R-05, BOR Policy 9-5, Political Activity

Section 9-5 Political Activity. The Regents believe that it is the right of employees as citizens to engage in politics so long as these activities do not interfere with their University duties or violate established rules of the University. Furthermore, the Regents have expressed the belief that political activities by employees, in accordance with the following statement, should result in no embarrassment to the University nor detrimentally affect these policies.

It is expected that University employees will use appropriate discretion in the exercise of the political rights which they share in common with other citizens; that they will be careful always to emphasize that their utterances and actions in political matters are theirs as individuals and in no manner represent the University; that they will always recognize that their first obligation is to the University; that they will accord the University administration the courtesy of prior notice of any political commitment which is likely to bring them into prominence.

Because of a conflict in interest and/or an appearance of impropriety in campaigning for and holding a partisan public elective office and being employed at the University, the Board of Regents has established the following policy in regard to campaigning for and holding such an office.

All employees under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents seeking a partisan public elective office shall, without exception:

1. Request, or in absence of such request be placed on a leave of absence without pay in accordance with University policy upon actively seeking political office, but in no event later than the filing of nomination papers or the announcement of candidacy for such office;

2. Be subject to the general University policies governing appearances and activities of political candidates on campus;

3. Insure that they do not give the appearance that their views, utterances and/or actions are representative of the University; and

4. Be separated from University service through either resignation, or termination upon assumption of the elective office. (Aug. 30, 1966; Feb. 19, 1982)