University-recognized campus-based Student Organizations may participate in a political campaign on behalf of any Candidate for public office as long as their campus-based activities comply with University policies and procedures (including this policy on political activities at Brown), and applicable regulations, including IRS regulations. 

Brown Student Organizations created to advocate for the election of a political Candidate (i.e., Students for Candidate X) or ballot initiatives may not receive funding from the University. Other Student Organizations are also prohibited from receiving University funding, such as student activities fees, for restricted activities. These Student Organizations are also not permitted to use University facilities or resources for activities prohibited by this policy or IRS regulations. 

Distribution of campaign materials is generally prohibited on campus. However, University-recognized Student Organizations are permitted to reserve information tables for the purposes of distributing information about Candidates, provided they follow Brown’s policies and procedures for such tables, including making a reservation through the Student Activities Office. In accordance with University procedures restricting solicitation within on-campus residences, organized campaigning is not permitted in on-campus housing.

Faculty, and staff may take part in partisan political activities freely on their own time, but they must not do so in the course of their regular work and responsibilities for the University. When endorsing or opposing a Candidate for political office or taking a position on an issue for the purpose of assisting or opposing a Candidate, faculty, staff may not give the appearance that they are representing the University. 

Brown University faculty and staff may not-and must not be asked to-perform tasks related to partisan political activities during working hours. 

Faculty, and staff who hold public office are prohibited from using University funds, logos/marks, services, supplies, vehicles, inter-office mail, or a brown.edu email account when conducting political activities. Faculty and staff are prohibited from using any University resources for campaign activities.

For limitations on interacting with elected officials, see Lobbying Rules in section 3.8. For questions on running for office, see Seeking Public Office in section 3.7.

All use of University facilities and resources is subject to University policies regulating time, place, and manner of use. The following includes items that may generally not be used by any person or organization for campaign activities restricted by this policy, regardless of whether the activity is on or off campus: 

• University funds, including the Student Activities Fee, and the University’s sales tax exemption for purchase of goods and services; 
• Use of University name, logo or marks-specifically, neither the Brown University name, nor that of any University entity that is supported in part or whole by the University’s funds, nor University insignia/indicia, may appear on stationery or any other material used or intended for political purposes other than the use of Brown University to specify the location of an activity or event or, as appropriate, identifying the sponsor as a Brown chapter or collection of individuals from Brown, but not in such a way as to construe that the event is, in any way, officially endorsed or sponsored by the University; 
• Use of University title or position — such information should only be used for identification and not an indication of University endorsement; 
• Any University-sponsored campus communication tool or system, including but not limited to the phone system, University-issued cell phone and other electronic devices, University letterhead, the campus mail system, listservs, and the University’s computer and Internet network; 
• University bulk-mailing privilege and mailing lists, including the addresses of departmental offices or faculty or staff offices, and faculty, staff or student e-mail addresses; 
• University-provided office supplies, computers, telephones, facsimile machines, copiers or other equipment (however, use of pay-per-use services, such as the campus copying service, may be used as long as the funds to pay for such use are not University funds); 
• Film or other image capture (video, livestream and photographs) of classrooms, residential and living spaces, dining areas, campus greens, building interiors or exteriors, and other University property for political campaign purposes; and
• University spaces for posting campaign materials, unless they are posted on public, exterior bulletin boards in accordance with University postering and publicity regulations. The sidewalks next to public streets are city property and not subject to these regulations.

Brown cannot directly or indirectly offer institutional endorsement of political Candidates, but certain nonpartisan political activities as defined below (such as properly organized voter registration activities and voter education programs, Get-Out-The-Vote, or public opinion polling), sponsored by a University department or officially recognized Student Organization may be held on campus.

Candidates for public office or their designees are welcome to appear on campus for non-campaign related activities, such as an educational or informational talk to the University community. Such appearances must be sponsored by a University department or officially recognized Student Organization and satisfy the following criteria: 

• The individual(s) is/are chosen to speak for reasons other than candidacy for public office; 
• The individual speaks in a non-candidate capacity; 
• The event format is pre-approved by the Office of Government and Community Relations (OGCR), and the publicity is pre-approved by the Office of University Communications;
• No Campaign Activity occurs in connection with the event (see definitions below);
• Any such event will be open first to the entire University community (without preference based on political affiliation) and then, if space permits, may be open to the general public (without preference based on political affiliation); and 
• The event meets any additional criteria appropriate for the particular event as determined by the University. 

Recognized Student Organizations must initiate requests for an appearance of a Candidate for public office in a non-candidate capacity through the Student Activities Office. Political campaigns and partisan organizations are not allowed to rent or reserve meeting rooms or event spaces on campus. 

In addition, the following two options exist for campaign-related appearances of Candidates and their surrogates. In both cases, fundraising is strictly prohibited, and approval must be obtained from the OGCR.

Funds or contributions for political Candidates, parties or campaigns may not be solicited in the name of Brown University, and University resources may not be used in soliciting such funds. Political fundraising activities are prohibited on campus; this includes using University-issued electronic devices, materials and facilities to make contributions to political Candidates and organizations. If Brown students, faculty or staff make political contributions, they do so as individuals and not on behalf of Brown. 

Faculty, staff, and any person or organization acting on their behalf may not solicit or accept funds or contributions for political Candidates or campaigns (their own or someone else’s) from donors identified through donor rolls or other University records or directories.

Faculty, staff, and students may decide to run for public office while at Brown. To ensure compliance with IRS regulations and University policy, including policies relating to conflict of interest and/or a conflict of commitment, a plan to manage potential conflicts must be established upon declaration of candidacy. Plans must ensure that other faculty, staff and students do not experience a compromised educational or work environment or feel pressure to comply with the political goals of Candidates. 

Faculty and staff intending to seek public office must inform their supervisor, OGCR and the Office of the Provost (for faculty) or the Vice President for Human Resources (for staff) to develop a plan to avoid conflicts of interest. This notification should be made as soon as the faculty or staff member is considering becoming a Candidate, but, in all cases, notification must be made no later than immediately upon declaring candidacy. 

Students intending to seek public office must contact the Division of Campus Life, again as early in the process as possible, but no later than the declaration of candidacy. Campus Life will then work with the student(s) and the appropriate University offices to develop an appropriate plan. 

Faculty, staff and students must also comply with federal, state and local statutes. 

Members of the Brown community may lobby government officials regarding particular issues of interest to them on their own time and may not use University resources to do so. They must first consult with OGCR if they wish to lobby government officials in their capacity as a Brown faculty member, staff person or student. If it is determined that Brown should contact a city, state, federal or international official on a particular policy matter, such efforts must be coordinated through OGCR. 

Due to federal, state and local Lobbying laws, Brown must report any Lobbying activities on behalf of Brown. Therefore, OGCR must be informed of all such activities conducted by Brown employees. Please see the below information on federal, state and city Lobbying regulations and definitions:

• (Federal) Lobbying Disclosure Act Guidance 
• (Rhode Island/State) Lobbying in Rhode Island 
• (Providence/City) Lobbyist Registration Information

• Event Policies

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• Candidate and Elected Official Management Plan

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• Lobbying Disclosure Act Guidance
• Lobbying in Rhode Island
• Lobbyist Registration Information
• Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRS)