Date Adopted: 09/25/2006
Date Revised:
Date Last Reviewed: 01/16/2024
References: BOR Policy 1008
Issuing Office: Administration and Finance
Approved By: Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
Political campaigning and solicitation activities by non-campus organizations and/or persons may be responsibly conducted on University property subject to certain restrictions and the procedures listed below.
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for political campaigning and solicitation by non-campus organizations and/or persons on University-owned or controlled property.
Political campaigning on the University campus may not impose on the privacy of the residence halls or interruption of students, faculty, or staff in academic areas.
All political campaigners are requested to use the space between Short Center and the Student Union Building. Campaigners should notify the campus in advance by contacting the office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
Political materials may not be distributed through campus mail, the campus mail room, or residence hall mailboxes.
Political postings are limited to designated public use bulletin boards. Written political materials may be left in designated areas in the Student Union building. The ASUMW Office Manager monitors campus bulletin boards for appropriateness and timeliness of postings.
No political campaign activity may disrupt any University program or other official activity. Violation will not be tolerated and such campaigner(s) shall immediately cease activities.
With the exception of local newspaper delivery, general sales or solicitation are prohibited in residence halls. In order to guarantee the privacy of all residents, no agents or solicitors are allowed to enter the residence halls.
Solicitors should notify the campus in advance by contacting the office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
Posting of signs or other materials should be confined to designated public use bulletin boards generally available for those purposes.
Student political groups, as well as faculty and staff organizations, are free to sponsor appearances by political candidates in common areas, if they wish, provided that such appearances are cleared through the usual channels governing the use of such facilities. Candidates without a campus sponsor should contact the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance directly if they wish to make an appearance on campus.
Any such appearances are to be open to the entire student body and not controlled by a particular candidate or group’s operation. All candidates making political appearances should be aware that they and their representatives are barred from political fundraising on campus, and that their visits should be conducted as speeches with question and answer sessions and not as campaign rallies. They should also be aware that all students, faculty and staff as well as the general public are entitled to attend.
Government officials are always welcome on UMW’s campus for events that are normally a part of their official duties. If they are visiting as participants in an election campaign, they should expect to adhere to UMW’s campus policy concerning political activity. Violators of University policies and procedures will cease non-compliant activities immediately and may be asked to leave the campus.
All property of the University of Montana Western, including all of the buildings and improvements thereof, is the property of the State of Montana and is under the jurisdiction and control of the Board of Regents of Higher Education of the Montana University System. All UMW property is managed for the specific purpose of fulfilling the educational mission of UMW as a State-supported institution of higher education. Accordingly, the use of UMW property and facilities is subject to all applicable state and federal laws, Board of Regents policies, and UMW policies.
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, Facilities Services Office, ASUMW Office Manager, Dean of Students, Chancellor, Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs
