Political Campaign Activity by OSU Employees

To: OSU Employees

From: Susan Capalbo, Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
          Cathy Hasenpflug, Chief Human Resources Officer

Subject: Political Campaign Activity by OSU Employees

OSU values free speech and participation in the political process.  As private individuals, OSU employees are encouraged and free to engage in political activities on their own time and using their own resources, in ways that do not interfere with their OSU employment duties; do not convey that such activities are taking place within their role as a university employee; and do not imply that OSU endorses individual political content posted on their personal social media accounts or in other venues.

State law prohibits OSU employees from using OSU resources to support or oppose candidates, ballot measures or initiative petitions being circulated for placement on a ballot, and OSU employees are also prohibited from engaging in those activities in their OSU role or on OSU time. Federal law also has similar prohibitions for federally funded projects.

In general, OSU employees are advised to carefully evaluate their use during OSU work time of any personal signs, buttons, shirts, hats or other expressions of support/opposition to candidates, ballot measures or initiative petitions.  It is imperative that employees do not display such expression in ways that imply OSU sponsorship or endorsement.  Where the location and nature of the work conducted is public-facing or student-facing and the size or location of the button or other expression would combine to imply OSU sponsorship or endorsement, such expression is prohibited.

OSU as an institution may take positions on some political issues (including state and federal legislation), but may not take positions on political candidates, ballot measures or initiative petitions being circulated for placement on a ballot. The OSU Office of Government Relations oversees OSU’s political interests and advocacy at state and federal government levels, and advises and coordinates with the President and the Board of Trustees on political issues. No employee may commit OSU to a political advocacy position without authorization from the Office of Government Relations in coordination with the President. In general, OSU is not in a position to engage in matters of international political disputes or foreign government relations.

Faculty who bring their academic and research expertise into the legislative process in their individual capacity are encouraged to coordinate their efforts with the Office of Government Relations, which can assist navigating the legislative process or coordinating with other institutional or individual efforts.  Faculty may be advised in certain venues to clarify that they are acting in their individual capacity. Please contact Katie Fast, Executive Director of Government Relations for more information about this type of engagement, [email protected].

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