The essential functions of the Ensign College require strict institutional neutrality, integrity, and independence regarding partisan political activities. This is especially important at the college, where perceived partisanship could be interpreted as Church endorsement. This policy is intended to state and protect the neutrality of the College and the Church in the course of political activities that involve members of the campus community or college facilities and resources. The intent of the college is to provide appropriate opportunities for learning and public service without breaching its institutional neutrality in partisan political matters. The college recognizes its responsibilities to:
- prepare students for effective citizenship
- accommodate appropriate public service and involvement in the political process by college employees
- avoid any impression that a particular candidate, party, or faction has the support or approval of the college
- enable the college to serve the community in appropriate ways
- ensure that private opinions and actions of college personnel are not construed as college positions in political matters
- prevent any candidate, party, or faction from exploiting a relationship with the college for partisan ends
The Vice President of Student Affairs and Advancement is responsible for coordinating and implementing this policy.
Political Speakers
No speaker will be invited to campus whose expression of personal or political values demeans the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the college (see Speakers at Ensign College Policy and Public Expression Standards Policy).
Political speakers or activities on campus may be sponsored by the college administration or college student organizations that are officially recognized by the college administration. Groups sponsoring speakers whose appearance is to be publicized beyond individual classes must obtain clearance from the responsible Vice President of Student Affairs and Advancement and observe the rules covering guest speakers as outlined in the Speakers at Ensign College Policy. Candidates running for office will generally not be scheduled to speak during campaigns immediately prior to elections when their appearance could be interpreted as political support of the college. Where appropriate to the objectives of the course, faculty members may, under the guidelines stipulated above, invite speakers into the classroom. No publicity outside the classroom may precede or follow the appearance, and no attempt will be made to ensure equal time for other candidates except at the discretion of the faculty member. The faculty member must obtain prior clearance from the Vice President of Academic Affairs. College classes may not be used to support specific candidates, parties, or political programs. Student assemblies will not be used for partisan political events.
Political Campaign Activities On Campus
Campaign materials (fliers, posters, bumper stickers, pins, literature, films, etc.) may be displayed or distributed only under the sponsorship of clubs or groups officially recognized by the college administration. No other groups or organizations may distribute or display campaign material on campus. The only approved location on campus for campaigning, displaying or distributing campaign materials is a designated area in the multipurpose area. Tables may be set up there for the approved political organizations to distribute appropriate political material. Political candidates may converse with students at the display tables but may not circulate through the multipurpose area or elsewhere on campus for purposes of campaigning. The regular academic functions of the College must not be interrupted by campaign activities. Official tours of the campus for candidates may be arranged with Advancement Office. Candidates should not arrange to be photographed on campus. Photographs, video tapes, films, or other representations of the candidate taken on campus may not be used for campaign purposes. Public announcement of endorsement by a College political club is allowed with the following stipulations:
- endorsement must be in compliance with the club's constitution.
- the official title of a campus club must be used, and the name of the Ensign College may not be used as part of the title of the club or organization
- campus political activities are not to be used as a base for off-campus publicity in a way that could reasonably be expected to lead to an implication of College bias in a partisan political matter.
Political Activities of College Administrators in Policy-making Positions
Persons who have a major influence on College policy could compromise the College's position of political neutrality by participating in partisan political activities. Therefore, those persons serving as members of the President's Council may not publicly endorse partisan political candidates nor hold partisan political office at the city, county, state, or national level unless approved in writing by the administration of Ensign College. These officers should also seek clearance from the administration of the College before pursuing prominent participation in a special district, school board, or other public position that could compromise the college. The administration may authorize a representative from the Advancement Office to attend a campaign activity. No one affiliated with the college is authorized to speak for the college in political matters except the president of the college or those authorized in writing by the president. Some non- partisan activities have such clear potential for merging with partisan politics or for conflict with LDS values as to be inappropriate for college administrators. In cases of reasonable doubt as to whether a contemplated activity would be inappropriate under this rule, the college administrator should seek counsel from the administration. Any candidate (incumbent or candidate) wishing to make a courtesy call on college officials must relinquish publicity of any kind in connection with that visit. This should be explained at the time an appointment is made. When an elected or appointed political office is held by a person who is offered a policy-making position at the College, the person may refuse the college appointment without prejudicing future considerations or take steps to resign from the political office following the appointment.
Use of College Resources and Facilities for Political Purposes
The use of College resources and facilities for partisan political purposes is limited by the following:
- personal expressions of partisan political support by an individual should not list or imply college affiliation. Employees of the college who are candidates for public office may refer to their affiliation with the college in their own campaigns, but should be careful to avoid any implication of college endorsement.
- personal political opinions or partisan support for political candidates may never be transmitted using the college’s letterhead stationery or its electronic communication systems.
- college classes and other institutional gatherings may not be used to support specific candidates, parties, or political programs.
- candidates for public office may not use the records of the college to obtain lists of names or any information for use in a political campaign.
- Campus mail may not be used to distribute campaign literature.
- College buildings and grounds may not be used for partisan political purposes except as provided elsewhere in this policy.
- The College's name, symbols, and logos may not be used to support any candidate or partisan political issues.
- If courses allow academic credit for student work in support of political candidates, the administrative procedures and instructors chosen for such courses must clearly preserve the political neutrality of the College. Candidates or party organizers should not be assigned as instructors of such courses, nor should they use for their political benefit any other course they may be teaching.
College Employees Who Run for Public Office or Work Extensively in Political Campaigns
Except as prohibited elsewhere in this policy, college employees may run for public office or accept opportunities to work extensively in political campaigns if campaigning does not interfere with their college duties. Since campaigning may affect a person's ability to meet all college responsibilities, a faculty member must first establish an agreement in writing with the Vice President for Academic Affairs before agreeing to become a candidate for public office or making an announcement of intent to run for office. Administrative or staff personnel must obtain approval from the Vice President of Student Affairs and Advancement. Incumbent candidates for re-election must renew this agreement each time they run. If necessary, a revised contract will be negotiated that reduces remuneration and responsibilities in a mutually acceptable way. College employees must not allow campaigning to interfere with the performance of regular college duties and must not engage in campaigning during working hours. Employees who receive approval to run for office must be especially careful to protect the college's position of neutrality and impartiality. The above restrictions also apply to employees who are not candidates themselves but who wish to work extensively in political campaigns.
Leave for Elected or Appointed Public Officers
While the college encourages its employees to contribute public service, the need to preserve neutrality and independence requires that employees not be compensated by the college for the time spent working in public political office. Consequently, college personnel elected or appointed to public office will need to adjust their relationship with the college as follows:
- Employees serving in public office must establish with the college administration the amount of college service that is lost in the provision of the public service and accept appropriate adjustments in compensation.
- If the public office requires the full time of the individual, he or she should resign the college position before accepting the public post. In some cases, short-term absences from the college may be arranged as personal leave periods without compensation.