Political Activity and Use of College Facilities

This policy establishes requirements and limitations for political activity that involves any use of College spaces, facilities, or resources, including by College students, faculty, and staff. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, Occidental College is prohibited from engaging in certain types of political activity. The consequences of engaging in prohibited political activity include the imposition of excise taxes and loss of the College’s tax-exempt status. The College is legally prohibited from endorsing candidates for political office or making any contribution of money, goods, or services to candidates, including through the use of College facilities or any other College resources.

USE OF FACILITIES

College-recognized student organizations and other College organizations, units, and departments may use the College’s facilities consistent with this policy and the Campus Events Coordinated by Students policy (if applicable) and Event and Space Usage Guidelines.  However, to the extent outside organizations (including those with members who are students of the College) wish to avail themselves of College facilities or services, the College requires that appropriate charges are made and collected for all facilities and services provided. Extraordinary or prolonged use of College facilities, particularly by nonmembers of the College community, and even with reimbursement, is inappropriate.

College-owned equipment and facilities, including the Copy Center and the College computer system, may not be used for the preparation and reproduction of materials to be distributed beyond campus. To the extent College-owned equipment and facilities, including the Copy Center and the College computer system, are used for the preparation, reproduction and/or dissemination of such materials for on-campus distribution, proper and appropriate charges shall be made and collected for all facilities and services provided.

CANDIDATE EVENTS ON CAMPUS

A recognized student organization or other College organization, unit, or department may host candidates for office and other partisan political activities only under certain conditions:

1. Before inviting candidates (current officeholders and/or candidates for an election) to visit campus, approval must be obtained as follows:
   • Student organizations must obtain prior approval from SLICE.
   • Academic departments must obtain prior approval from the Dean’s Office.
   • Administrative and other College units or departments must obtain prior approval from an appropriate Vice President.
2. A candidate may be invited to speak in their non-candidate capacity on topics of general interest to the College community. 

• Such visits must be nonpartisan, unrelated to the speaker’s campaign, and follow all other applicable guidelines in this policy.
• The student organization or sponsoring department must secure an agreement from the speaker stating: (i) that the speaker is appearing solely in an individual, non-candidate capacity, (ii) that the speaker will not mention their candidacy or any election, and (iii) that the speaker will not display any campaign signage, solicit donations or volunteers, or conduct any other campaign activity.

3. If a recognized student organization or other College department or unit invites a candidate to speak in their capacity as a candidate: 
   • The organization, department, or unit must extend equal opportunities to all other legally qualified candidates for that office. Accordingly, an on-campus engagement invitation for one candidate must coincide with invitations being sent to all other legally qualified candidates for that office. 
   • The visit must be sufficiently non-partisan in nature, with a neutral moderator, and conducted for educational purposes. The format for such events must be a panel discussion, speech, or question-and-answer session; campaign rallies are not permitted on campus.
   • Recognized student organizations may coordinate candidate engagement events only with prior approval from SLICE and at SLICE-approved locations around the College. 
4. All announcements and advertisements for an event involving a political candidate must clearly indicate the sponsoring student organization or department and contain the following statements, which must also be read at the beginning of the appearance:
   • Occidental College does not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office.
   • The opinions expressed by the participants are their own, and not those of Occidental College.
5. Candidate appearances may not include or be accompanied by any fundraising activities. Sponsoring organizations or units may not charge admission fees or solicit donations to raise money for a party, candidate, or political cause.
6. No College resources may be used to support or contribute in any way to a candidate, campaign, or political cause. Such College resources include but are not limited to funds, trademarks, logos, transportation, supplies, email networks and addresses, support services, meals, printing, or any other goods, services, or facilities.

CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT, CAMPAIGNING, AND LOBBYING

While all members of the Occidental community are encouraged to express their political opinions and engage in political activities, it is important that they do so only in their individual capacities and avoid any appearance that they are speaking or acting for the College in political matters.

• Recognized student organizations and other College departments or units have the autonomy to make endorsements of candidates, provided their membership has voted on such an endorsement. All endorsements by such organizations, departments, or units shall make it clear, including in any announcements or related materials, that the endorsement represents the view of all or certain members of that group and does not represent a position of the College.

• College funds (including student life fees) and other resources, may not be used for contributions to any political party, for support or opposition of any ballot measure, or for support of opposition to any candidate for public office.
• Recognized student organizations may set up tables or booths to distribute information about candidates, campaigns, or ballot measures only at SLICE approved locations around the College. 
• Student organizations that use social media or other means to communicate about political candidates, campaigns, or ballot initiatives must include the following (or a substantially similar) statement in a location readily available to viewers and followers: “The opinions expressed on this account are not sanctioned by and do not reflect the views of Occidental College.”

COLLECTING SIGNATURES ON CAMPUS BY STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Recognized student organizations have the autonomy to collect signatures for the purposes of supporting a potential candidate or ballot proposition provided their membership has been given an opportunity to vote on such activities. Student organizations may not use the College’s name, logo, or any other resources (including, without limitation, funds, supplies, print or mail services, listservs, email systems or addresses, private offices, equipment) while collecting signatures. While engaging in these activities, recognized student organizations shall make it clear, including in any posters, announcements, printed materials, and signage, that the endorsement represents the view of that organization and does not represent a position of the College. Recognized student organizations may set up tables or booths to conduct these activities only at SLICE approved locations around the College.

FUNDRAISING FOR 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Though student organizations are not permitted to fundraise for a candidate, campaign, or ballot initiative, they may raise funds or conduct non-commercial sales for a nonprofit organization provided the following guidelines are met:

• The organization receiving proceeds submits proof of nonprofit status to SLICE.
• The organization receiving proceeds is not connected with any candidate, campaign, or ballot initiative and is not engaged in any lobbying activities.
• The fundraiser or sale is consistent with the mission and shared values of the College.
• The sponsoring recognized student organization participates in the activity and is present during the fundraiser.
• All monies raised are deposited into the group's ASOC account before being dispersed to the off-campus 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• All monies raised must go to the off-campus nonprofit organization.

 

Responsible Officers:  Vice President for Student Affairs; General Counsel

Last Modified: August 2024