11.22 / Political Activities and Campus Facilities

Effective: July 01, 2010Last Revised: August 02, 2022

  1. Initiating Authority

    1. Office of General Counsel serves as the initiating authority for this policy.

  2. Purpose

    1. The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to the use of campus facilities for political purposes.

  3. Preamble

    1. Wichita State University is committed to the free expression of political views by members of the campus community and to the value of discourse and debate as an important part of the education experience. Concurrently, Wichita State University must comply with state and federal laws governing its status as a state educational institution of Kansas and policies of the Kansas Board of Regents, and must maintain neutrality with regard to politics and political campaigns.

  4. Policy

    1. Campus facilities and grounds shall not be made available for campaigning, electioneering or fundraising events for any candidate for political office, party, committee, or political committee.
    2. The recording, filming, taping, or making of political advertisements on campus is prohibited.
    3. Political office holders and candidates may not be introduced or recognized on campus unless they are attending a campus event. (This includes meetings exclusively sponsored by students for their own political education.)
    4. Politicians and/or political parties may hold meetings, including partisan political gatherings in University facilities, provided that:
      • All politicians, political parties and any sponsoring group or individual adheres to all University policies, including this Policy 11.22;
      • There is no interference with regularly scheduled functions or activities of the University;
      • All students are permitted to attend without charge; and
      • All financial arrangements required for use of the facility have been arranged and paid for in advance.
    5. The distribution of handbills or political leafleting is subject to the requirements of WSU Policy 11.12 / Use of University Campus for Free Expression Activities.
    6. Student organizations may sponsor an event which involves candidates for political office for educational purposes as long as all candidates for the respective political office, are given an opportunity to be present and provide information on a neutral and non-partisan basis. Such events must be open to the public.
    7. Student organizations may advocate publicly a position on a political issue, provided the organization clearly identifies itself as a student organization and communicates in any public statement that it does not represent or speak on behalf of the University.
    8. Students, faculty and staff may engage freely in comment on political issues or public policy as individual citizens, provided they clearly identify that the opinions expressed are their own and do not represent the official position of Wichita State University.
    9. Use of the University's name, letterhead, logo, trademarks and/or resources (including University computing and information technology resources) for partisan electoral purposes such as solicitation of funds or other contributions in support of a political party or candidates, endorsement of candidates for public office, or advocating a position with regard to a public issue (other than an authorized spokesperson on behalf of the University) is strictly prohibited.
    10. It is recognized that political office holders and candidates may contribute greatly to the education of students and said individuals may be requested to provide classroom instruction. Faculty should be vigilant of the need for neutrality and fairness in seeking classroom visitors.

  5. Applicable Laws And Additional Resources

    1. KBOR Policy II.E.16. Use of Campus Grounds and Facilities
    2. WSU Policy 3.17 Political Activity