Political Involvement
1. PURPOSE
The essential functions of Brigham Young University–Hawaii ("BYU–Hawaii" or "university") require strict institutional neutrality, integrity, and independence regarding partisan political activities. Recognizing, disclosing, and managing employee conflicts of interest is a crucial part of maintaining integrity on campus and reinforcing a culture of professionalism and the proper use of university resources. This policy is designed to protect the neutrality of the university and to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided.
2. POLICY
It is permissible for university personnel to run for public office if campaigning does not interfere with university duties, they have the proper permissions, and they do not use university resources.
3. Implementation
3.1 Candidates for Public Office
3.1.1 Permission
University personnel must obtain permission in writing from the appropriate BYU–Hawaii administrative officers, including the university president, before he/she agrees to become a candidate for public office or makes an announcement to run.
- A faculty member must obtain this permission from their dean, the academic vice president, and the university president.
- Approval for staff or administrative personnel must be obtained from the administrative vice president and the university president.
This permission may be revoked if campaigning interferes with the performance of regular duties at the university. (See Conflicts of Interest policy).
3.1.2 Resources
Candidates for office are not to use university resources.
- Personal political opinions or partisan support for political candidates may never be transmitted on university stationary.
- University classes and other institutional gatherings may not be used to support specific candidates, parties, or political programs.
- Candidates for office may not use the records of the university to obtain lists of names or any information for use in a political campaign.
- Campus mail may not be used to distribute campaign literature or to promote votes.
- University supplies, equipment, and personnel may not be used for partisan political purposes except those few services which are occasionally made available for a standard fee on a restricted basis to outside organizations (e.g. print services).
- University buildings and grounds may not be used for partisan political purposes except as provided elsewhere in this policy.
- The university’s name, symbols, and logos may not be used to support any candidate or partisan political issues. See Use of University Identity policy.
3.1.3 Personal Expression
Employees who are candidates for office may refer to their own affiliation to the university in their own campaigns, but should be careful to avoid any implication of university endorsement. See Political Neutrality policy.
Candidates should not arrange to be photographed on campus. Photographs, video tapes, films, or other representations taken on campus may not be used for campaign purposes. See the Filming and Photography on Campus policy for additional information.
3.2 Successful Candidates
If a person is elected to a public office, the following will apply:
3.2.1 Full-Time Involvement
If the office requires the full time of the individual, then he/she should resign or request leave of absence before taking the office. Short-term departures from the university can be arranged as personal leaves without compensation under standard policy (See Administrative and Staff Employee Leaves policy).
- Since the university generally grants leaves of absence for only one year, a leave for two or more years would likely not be considered.
- A leave for a two-year period might mean the return to the university would be dependent upon the existence of an appropriate position, and the return to the previously occupied position might not be guaranteed.
3.2.2 Compensation for Part-Time Involvement
Upon the approval of the appropriate administrative authorities, if the office requires only part-time involvement, compensation arrangements will be made as follows:
- Faculty members on regular contracts may receive full compensation from the university and the public office.
Appropriate arrangements must be made to cover classes and responsibilities adequately. - If additional help is hired to fulfill the faculty member’s responsibilities at the university, the cost of the additional help will be deducted from the faculty member’s paycheck.
When approved, a letter of appointment may be written to require services to the university for semesters and terms during which the Legislature is not in session. Assignment to block plan courses may facilitate this contractual arrangement.
Administrative or staff employees, with employment on a 12-month basis:
- Continue to receive regular compensation from the university; however, the amount received as compensation for the public office will be returned to the university.
- If he/she chooses, however, the university salary will be reduced by the amount of compensation received for the service in public office.
The term “compensation” as used above is not intended to include any payments for items generally classified as “expenses.”