Student Sponsored Political Activities

The “Guidelines for Student Sponsored Political Activities on Campus” have been developed by the Center for Student Enrichment to encourage student participation in the democratic process while maintaining the University’s integrity in regard to political activity.  The following guidelines are intended to fulfill this purpose by informing students of the means by which political activities may be conducted on the campus of Northern Michigan University.  The guidelines are based on and serve as a summary of existing University regulations and policies.  They should not be considered as replacements for or as inclusive of these regulations and policies.  Existing policies or evaluations as well as additional information regarding them may be obtained at the Center for Student Enrichment, 1205 University Center. 

I. Political Speakers

Persons speaking on campus on behalf of a political candidate(s) or issue(s) at the invitation of students will be subject to the provisions in the Policy Relating to Activity Approval and the Use of University Facilities by Registered Student Organizations.  Provisions within this policy to be especially aware of are:

A. The speaker must be sponsored by a registered student organization.

B. For purposes of coordinating the activity with available room space and other campus events, the speaker must be registered at least 14 days prior to the event with the Center for Student Enrichment.

C. The speaker may not incite the audience to take unlawful action.

II. Posters and Signs

Posters and signs promoting or calling attention to a political candidate, activity, or issue may be displayed upon University property in accordance with the Posting Materials Policy, and University Ordinances 22.00 (Property:  Destruction of or Damage to) and 28.00 (Soliciting, Selling, and Publicizing) found in the University Ordinances booklet, and Regulations 7.00 (Destruction of Property) and 23.000 (Solicitation, Selling, and Publicizing) found in the Student Code.  Guidelines to be especially aware of are:

A. All posters and signs must be registered in the Center for Student Enrichment prior to posting.

B. Notices, posters, and signs may not be attached to any fence, wall, pole, post, car, tree, or any outside part of a University building or facility.

III. Leaflets and Flyers

Leaflets and flyers may be distributed on campus in accordance with the policy regarding “Distribution or Sale of NMU Student Publications and Other Written Materials.”  Provisions from this policy to be especially aware of are:

A. Outside the confines of buildings, leaflets and flyers may be passed out hand-to-hand or picked up without prior permission provided the distribution does not obstruct access to, or egress from, any building or interfere with any institutional program and the normal maintenance of grounds or structures under University control.

B. Leaflets and flyers may be picked up, passed hand-to-hand, or otherwise distributed within the public areas of any University building or facility established for such an activity by the Director of the Center for Student Enrichment in consultation with the representatives of the building, provided the distribution does not obstruct access to or egress from any building or interfere with any institutional program and the normal maintenance of University structures.

IV. Fundraising

All activities involving the collection of money in support of political candidates by registered student organizations are defined as fundraising projects.  These activities may be carried out according to the provisions of the Guidelines for Student Organization Fundraising Activities and University Regulation 23.00 (Soliciting, Selling, and Publicizing) found in the Student Code booklet.  Provisions to be especially aware of are:

A. A registered student organization may conduct fundraising projects on campus after receiving written approval by the Director of the Center for Student Enrichment.

B. Posters, signs, flyers, etc., promoting these fundraising activities must be approved as mentioned in Sections II and III of this document.

V. Use of Funds Collected and Received by the University

The University is not legally authorized to expend funds in promotion or support of a political issue or the candidacy of a person seeking political office.  Accordingly, funds received by the University or collected by the University as a condition of enrollment may not be used for the promotion or support of a political candidate or issue.  This policy applies but is not limited to the Residence Hall Program Activity Fee, the WUPX Radio Station Fee, and the Student Activity Fee.

VI. Outdoor Rallies and Parades

Outdoor rallies and parades may be conducted on campus if the following guidelines are adhered to:

A. Plans for conducting a rally or parade must be registered by submitting a Student Organization Activity Request form.

B. The rally or parade shall not obstruct or disturb the free movement of persons, the normal operation of the University and the normal use of University buildings and facilities, or contravene University ordinances, regulations, or State or Federal laws.

VII. Use of Sound Amplifying Equipment

The use of sound amplifying equipment is permitted on campus in accordance with Regulation 24.00 (Sound Amplifying Equipment) of the Student Code.  Provisions to be especially aware of in the use of sound amplifying equipment are:

A. The use of sound amplifying equipment is permitted outdoors only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the lawn adjacent to the north side of the University Center.

B. The use of sound amplifying equipment by registered student organizations in areas on campus other than those provided in Section VII A may be requested through the Center for Student Enrichment.

C. The use of sound amplifying equipment may not interfere with the instructional, research, and administrative functions of the University as well as normal University activities or events.

VIII. Use of University Facilities

The use of available University facilities may be secured according to provisions in the Policy Relating to Activity Approval and the Use of University Facilities by Registered Student Organizations.  Guidelines to be especially aware of are:

A. Registered student organizations may reserve available University facilities through the Center for Student Enrichment.

B. Organizations reserving University facilities will be required to pay the standard service charge for additional services that might be required in utilizing the facilities.

C. Requests for use of residence hall facilities must be submitted to the respective Residence Hall Director at least 14 days in advance of the date of a planned event for approval by the Hall Director and the hall council(s).

IX. Political Canvassing

Candidates and/or their political workers may make direct personal contact with students living in University housing for the purpose of explaining their political platforms in accordance with the following provisions.

A. Prior to beginning their canvassing, canvassers shall make their intentions known to the appropriate housing officials.  In the residence halls, the appropriate officials are the Resident Director and the President of the Hall Council.  For University apartments, the appropriate official is the Coordinator of Apartment Services.

B. Canvassing may take place in University housing only between the hours of 12 noon and 10 p.m.

C. Canvassing must comply with the provisions of escort policies regarding visitation and the closing hours of residence halls.

D. Canvassers must show due consideration for the rights of the individual student when participating in this activity.

The registration of voters may be conducted on campus in accordance with the provisions established by the Marquette City Clerk’s Office and the policies regarding the use of University facilities