St. Cloud State University must maintain partisan and political viewpoint neutrality in all University related activities. While faculty, staff, and students may hold individual partisan views, they may not claim, suggest, or imply, by word, action, or location of political activity, that the University supports, endorses, or lends its name to a candidate, political party, or ballot initiative.
Sponsorship of Political Speakers
Registered student organizations and/or a University group (office, program, center, school, college, department, etc.) may sponsor and schedule political events on campus that are primarily for students, faculty, and staff and for educational purposes. Unions or bargaining units are not University groups for the purposes of this policy. The same policies, procedures, and processes apply for the use of space that would normally apply to registered student organizations and University groups. The invited candidate or political speaker may be affiliated with a specific political party, however, the following apply:
- The sponsoring organization or University group must ensure that it is clear that the event is in no way an endorsement from the University or university administration, including in all event announcements, marketing materials, or other publicity.
- All event announcements, marketing materials, or other publicity should clearly and prominently identify the name of the sponsoring organization or University group.
- The sponsoring student organization or University group must fully understand and comply with all University political solicitation and dissemination policy requirements.
Equal opportunity shall be provided such that no candidate or political speaker is denied access based on political affiliation or viewpoint. A neutral introduction of the speaker(s) by a University representative does not constitute an endorsement of the speaker(s), their political affiliation, or their message.
Sponsorship of Open Forum Speakers
When holding a political open forum at St. Cloud State University, it is imperative that all legally qualified candidates or delegated representatives are invited to participate. Sponsoring organizations or groups must keep documentation of invitation attempts and declined invitations. A forum may still be held even if a candidate or candidates decline.
Non-Sponsored Event Scheduling and Use of Outdoor Space
Candidates or other political speakers not specifically invited by University group shall be treated as other members of the public when using University spaces. Minnesota statutes and SCSU policies, procedures, and processes apply, including but not limited to those about use of outdoor spaces, display and distribution of information, and facilities rentals. All candidates or other political speakers must be given equitable opportunity and access, however, it is generally permissible to apply reasonable time, place, and manner rules.
Political Expression by Employees
Employees are permitted to post political speech within their cubicle or office area, provided it is not in an area of public access or readily visible to the public. Employees sharing workspace should be respectful of the sensitivities of their co-workers with regard to any political speech that may be posted. Buttons or pins containing a partisan message may be worn unless your work area regulates insignia that may be worn on a uniform. Buttons or pins containing a partisan message may not be worn by St. Cloud State University employees when meeting with the public during the course of their work responsibilities.
Employee Political Use of University Equipment or Resources
St. Cloud State University equipment and resources may be used:
- for incidental personal use which may include communication with elected
- to notify the campus community about University sponsored events that are political in nature so long as there is clear messaging about the University’s neutrality.
- to encourage individuals, in a non-partisan way, to vote.
- to announce resources to assist individuals to vote, such as location to voting sites or transportation options to get to a voting location.
St. Cloud State University equipment and resources must not be used:
- to conduct candidate related political activities including but not limited to fundraising, advertising of non-University sponsored political events, or seeking volunteers for political campaign work.
- to link to political websites or materials.
- to provide incentive of any kind for voter registration or partisan affiliation.
- to distribute political speeches, campaign materials, ballot initiatives, or other partisan political messaging including to/with University listservs.
- to conduct any activity prohibited by Minnesota State Board Procedure 5.22.1, Acceptable Use of Computers and Information Technology Resources (See Supporting URLs).
Residence Halls
Political candidates and campaign workers must be allowed access to campaign in student housing subject to the policies of SCSU Residential Life. Such restrictions include exclusion from particular rooms or apartments, requiring identification, limiting the number of people and hours of visit, and requiring prior appointments.
Student Elections
St. Cloud State University student election candidates’ posters and banners will be posted in the Atwood Memorial Center and on the University campus in full compliance with Student Government Association election rules and the University’s Display and Distribution of Information policy and procedure.
Campaigning, Elections, and Voting
SCSU is subject to the policies of Minnesota State and Minnesota statutes relative to campaigning, elections, political activity and voting. It is important for students, faculty, and staff to understand these policies and laws.
Primary, Election and Caucus Days Scheduling Restrictions
On general election and primary days, including city and county elections; colleges and universities are prohibited from scheduling events, other than regularly scheduled classes, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Classes regularly scheduled during those hours may be held as usual. On caucus days no events, including classes, can be scheduled after 6:00 p.m.
St. Cloud State University is not prohibited from allowing an outside group or person (e.g., local scout troop) to schedule use of campus facilities during these hours, so long as staffing is available.
If a political party precinct caucus scheduled for one date is moved to another date the same restrictions apply, so long as the Secretary of State has announced the new caucus date. St. Cloud State University must make its facilities available for major political party precinct caucuses, legislative district conventions, and county conventions on the same basis that facilities are rented to others. Charges may not exceed the lowest amount charged to any public or private group.
Primary or Election Day Polling Location Prohibitions
Minnesota Statute 211B.11 provides clear guidance about prohibitions on the day of a primary or election. A violation of this statute is a petty misdemeanor. All SCSU students, faculty and staff are encouraged to read the entire statute since SCSU is a public place that may be used as a polling location. Following are key elements from the statute:
- The prohibitions of the statute apply within a polling place, within 100 feet of the polling place, or anywhere on public property on which a polling place is situated.
- Campaign materials, signs, political badges, buttons, or insignia (except for the “I VOTED” sticker) may not be posted, displayed, provided, disseminated, or worn on primary or election day.
- No person shall ask, solicit, or in any manner try to induce or persuade a voter about their vote on primary or election day, including those persons who are transporting a voter to a polling place