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<p>The American Council on Education (ACE) has released guidelines on permitted and prohibited political campaign-related activities on college and university campuses. Members of the MCC community are expected to follow the ACE guidelines, as well as applicable law when engaging in activities relating to political campaigns or candidates. The ACE guidelines review a number of important activities, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Voter education.</strong> Universities are permitted to conduct voter education activities as long as they are carried out in a non-partisan manner. Permitted activities include non-partisan voter registration activities, circulation of questionnaires to candidates for an office (provided the questionnaires cover a broad range of subjects and do not express an editorial opinion), and training programs designed to increase understanding of the electoral process or to encourage students, faculty and staff to become involved in the process.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Candidate appearances.</strong> Universities may invite political candidates to speak at events or public forums as long as all candidates are provided equal access and opportunities to speak. Universities are prohibited from institutionally endorsing a particular candidate at those events. In addition, campaign fundraising at university events and forums is prohibited. Individuals may also be invited to speak for reasons other than their candidacy, such as a classroom lecture or non-political university event, but they may not campaign or refer to an election.</li>
<li><strong>Use of institutional resources.</strong> Acceptable uses of university resources include establishing genuine curricular activities; adjusting academic calendar to allow students to participate in the political process (if it does not favor a campaign or issue); and allowing recognized/chartered student groups to use institutional facilities for partisan political purposes (provided the student groups follow all rules and regulations). Internal communications may be utilized to alert the MCC community to events sponsored by student groups or rentals that are taking place on MCC property. Such communications must clearly list the sponsoring organization and must state that the university does not endorse any political candidates.</li>
<li><strong>Participation in the electoral process by faculty, staff, and students.</strong> Curricular activities aimed at educating students with respect to the political process (e.g. allowing students as part of a class to participate in political campaign activities) are permitted as long as the university does not influence particular student choices. In general, members of the university community are entitled to participate in the election process, provided they do not speak or act in the name of the institution and do not use MCC resources.</li>
</ul>
<p>The ACE guidelines, as well as MCC's procedures, are based on state law, IRS rulings under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Election Campaign Act. The penalties associated with improper political activity by a college or university are quite severe, and can include loss of the institution's tax-exempt status and state or federal lawsuits, audits, or investigations.</p>
<p>Please note that state law prohibits most public employees from using public resources to lobby. MCC employees should not use their MCC email to communicate their personal opinions or positions on political issues. If you choose to publicly express your support of community college funding, please use your own personal resources. It is the responsibility of all employees not to represent their personal opinions as positions or policies of MCC.</p>
<p>If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Clayton Jones, assistant to the president for government relations, at <a href="mailto:cjones@monroecc.edu">cjones@monroecc.edu</a> or x2192.</p>

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MCC Daily Tribune

Political Activities On Campus & Inviting Elected Officials To MCC.

As we approach Election Day 2018, please take note of the following reminders. In order to provide proper reception, observe appropriate protocols, and ensure that adequate facilities and safety issues are addressed, invitations to elected or appointed local, state, or federal officials and dignitaries, or those seeking election, should only be extended after consultation with the President's Office. Anyone desiring to extend such an invitation should contact Clayton Jones, assistant to the president for government relations, at cjones@monroecc.edu or x2192 as soon as practicable, and, if at all possible, not less than two weeks prior to such invitation.

The American Council on Education (ACE) has released guidelines on permitted and prohibited political campaign-related activities on college and university campuses. Members of the MCC community are expected to follow the ACE guidelines, as well as applicable law when engaging in activities relating to political campaigns or candidates. The ACE guidelines review a number of important activities, including:

  • Voter education. Universities are permitted to conduct voter education activities as long as they are carried out in a non-partisan manner. Permitted activities include non-partisan voter registration activities, circulation of questionnaires to candidates for an office (provided the questionnaires cover a broad range of subjects and do not express an editorial opinion), and training programs designed to increase understanding of the electoral process or to encourage students, faculty and staff to become involved in the process.
  • Candidate appearances. Universities may invite political candidates to speak at events or public forums as long as all candidates are provided equal access and opportunities to speak. Universities are prohibited from institutionally endorsing a particular candidate at those events. In addition, campaign fundraising at university events and forums is prohibited. Individuals may also be invited to speak for reasons other than their candidacy, such as a classroom lecture or non-political university event, but they may not campaign or refer to an election.
  • Use of institutional resources. Acceptable uses of university resources include establishing genuine curricular activities; adjusting academic calendar to allow students to participate in the political process (if it does not favor a campaign or issue); and allowing recognized/chartered student groups to use institutional facilities for partisan political purposes (provided the student groups follow all rules and regulations). Internal communications may be utilized to alert the MCC community to events sponsored by student groups or rentals that are taking place on MCC property. Such communications must clearly list the sponsoring organization and must state that the university does not endorse any political candidates.
  • Participation in the electoral process by faculty, staff, and students. Curricular activities aimed at educating students with respect to the political process (e.g. allowing students as part of a class to participate in political campaign activities) are permitted as long as the university does not influence particular student choices. In general, members of the university community are entitled to participate in the election process, provided they do not speak or act in the name of the institution and do not use MCC resources.

The ACE guidelines, as well as MCC's procedures, are based on state law, IRS rulings under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Election Campaign Act. The penalties associated with improper political activity by a college or university are quite severe, and can include loss of the institution's tax-exempt status and state or federal lawsuits, audits, or investigations.

Please note that state law prohibits most public employees from using public resources to lobby. MCC employees should not use their MCC email to communicate their personal opinions or positions on political issues. If you choose to publicly express your support of community college funding, please use your own personal resources. It is the responsibility of all employees not to represent their personal opinions as positions or policies of MCC.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Clayton Jones, assistant to the president for government relations, at cjones@monroecc.edu or x2192.

Clayton Jones
President's Office
10/17/2018