Policy No.: 8067 Board Approved: October 16, 2012 Revised: September 15, 2020
Political Activity on Campus As a public, tax-exempt organization, Hagerstown Community College is subject to certain restrictions concerning political activities. The College may not “participate” or “intervene” in any political campaign in support of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office or political party. HCC values the importance of open discussion on important issues and supports the free exchange of varying political viewpoints. As such, the College will provide opportunities to educate its students, faculty, staff, and community through candidate lectures, debates, and other activities, as long as all legally qualified candidates for public office have been given equal access and opportunity to speak and participate. Currently elected officials are welcomed and encouraged to visit campus, as it relates to official (non- campaign) business of the offices they hold. These officials are asked to secure permission from college administrators before coming to campus. It is important for the College to disassociate itself from showing support or opposition to any particular candidate or party. As such, the following disclaimer should be used for campus events involving political candidates: This event is sponsored by . The use of HCC’s facilities for this event does not constitute an endorsement by the College. Hagerstown Community College does not endorse these candidates or organizations or any other candidates or organizations inconnection with this or any other political campaign or election. College employees are permitted and encouraged to participate freely, during non-work hours, in the political process. They are prohibited from using College resources, including email, computers, phones, photocopiers, etc., to endorse or oppose any candidate or political party. When working or speaking in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate or political party, employees must do so as private citizens and not, at any time or place, in their individual capacities as College employees. Employees are prohibited from wearing articles of clothing, hats, or masks supporting any individual associated with a committee, party, or association recognized under Internal Revenue Code Sec. 527(e)(1) while on campus. Student clubs and organizations are encouraged to participate in the political process. Activities, including voter registration, compilation of voter records, circulation of questionnaires, hosted lectures and debates, and public opinion polls may be conducted. However, in order to maintain its tax status, the College may not participate or intervene in any political campaign and must prevent its resources from being used in any way that could appear to support a political candidate. If any student club or organization activity may be perceived as partisan, the student club and organization must have its promotional materials for such activity first approved by the Dean of Students to ensure that any
necessary disclaimers are included. Additional resources can be found at: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-07-41.pdf
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