A. POLICY
The University is dedicated to a broad concept
of education which includes the use of physical
facilities for activities which may provide
valuable educational experiences. Therefore,
participation in political process by students,
faculty, and staff can and should be an educational
experience. Persons within the University are
free to exercise their rights as citizens and
to be politically active, either individually
or through groups and organizations.
The University is, however, the possessor of
considerable material resources which have been
acquired through its status as a tax-exempt
institution of higher learning. This tax-exempt
status is based on the institution’s fulfillment
of the requirements set forth in part in Section
501 (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which
provides in effect that:
An educational institution qualifies for tax
exemption as a recipient of deductible contributions
provided (1) that “no substantial part
of the activities (of the Institution) is carrying
on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation” and (2) that the institution
“does not participate in, or intervene
in (including the publishing and distribution
of statements), any political campaign on behalf
of any candidate for public office.”
Duquesne University must safeguard its tax-exempt
status by establishing guidelines for those
of the University community wishing to exercise
their citizen’s right to participate in
political activities on or off campus.
The eligibility of an organization to use University
facilities will be determined by the appropriate
Vice President based upon the nature of the
organization and by the appropriateness of the
activity to be conducted in that space.
Organizations may utilize available University
facilities to engage in educational nonpartisan
political activities directed solely to the
campus community subject in some instances to
rental charges where called for by University
room or facility rental regulations.
B. PROCEDURES
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When endorsing
or opposing a candidate for political office
or taking a position on an issue for the purpose
of assisting or opposing a candidate, individuals
and groups associated with Duquesne University
shall take special care to make it clear that
they are speaking only for themselves and
not for the University, and that their endorsement
of a candidate or position on an issue shall
not in any way be considered as being that
of the University.
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Faculty
and staff may engage in partisan political
activities provided it is not done at the
expense of their regular responsibilities
to the University and its students.
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Duquesne
University’s name, logo, or seal shall
not be used on stationery or other material
used for political purpose, including soliciting
funds for political support or conducting
a political campaign.
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Contributions
shall not be solicited in the name of or collected
by Duquesne University for political support
or conducting a political campaign. University-related
organizations or individual’s soliciting
funds for political purposes must include
in such solicitations a statement clearly
indicating that such contributions are not
made to Duquesne University and are not tax-deductible
as such.
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The University’s
bulk-mailing privilege shall not be used for
political purposes; nor shall the University’s
mailing lists be used for such purposes.
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University
addresses and e-mail, including those of departmental
offices, faculty, students, and staff offices,
or officially recognized student organizations,
shall not be used as mailing addresses for
political purposes. Neither the University’s
inter-office mail system nor e-mail system
shall be used for mailing of political materials.
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Campus-based
organizations that participate in political
campaigns of candidates or that attempt to
influence legislation or political issues
will be required to pay proper and appropriate
charges for incidental costs that such activities
impose on the University, such as reimbursement
for telephones or duplicating in addition
to any rental costs for facilities or equipment.
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Staff, including
office and other employees, shall not be asked
to perform tasks related to partisan political
activities while on duty at the University.
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No campus-based
organization shall use monies acquired from
the University’s budget allocation,
to finance political activities.
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Any political
activity whether sponsored by campus-based
organizations or by external organizations
may be terminated immediately, if found in
violation of the above procedures, and billed
for expenses related to use of the University
facilities.
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