Catalog Navigator : Institutional Policies

Political Campaign Activities
DePaul University, consistent with its educational mission, supports and promotes participation in the political process on the part of its students, faculty and staff. Participation and voting in the civil elections are among the highest responsibilities of good citizenship. The Higher Education Act of 1998 specifically mandates institutions that receive federal aid to promote voter registration.

All colleges and universities, however, are limited in the extent to which they, as institutions may participate in campaign activities. DePaul is subject to limitations on political activity as a nonprofit, tax exempt organization. An organization exempt from under Section 501(c) 3 may undertake no activity whatsoever on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office whether such office be federal, state or local. This is an absolute prohibition.
DePaul University, in order to protect its tax-exempt status as a 501(c) 3 organization, may not "participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office." Penalties for improper political campaign activity can include loss of tax exempt status, substantial taxes on DePaul University (and on managers who knowingly violate the law), and federal or state government audits or investigations.

Activities of or Attributable to DePaul University
A. Examples of Permitted Activities

Curricular activities aimed at educating students with respect to the political process, and addressing, during a political campaign, usual and customary permissible public policy education.
Voter education activities, if linked to DePaul's educational purpose.
Non partisan voter registration
Conducting DePaul-sponsored public forums to which all legally qualified candidates (or, if impractical, at least all candidates who meet certain objective criteria) for public office (or for the nomination of a particular party) are invited and given equal access and opportunity to speak. The format and content of the forum must be presented in a neutral manner.
Supplying a hyperlink to the Web pages of all candidates (or, if impractical, at least all candidates who meet certain objective criteria).
Circulating unbiased questionnaires to all candidates (or, if impractical, at least all candidates who meet certain objective criteria) and tabulating results.
Conducting training programs designed to increase public understanding of the electoral process.
Conducting public opinion polls with respect to issues, rather than candidates, provided that the questions are framed to be fair and neutral, accepted polling techniques are used, and the questions do not directly or indirectly concern records or positions of particular candidates or parties. With respect to such activities of faculty, the limitations should be addressed with due regard for academic freedom.

B. Examples of Prohibited Activities
The University or anyone acting on behalf of the University is prohibited from:

Posting or distributing posters, campaign signs, fliers, etc., for political candidates on campus.
Endorsing by or on behalf of the university, expressly or by implication, a candidate for public office whether such office be federal, state or local.
Making official comments on specific actions, statements, or positions taken by candidates (except issues pertinent to its tax free purpose).
Reimbursing university employees for campaign contributions.
Fundraising for a candidate for public office on university premises.
Conducting "voter education" activities, if confined to a narrow range of issues or biased in favor of a particular candidate or party.
Conducting voter registration activities that are similarly biased.
Coordinating voter education activities with campaign events.
Sponsoring events to advance the candidacy of particular candidates.
Providing to a candidate, campaign, political party, political action committee (PAC) or the like mailing lists, use of office space, computers, telephones, fax machines, photocopiers, or other DePaul supplies or facilities.
Publishing ratings of candidates, where it could be viewed as reflecting views of DePaul.
Promoting action (e.g., voting) with respect to issues that have become highly identified as dividing lines between candidates.
Use of message boards and forums on DePaul's Web site to support particular candidates if the statements of the provider of the information can be reasonably attributed to DePaul (a disclaimer that states that the opinions are neither the opinion of the University nor sanctioned by the university is recommended in those public discussion areas where the information could reasonably be attributed to the university).

Activities of Students of Depaul University
A. Examples of Permitted Activities

A student newspaper that is financially supported by the university may engage in partisan editorial activities, given the student newspaper provides a disclaimer that the editorial views do not reflect those of the university.
Student organizations recognized by Student Life may use DePaul facilities for partisan political purposes, provided the organizations pay any normal charge for use of facilities, if any. It must be made clear that views presented by the organizations do not reflect those of the university.
DePaul student radio station may provide access to airtime to political candidates, provided it is offered on an equal basis to all candidates and it is made clear that the views presented do not reflect those of the university.
Students may wear political reference paraphernalia.
Students may post campaign signs, fliers, etc., for political candidates in their personal rooms, only if such material is not posted for public viewing (i.e., not placed in a window facing out).

