Ohio Administrative Code › Title 3364 - University of Toledo › Chapter 3364-5 - Administrative Responsibilities; Start-Up Community Schools; Campus › Section 3364-5-15 - Campus visits by candidates for political office

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A)
								Policy
			 statement
Candidates for public office are
				welcome at the university of Toledo. These visits generate media coverage and
				promote interest and attendance by the public. As an academic institution, the
				university values the opportunity for students to view and participate in the
				political process. It is the policy of the university of Toledo to foster a
				spirit of free inquiry and to encourage the timely discussion of a wide variety
				of issues. Political campaigns may hold events on campus so long as the
				university does not endorse the campaign, it is open to campaigns from all
				candidates and parties, and university funds cannot be used to support the
				campaign.
(B)
								Purpose of policy
This policy provides the terms and
				conditions under which the university permits political campaigns to hold
				events on campus including topics such as maintaining institutional neutrality,
				paying for the cost of events, and the official point of contact for major
				events such as in presidential campaigns. The policy is to ensure that the
				university complies with federal and state law, protects the university's tax
				status, and protects the institution from political entanglements.
As a state supported university,
				federal tax law requires the university to remain politically neutral and
				prohibits any participation, directly or indirectly, in the campaign of any
				candidate or political party. While the university of Toledo is welcoming to
				all political candidates and parties, it cannot support, endorse, or promote
				any political candidate.
As public institution of higher
				education, the university of Toledo acknowledges its role in educating students
				and serving the community as a venue for the exchange of ideas. In fulfilling
				this responsibility, the university of Toledo is committed to the free exchange
				of ideas and opinions, and encourages its students, faculty and staff to
				exercise their vote and participate in the democratic process. The university
				is dedicated to protecting the freedoms of speech, expression, petition and
				peaceful assembly while maintaining its ability to impose reasonable time,
				place, and other restrictions on any campaign events.
(C)
								Scope
This policy applies to all students,
				faculty, staff and administrators of the university who are acting on behalf of
				the university. Nothing in this policy should be construed to limit one's
				ability to express personal opinions or restrict one's right to engage in
				political activities. However, when an affiliate of the university participates
				in political activity it must be done outside of his or her affiliation with
				the university.
(E)
								Procedure
(1)
									Equal opportunity for all candidates
The university of Toledo will provide
				political candidates or their supporters opportunities to speak at the
				university's facilities, so long as a similar opportunity is made available to
				all candidates. Official student groups may reach out to campaigns to host
				political events on campus under the conditions described in this
				policy.
(2)
									Point of contact
If recognized student groups, such as
				student political organizations, wish to host an event on campus, they must
				contact the office of government relations to describe the event and the
				suggested venue. In cases where the number of participants is not large, the
				group will be directed to hold the event in the student union following
				standard student union guidelines for holding external events.
If a candidate or campaign contacts a
				university faculty member, staff member, or administrator in their official
				capacity, that person must contact the office of government relations who will
				engage with the candidate or campaign on the nature of the event, the
				anticipated size of the event, the anticipated media coverage, and other
				aspects such as may be required for elected officials, presidents and former
				presidents, or candidates for the position of president of the United
				States.
(3)
									 Coordination with other units on campus
The office of government relations will
				contact other offices, personnel, and officials on campus as required by the
				nature of the event. Such offices may include the office of legal affairs, the
				office of media relations, facilities services, and the university of Toledo
				police department.
(4)
									Use of university resources
The university shall not authorize the
				use of any university funds, services, or resources for the purpose of
				affecting the outcome of any election.
(5)
									Costs for the use
			 of university facilities
Candidates and/or their supporting
				organizations must reimburse the university for expenses related to room set-up
				and clean-up and any damages resulting from the event. However, the university
				may provide resources toward expenses related to the event that are in the best
				interest of the university, such as making minor cosmetic improvements in space
				that may be viewed by a national audience. "UT" branding of the event may occur
				where appropriate.
(6)
									Use of university facilities for political campaign
			 advertisements
University facilities shall not be used
				for the production of political campaign advertisements.
(7)
									Liability
Additionally, the university will not
				be liable for any accidents or incidents occurring during the campaign
				event.