Appropriate Classroom Conduct During Highly-Charged Political Times

Greetings to all Faculty:

Questions have surfaced about the parameters for appropriate classroom conduct during these highly-charged political times. I extend this message to you to address that question generally.

For now, here is our guidance:
What you do on your own time is largely your business. The College is only concerned with what you do in your capacity as employees of the College and then especially during your instructional time.

Our Code of Ethics Policy (No. 403) addresses this issue as follows:
Individual College employees may engage in lawful political activities. However, such activity, like any other personal, non-official undertaking, must be done on the employee’s own time, must not interfere with College duties, and must not involve the use of district resources for partisan political activities.

This policy provision is designed to protect, in fact and in appearance, the College’s non-partisan independent tax-exempt status. In addition, the policy reserves College resources for College business and protects against conflicts of interest that may infringe on the ability of College personnel to perform their official duties and responsibilities with our customary effectiveness and objectivity.

You have the right, as a citizen, to engage in political activity so long as such activity does not occur while you are performing your instructional-related responsibilities. You may wear political buttons of reasonable size and number as an expression of your personal political views provided the message does not cause disruption of the educational program or otherwise interfere with your job duties.

Classrooms and classroom time should not be used as a platform for advocacy of a political candidate or point of view. Of course, election information and discussions of related issues may be integrated, where appropriate, into relevant classroom curriculum. Instructional materials and discussions should provide a balanced review of many perspectives on an issue.

Faculty members have a special professional relationship with their students. It is a relationship grounded in trust and respect. It is important that we do no harm to this professional relationship while advocating for specific candidates or issues. It is important to encourage our students to vote and to make their own informed choices.

College property, supplies, equipment and systems may not be used in connection with any type of political campaigning. This includes our phones, computers, photocopiers, fax machines and other school equipment.

The upcoming recall drives and the following elections are important to all the citizens of this state. I hope this memo helps you make decisions about work and political activities.

If you have any questions as to what may be appropriate, please feel free to tswebb[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (contact me).

Thank you for your cooperation.

Terry Webb
Provost