Wheaton College is committed to the free and open discussion of ideas and opinions, including those about politics and the political process. The College encourages all members of its community – students, faculty, and staff – to exercise their civil rights to participate as individuals or as collectives in the political process.

As a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, however, the College is prohibited by federal law from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office. Moreover, the College is prohibited from making contributions to political campaign funds or from making public statements of position (verbal or written) in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office. This means that no College department or unit and no Wheaton employee speaking on behalf of the College may advocate for or against a candidate for elective public office or use any College resources to do so. Violation of these prohibitions set by federal law can jeopardize the College’s tax-exempt status and may result in the imposition of significant fines and/or taxes.

The purpose of this policy is to preserve and advance the mission and values of the College in a manner that complies with federal laws and regulations. This policy is not intended to abridge academic freedom, freedom of expression, or imply that individuals may not exercise their individual constitutional, political, and civic rights.

This policy provides general guidance for employees (faculty and staff) and student organizations regarding how they may engage in the political process as individuals or as members of a collective that does not put the College’s tax-exempt status at risk. Because student organizations are not authorized to speak on behalf of the College, there are differences between the rules that apply to employees and the rules that apply to student organizations.

If any member of the Wheaton community has any questions about what is and what is not permitted, they should contact the Office of Legal Affairs, at [email protected] or 508-286-3643.

Guidance for Wheaton College Employees

The College encourages all eligible Wheaton College employees to vote in elections.

Employees may not engage in political activities on campus. This does not prevent employees from attending an event hosted by the College or a student organization that has been approved under this policy.

Employees are free to express their individual views provided such activity takes place off campus and outside of work hours. In expressing their individual views, employees must make clear that they are speaking as individuals, they are expressing their own views, and they are not speaking for or on behalf of the College.

Employees may not use College resources for political activities. College resources include, but are not limited to: College funds; images of the College; any College mark or derivative mark; College property; College mail, email, voicemail systems, Zoom account; College websites; College print and digital publications; office equipment such as computers, phones, copies, and office supplies; and College social media accounts.

Employees should only use personal email, social media, or other online accounts (and not wheatoncollege.edu accounts or other Wheaton electronic resources or devices) for distributing political messages and/or for participating in political meetings, events, or fundraisers.

Candidate campaigning/fundraising on College property by employees is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, posting or distributing political posters, fliers, or leaflets, or transmission of materials over the Internet. This applies to all College employees and to all College entities, including student organizations, that are supported in whole or in part by College funds. This does not prevent student political organizations from existing; it simply means that they cannot campaign/fundraise for a particular candidate.

Employees (including student employees while they are working) may not display political posters, fliers, leaflets, clothing, or other accessories (for example, candidate pins) that advocate for a candidate during College classes or meetings or in offices, whether such meetings occur in person or virtually.

Campaign paraphernalia may not be sold, distributed, or made available on campus by any College employee or any College entity that is supported in whole or in part by College funds.

Guidance for Wheaton College Student Organizations

The College encourages all eligible Wheaton College students to vote in elections.

No student organization has the authority to represent the views of the College. While student organizations are permitted to invite candidates to campus for the purpose of educating voters about the candidate’s positions, student organizations may not invite candidates on campus to conduct campaign rallies or for fundraising purposes. Student organizations may not use campus facilities or resources, including the campus mail service, campus email, campus mailing lists, College-provided office supplies, computers, telephones, and facsimile machines to solicit votes or fundraise for campaigns.

When a student organization wants to invite a candidate to campus for an educational event, they must receive the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs. Any such appearance must be for an educational or informational discussion, forum, or for a political debate. Any such appearance must also abide by the following:

  • There may be no political candidate campaigning/fundraising of any kind, including by student organizations;
  • Traditional political rallies are prohibited and no banners, placards, or other signage typically found at political rallies are permitted at the event;
  • The invited speaker will be introduced by a College representative (which could be a student leader of a student organization) and that representative will state that the College neither supports nor opposes the candidate;
  • Only invited speakers who have been approved to speak may speak at the event; and,
  • If a candidate is invited to speak on campus, the College must allow equal opportunity to all candidates for that particular office to speak on campus.

When a student organization hosts, sponsors, or publicizes an event (on or off campus) for a political campaign or party, the student organization must give a disclaimer that: (1) the use of College facilities or resources does not constitute an endorsement by the College; (2) the views of any invited speaker are the speaker’s and not the College’s; and, (3) the College does not endorse or oppose any candidate or organization in connection with this or any other political campaign or election.

Campaign paraphernalia may not be sold, distributed, or made available on campus by any student organization.

Candidates may be invited to appear on campus in a non-candidate capacity, e.g., to participate in a class or to speak as an alumnus/a, provided that no campaigning or fundraising is done at the event and provided that a non-partisan atmosphere is maintained.

Guidance Regarding Voter Education and Registration Activities

Voter education and registration activities are encouraged and allowed on campus so long as such activities are conducted in a non-partisan manner.