Political Neutrality
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. This neutrality is especially important at BYU–Hawaii where perceived partisanship is often interpreted as endorsement by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Church"). This policy is designed to protect the neutrality of the university and the Church in the course of political activities and to preserve the university’s tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Policy
The university aims to encourage appropriate opportunities for learning and public service without breaching its institutional neutrality in support of or against a particular candidate, party, or faction. The university recognizes its responsibilities to:
- Prepare students for effective citizenship.
- Promote scholarly research and inquiry regarding public policy and the political process.
- Accommodate faculty efforts to enhance civic dialogue through their research, and
- Accommodate appropriate public service and involvement in the political process by university personnel and students.
The present position of political neutrality is adopted in order to:
- Avoid any impression that a particular candidate, party, or faction has the endorsement of the university.
- Enable the university to serve the community appropriately.
- Ensure that opinions and actions of university personnel or university organizations, including chartered clubs and student academic associations, are not construed as university positions in political matters.
- Preclude any candidate, party, or faction from exploiting a relationship with the university for partisan ends.
3. Implementation
3.1. Political Speakers
3.1.1 Political Values May Not Demean BYU–Hawaii Principles
No speaker will be invited to campus whose expression of political values would demean the principles of BYU–Hawaii or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
3.1.2 Sponsorship
Political speakers or activities on campus may be sponsored by any of the following groups:
- The university or one of its faculties/divisions or
- BYU–Hawaii clubs.
3.1.3 Clearance
Groups sponsoring candidates whose appearance is to be publicized beyond individual classes must obtain clearance from the academic vice president and observe the rules regarding guest speakers as outlined in this policy.
3.1.4 Classroom Invitations
University classes may not be used to support specific candidates, parties, or political programs. Where appropriate to the objectives of the course, faculty members may invite candidates or their representatives into the classroom with prior approval from their dean.
No publicity outside the classroom may precede or follow the appearance and no attempt will be made to ensure equal time for other candidates except at the discretion of the faculty member.
3.1.5 Forum Assemblies
Forum assemblies will not be used for partisan political events.
3.2 Courtesy to Speakers with Controversial Positions
Participants in all events should be treated with courtesy and respect. Those desiring to express public opposition in connection with these events must follow the request procedures, the conduct and content standards, and the time, place, and manner standards of the Public Expression policy. Banners, placards, handouts, unusual dress, shouts, or any other expression or actions that attempt to disrupt or harass the participants in an event are not allowed, and violators may be subject to university discipline and/or arrest.
3.3 Political Campaign Activities on Campus
3.3.1 Distribution of Campaign Materials
Campaign materials (flyers, posters, bumper stickers, pins, literature, films, etc.) may be displayed or distributed, in a designated area, by prior approval of the President’s Council, via the student life vice president and only under the sponsorship of registered university political clubs. No other groups or organizations may distribute or display campaign material on campus.
Political candidates may accompany club members in conversing with students at the display tables but may not circulate through campus for campaigning purposes.
3.3.2. Functions of the University
The regular functions of the university should not be interrupted by campaign activities. Official tours of the campus may be arranged with university relations.
3.3.3. Photographs on Campus
Candidates should not arrange to be photographed on campus.
Photographs, video tapes, films, or other representations of the candidate taken on campus may not be used for campaign purposes. See the Filming and Photography on Campus policy for additional information.
3.3.5. Endorsement
Public announcement of endorsement of a political candidate by a university political club may be allowed
when in compliance with the club’s constitution.
The official title of a campus club must be used. The university’s name or stationary may not be used as part of the title. (See Use of University Identity policy).
3.3.6. Off-Campus Publicity
Campus political activities are not to be used as a base for off-campus publicity in a way that could reasonably be expected to lead to an implication of university bias in a support of or against any particular candidate, party, or faction.
3.4 Political Activities of University Administrators in Policy-Making Decisions
3.4.1 University Representation
No one affiliated with BYU–Hawaii is authorized to speak for the university in political matters except the university president or those authorized by him.
3.4.2 Questionable Non-Partisan Activities
Some non-partisan activities have such clear potential for merging with partisan politics or for conflict with the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints so as to be inappropriate for university administrators. In cases of reasonable doubt as to whether a contemplated activity would be inappropriate under this rule, the university administrator should seek counsel from the appropriate supervisor.
3.4.3 Courtesy Calls
Any candidate or incumbent wishing to make a courtesy call on university officials must relinquish publicity of any kind in connection with that visit. This should be explained at the time an appointment is made.
3.4.4 University Appointment
When an elected or appointed political office is held by a person who is offered a policy-making position at the university, the person may refuse the university appointment without prejudicing future considerations or may take steps to resign from the political office within a year following the appointment.
3.5 Use of University Resources/Facilities for Political Purposes
The use of university resources and facilities for particular candidate, party, or faction political purposes is limited by the following:
- 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).
3.5.1 Personal Expression
Personal expressions of support or against any particular candidate, party, or faction, by an employee should not list university affiliation or imply university endorsement. (See Political Involvement policy).
3.5.2 Academic Credit
Some courses allow academic credit for student work in support of political candidates. (See the Internship policy).
The administrative procedures for approving internships must clearly preserve the neutrality of the university. Faculty that are candidates or internship coordinators should not use their position for their political benefit.
3.6 Exceptions
Only the president may authorize exceptions to the provisions of this policy.