Political Activity Policy (Interim)

Effective Date:
September 24, 2024
Last Revised Date:
September, 2024
Applies To:
Classified Staff, Appointed Personnel, University Staff
Responsible Units:
Human Resources, Government and Community Relations
Status:
Active

Purpose and Summary

Members of the University of Arizona (University) community have the right to participate in Political Activity on their personal time using their personal resources. This Policy defines when a member of the University community may engage in Political Activity within the scope of their affiliation with the University.

Scope

This Policy applies to all University Employees and Designated Campus Colleagues. It does not apply to students in their capacity as students, nor does it apply to the University’s registered lobbyists when they act on behalf of the University.

Definitions

Designated Campus Colleagues (DCCs) means affiliates, associates, volunteers, and interns who contribute their time, services, and expertise to help the University accomplish its missions of teaching, research, and service.

Influence the Outcome of Elections means, as defined by state law, supporting or opposing a candidate for nomination or election to public office; supporting or opposing the recall of a public officer; supporting or opposing a ballot measure, question, or proposition, including any bond, budget, or override election; and/or supporting or opposing the circulation of a petition for the recall of a public officer or a petition for a ballot measure, question, or proposition in any manner that is not impartial or neutral.

Political Activity means any activity intended to Influence the Outcome of Elections, to advocate for or against a candidate for public office, or to advocate support for or opposition to any proposed or pending legislation or other official government action. Political Activity includes activity at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Political Activity does not include application for or advocacy related to seeking a government sponsored grant or contract.

Unit means any University college, department, program, or other operating unit.

University Employee means all University employees, including faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student employees, and temporary employees, whether full-time or part-time.

University Resources means, but is not limited to, monies, accounts, credit, facilities, vehicles, postage, telecommunications, computer hardware and software, web pages, personnel, equipment, materials, buildings, services, letterhead, marks and logos, or any other University items of value.

Policy

  1. Engaging in Political Activity​​
    1. ​University Employees may participate in Political Activity outside of the scope of their employment, but must not allow their interest in a particular party, candidate, or political issue to affect the objectivity of their teaching or the performance of their regular University duties. When speaking or acting as a private citizen, outside the scope of employment:​
      1. A University Employee may use their University title and affiliation for identification purposes only and must clarify that the views expressed are personal and not those of the University or the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).
      2. A University Employee or DCC cannot represent that they are speaking on behalf of the University or ABOR unless expressly authorized to do so.
      3. A University Employee or DCC cannot use University Resources, including paid work time.
    2. A person acting on behalf of the University, including University Employees and DCCs, may not use University Resources for the purpose of:
      1. Influencing the Outcomes of Elections, including influencing the individual vote of a subordinate employee; or
      2. Engaging in Political Activity.
    3. The prohibition against using University Resources to Influence the Outcome of Elections or engage in Political Activity does not preclude or prevent:
      1. A University from reporting on official actions of the University to ABOR;
      2. A registered lobbyist, or a University Employee or DCC assisting the registered lobbyist, in their official capacity, from advocating on behalf of the University or ABOR;
      3. A University Employee or DCC who is appointed to a government board, commission or advisory panel who provides expert testimony or guidance on public policy;
      4. A University Employee or DCC from providing classroom instruction on matters relating to politics, elections, laws, ballot measures, candidates for public office and pending or proposed legislation;
      5. University-sponsored forums or debates if the University remains impartial and the events are purely informational and provide an equal opportunity to all viewpoints;
      6. The publication of reports or the hosting of seminars or guest speakers by the University that recommend public policy; and
      7. A University Employee or DCC expressing their personal opinion on a political issue or public policy controversy, regardless of whether that opinion is expressed inside or outside the classroom.
  2. Individual Penalties for Violation of State Law Regarding Political Activity
    1. ​Any use of University Resources for Political Activity is a violation of state law. The Arizona Attorney General or County Attorneys may bring legal action for violation of state law and significant financial penalties may be imposed.
  3. University Employees Running for or Serving in Public Office ​
    1. Service in the Arizona State Legislature. Under state law, no University Employee may serve in the Arizona State Legislature except for a faculty member whose primary responsibility is course instruction.
    2. Election to Any Other Public Office.  To run for any public office, and to serve if elected, a University Employee must comply with all ABOR and University policies, including Conflict of Interest & Commitment, and Consulting or Other Outside Employment.​

Compliance and Responsibilities

Human Resources, Faculty Affairs, Government and Community Relations, and individual supervisors are responsible for promoting and understanding this Policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure University Employees and DCCs are compliant with this Policy.  Violation of this Policy may result in disciplinary action.

Policy Feedback

We want to respond to your policy inquiries as quickly and efficiently as possible. For questions or comments regarding a particular policy or to notify us of broken links or typographical errors, please provide this information below.

Please Note: Policy feedback is available to the Policy Office, Policy Sponsor, and elected shared governance representatives, upon request, for policies impacting the populations they represent.

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.