University reminds campus staff of policy on political candidate activities

From time to time during major political campaigns, the university receives inquiries and complaints concerning candidate visits .

Candidates are welcome to visit UW–Madison during primary and general election campaign seasons, but they and their supporters are required to adhere to a university policy established in 1978.

Associate dean of students emeritus Roger Howard says the intensity of political activity on campus increased greatly after the national voting age was lowered to 18 by Constitutional amendment in 1971.

“Candidates and their supporters understandably were interested in as much access to students as they could get,” recalls Howard, noting that early in that period, the Board of Regents did not allow any use of university facilities for political purposes.

“Under challenge from candidates and their student supporters, that position changed over time,” says Howard.

“The university came to accept that there were ways in which facilities could be used appropriately for political purposes without unfairly entangling the university in political campaigns and interfering with its educational mission.”

Under specific conditions, student organizations, political parties and candidates for public office may reserve university facilities for political purposes.

The policy on “Use of University of Wisconsin–Madison Facilities for Political Purposes,” known as P-6, states that leaders of political parties and candidates for public office may hold meetings on campus if facilities are available on the date and time of day requested.

During a campaign, a university venue or outdoor space may be made available for one public meeting on behalf of each recognized candidate, providing he or she chooses to come to campus.

The campaigns are charged for necessary services, particularly when a large facility such as the Kohl Center, Stock Pavilion or Union Theater is the venue requested. Those charges include services such as set-up and tear down, security, AV equipment, computer hookups, and risers for the legions of media covering the major candidates.

In a general election year, each political party also may use a university venue for one public meeting on behalf of its candidates for national office and one public meeting on behalf of its candidates for statewide office.

During a presidential primary or general election campaign, relatives and other high-profile supporters may want to make appearances on behalf of their candidates.

Minnesota’s Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a brief visit to the engineering campus last week on behalf of Sen. John McCain. He met with reporters to talk about McCain’s energy policy and toured the university’s nuclear reactor facility.

In April, Chelsea Clinton and former president Bill Clinton made separate stops here to generate support for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s candidacy.

P-6 allows registered student organizations to invite candidates for public office to speak in university facilities with no limit on the number of appearances by a candidate. However, student-sponsored events are not to be open to the public. All publicity and advertising regarding a campaign event must clearly state that attendance is limited to UW–Madison students, faculty and staff, and that the event is sponsored by a registered student organization.

The Student Organizations Office has developed a guide, “Student Organizations and Campaigning Activities,” that covers various issues such as advertising candidate appearances, handing out or posting flyers, chalking, stuffing mailboxes and other political activities.

Employees should also be aware of the policies regarding political activity in the workplace. Visit for the full policy, or read it on Page 12. For questions, contact the director of the Central Reservations Office at 262-5168.

For “Guidance on Political Campaign Activities at UW System Institutions” in the form of questions and answers, visit Guidance on Political Campaign Activities at UW System Institutions.