Considerations for Political Candidates or Campaigns

As an institution of higher education, Dallas College encourages members of its community to fully and freely exercise their constitutional right to vote and to express their opinions regarding political candidates and key issues affecting local and state initiatives. However, in keeping with the role of the community college as a public, community institution, there are certain restrictions on exercising those rights on Dallas College property and in a manner that suggests endorsements of a particular cause or candidate by the college. This document outlines important guidelines for Dallas College employees and students regarding political activity on college property.

Use of College Resources:

Texas law and Dallas College Board of Trustees Policy and Procedures prohibit any and all uses of college resources to advocate political positions, including advocacy for or against a candidate. College resources are intended to be used to help meet general educational, cultural and recreational needs of the community and to conduct college business in furtherance of that goal. College resources include, but are not limited to, funds, facilities, time, staff services, space, campus mail (including electronic mail and listservs), vehicles, computing equipment and any other equipment, including telephones, fax machines, copiers, paper and supplies.

Considerations for the use of college resources are as follows:

1. Dallas College employees may not take part in political advertising or campaign on work time or coerce others to do so. This includes sending emails, making phone calls or preparing written materials that advocate passage or defeat of a candidate or measure. Employees may, however, convey factual information concerning an election, such as the date of the election and, as is true for all citizens, engage in political activity on their own time. Please see Dallas College Board Policy DJ Local for guidance on what qualifies as work hours.
2. Acceptable uses of Dallas College resources include establishing genuine curricular activities; encouraging student participation in the political process (e.g. allowing students to participate in political campaign activities as part of class curriculum); preparation by college staff of Dallas College-published brochures, flyers, etc., that provide purely factual information (e.g. date/time of election, amount of bonds, purpose of bond election); and allowing formally recognized student or employee groups/organizations to use Dallas College facilities for political purposes.

Pursuant to Dallas College Board Policy and Procedures, college facilities may be made available to community groups and members whenever such use does not interfere with the instructional program and is consistent with the educational and community service objectives of the college. Should any outside group, whether community members or students, seek to use Dallas College facilities for activities related to an election, these guidelines and any fee requirements prescribed by Dallas College Board Policy and Procedures shall apply to all groups equally, without regard to the political viewpoint of the groups involved.

• When necessary, employees and students should make clear that their affiliation with Dallas College does not imply college approval or disapproval of an expressed view, a particular candidate or specific issue. Such a disclaimer may be necessary in activities such as:

1. Participation in a political meeting or when speaking on behalf of a candidate or issue;
2. Writing a letter or signing a statement or petition connected to a political activity;
3. Sponsoring or hosting a political candidate appearance.