political parties. Use of space is subject to approval by building coordinators and such groups should consult with the Associate Dean of Students for Activities on appropriate campus spaces to be used for such activities.
• Off-campus organizations are ineligible for use of campus facilities to engage in partisan campaign activities, unless directly sponsored by a LUCC-recognized student organization.
• Use of college facilities for campaign or party fund-raising activities is prohibited.

3. Electioneering and dissemination of campaign materials must adhere to the LUCC regulations regarding billboards and posting of notices and solicitation on campus. In addition, the following restricts use of college resources for partisan electoral purposes.

• Use of the campus mail service (other than U.S. mail), college mailing lists, college-provided office supplies, computers, telephones, facsimile machines, or copiers, for soliciting votes or campaign fund raising is prohibited.
• Campaign workers, including students, faculty, and staff, are not permitted to engage in person-to-person solicitation of funds through the campus mail service. Any mail solicitation must be through the U.S. Postal Service only.
• Members of the Lawrence community wishing to make available political literature in college facilities outside of individual mail boxes must request permission from the building coordinator or residence hall director.
• No display or distribution of political campaign materials, such as posters, notices, handbills, and banners, shall be permitted except as specifically authorized by existing campus regulations on the posting of signs (Student Handbook, General Policies and Procedures: Billboards).
• Electioneering, pamphleteering, and the soliciting of votes by representatives of political parties, candidates, or campaign workers is subject to the LUCC regulations addressing general solicitation on campus (Student Handbook, General Policies and Procedures: Solicitation on Campus). Outside entities must obtain written authorization from the dean of students office. LUCC-recognized organizations and individuals representing such groups must follow the process outlined in the Student Handbook. Under no circumstances may such activity impede the general flow of traffic on campus.

4. Other provisions concerning campus involvement in political campaigns.

• Organized voter registration activities, voter education programs, and "get out the vote" drives are exempt from the provisions outlined above, provided no attempt is made to advance or oppose individual candidates for office or a political party or to promote a position on a public referendum or issue up for vote.
• Per an IRS ruling on the subject, partisan editorial activities by the Lawrentian or other student publications supported by the college are not restricted.
• Access by candidates to air time on WLFM is permitted, at the discretion of the station manager, provided such access is available to all legally qualified candidates for a public office on an equal basis and is consistent with the limits imposed by the Federal Communications Commission standards.

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