B. Examples of Prohibited Activities

Student organizations are prohibited from providing to any individual or group in support of a candidate, campaign, political party, political action committee (PAC), or the like, university developed or provided mailing lists, use of Depaul letterhead, office space, computers, telephones, fax machines, photocopiers, or other DePaul supplies or facilities.
Soliciting of students on campus to work in a campaign unless sponsored by a recognized student organization. Student organizations are prohibited from providing to any individual or group in support of a candidate, campaign, political party, political action committee (PAC), or the like, University developed or provided mailing lists, use of DePaul letterhead, office space, computers, telephones, fax machines, photocopiers, or other DePaul supplies or facilities.

Emergency Contacts

In an emergency situation, the university reserves the right to contact a student's parent, legal guardian, spouse and/or the person designated as the emergency contact on the university registration/admission forms.

HIV/AIDS Guidelines�

DePaul University asserts that "the intrinsic values of the human person stand above other values. The personal rights and dignity of individuals are held to be inviolate." In an effort to maintain these principles, guidelines have been established regarding the rights of students, faculty and staff who are HIV-infected or have AIDS. The DePaul University guidelines are available throughout the University at the libraries, college offices, Student Affairs Office and the University Counseling Center and on the University Policies and Procedures website.

Involuntary Withdrawal�

Involuntary withdrawal from the university or its residence halls, on an interim or permanent basis, may be imposed when a student exhibits behavior not attributable to voluntary conduct subject to disciplinary action under this code. The Dean of Students may withdraw any student from the university or its residence halls. The Director of Residence Life may only withdraw resident students from their campus living accommodations. Such an involuntary withdrawal may be undertaken if a student is:

unable to effectively pursue his or her academic work;�
unreasonably disruptive to the normal educational processes and orderly operation of the university;�
endangering or threatening to endanger him/herself including but not limited too behavior related to alcohol or other substance abuse; or�
displaying behaviors that endanger or threaten to endanger other members of the university community.�

If a withdrawn student succeeds in correcting the impairment that originally led to the need for withdrawal, he/she may petition the Dean of Students or Director of Residence Life to be returned to good standing. Students will be given specific conditions for petitioning to return. The university reserves the right to request that a student provide sufficient documentation, at the student's expense, to support his/her petition that he/she is ready to return to the university.

Space�

All student requests for space on campus will be made to the appropriate reservations unit. These requests are to be made in writing. The person(s) and/or organizations making the request will assume full responsibility for any abuse of property and actions of participants.

Speakers Policy�

DePaul University encourages its recognized student organizations to sponsor guest speakers whose presentation will contribute to the role of the university as a forum for intellectual discussion, debate, investigation and/or artistic expression. Through this forum, speakers bring to the university an opportunity for students to hear and discuss opposing viewpoints on a wide range of issues.

It should be understood that providing a forum in no way implies university approval or endorsement of the views expressed by the sponsored speaker. This statement must be included in all publications and advertising of the event.
Student Organizations�

The university supports and encourages student organizations in a variety of areas including scholarly, ethnic, honorary, university-sponsored, Greek and special interest. The university recognizes the value and contribution that student organizations make in a student's total college experience and education.

DePaul's Recognition Policy and Procedures is a formal system used to maintain the quality and high standards of our current organizations. Recognition as a student organization accords certain rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities are defined in the recognition policy along with the requirements for new student organization recognition, renewal of recognition status for current organizations and loss of recognition of current student organizations. It is each student organization's responsibility to become familiar with this policy as it applies to all organizations. This policy may be obtained from the Office of Student Life.

University-sponsored organizations will have an advisor appointed by the university. All other organizations will select their own faculty or staff advisor with the approval of the Office of Student Life. Any off-campus action of any recognized student organization is the sole responsibility of the student organization and its officers. In compliance with the reporting requirements of the Clery Act and Campus Security Act, an officer of the organization must file a report of any off-campus crimes (as defined by the act) with the Dean of Students Office within 24 hours of said offense.

Student Organizations are expected to adhere to all applicable institutional regulations. The university reserves the right to determine the appropriate time, place, content and manner for conducting activities, and posting and distribution of materials on any of its campuses.�

Consequently, the university may deny or restrict the activities of student organizations. Student organizations are expected to exercise good judgment in planning and promoting their activities. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being initiated against the organization; consequently, policies, procedures and sanctions set forth within the Student Code of Conduct apply to student organizations collectively as well as to individual students. The Office of Student Life will work in conjunction with the Dean of Students in any disciplinary action