Policies + Procedures — Governance + Compliance — Facility Use: Political Activities

1.30 Facility Use – Elected Officials & Political Activities

I. Purpose

To establish guidelines for inviting elected officials to the College, the use of College facilities by elected officials for constituent services, the use of College facilities for non-partisan and partisan political events, and College-sponsored voter registration activities.

II. Scope

This policy applies to elected officials of all levels of government, candidates for elected office and their representatives, non-partisan individuals and organizations engaged in political activities, political parties and partisan individuals and organizations, and College employees, students, and organizations.

III. General

Bucks County Community College (BCCC) is committed to the principle of free expression, including the exchange of political viewpoints and ideas, for all members of the community. BCCC encourages students and employees to fully participate in their rights of citizenship, including exercising the right to vote, campaign, and otherwise engage in the political life of our community, state and nation. Nothing in this Policy is intended to limit the rights of students or employees to express personal opinions or engage in political activity in their individual capacities and as private citizens.

However, certain types of politically related activities by BCCC or by BCCC employees, in their official capacities, are incompatible with BCCC’s tax-exempt status under the law. This Policy outlines procedures and describes limitations on BCCC’s involvement and the use of BCCC facilities and resources for political activities.

IV. Procedures

Procedures for inviting elected officials to campus, the use of College facilities by elected officials for constituent services, the use of College facilities for non-partisan and partisan political activities, and College-sponsored voter registration activities are outlined below.

A. Inviting Elected Officials and Individuals in their Non-Candidate Capacity

Elected officials are public servants and important members of our community who are often invited by BCCC employees or students as experts to serve as speakers or panelists. Such activity, which is important for the life of the College and the education of students, is encouraged. Such invitations are not to be extended to elected officials in their roles as candidates for office, to currently unelected individuals campaigning for office, or to representatives or spokespeople on behalf of candidates for office. For such visits, a non-partisan atmosphere should be maintained and the individual must only speak in their non-candidate capacity and make no reference to an election. Communications regarding the event should indicate the capacity in which the individual is appearing and should not mention the individual’s candidacy or the election.

Approval to invite elected officials is granted by the President. The request must include a complete description of the event or visit, including its purpose, audience, and location. Approval for such visits should be sought at least 7 days prior to the visit.

B. Use of College Facilities for Constituent Services

Elected officials are welcome to use BCCC’s facilities for constituent services and events such as community forums, connecting constituents with government officials and/or with services, educational programming, and so forth. Scheduling such events shall be in accordance with this and all other applicable BCCC policies.

Approval to use College facilities for constituent services is granted by the President.

C. Use of College Facilities for Non-Partisan Political Activities and Events

BCCC facilities may be rented or made available for certain non-partisan political activities and events subject to the following terms:

Policies. BCCC facilities made available for non-partisan political events will be in accordance with this and all other applicable BCCC policies.
Application. Applications to hold non-partisan political events on a BCCC campus must be made via BCCC’s facilities rental procedures.
Format. A non-partisan political event must be in the format of an issues forum or debate, question-and-answer session, or similar communications in an academic setting; such events cannot be conducted as a campaign rally or similar event. All legally qualified candidates for a political office must be invited to participate on an equal basis with such limitations as may be appropriate after consultation with the President. Receptions and other social activities associated with such an event must include all candidates who were invited to participate in the event.
Restrictions.
- BCCC’s name, logo, or identification will not be used in conjunction with any political campaign literature, collateral materials, or paraphernalia.
- No partisan posters, handbills, campaign signs or paraphernalia may be posted on any campus surfaces relating to such visits.
- No admission fee may be charged for such events.
- No political fundraising activities may be conducted at such events.
Expenses. Such events will be held at no cost to BCCC. The non-partisan political event sponsor shall pay all costs and expenses, including facility charges and ancillary service costs associated with the event, including but not limited to insurance, custodial, parking, equipment setup and operation, security, appropriate licensing fees and royalties (e.g. for music), and so forth.
Publicity. All promotional material for non-partisan political events must include clear and prominent statements indicating that BCCC and BCCC officials do not endorse any political candidate or any position of a political candidate. Subject to this restriction, BCCC may—at the discretion of the President—publicize the event in any appropriate manner and encourage or arrange for coverage by media organizations, including BCCC media.

Approval to use College facilities for non-partisan political activities and events is granted by the President. Approval for these events must be sought at least 30 days prior to the event. The request must include a complete description of the event or visit, including its purpose, intended audience, and the expected number of people who may be visiting the campus.

D. Use of College Facilities for Partisan Political Activities and Events

BCCC facilities, both indoor and outdoor, may be rented for certain partisan political activities and events subject to the following terms:

Policies. BCCC facilities made available for partisan political events will be in accordance with this and all other applicable BCCC policies.
Application. Applications to hold partisan political events on a BCCC campus must be made via BCCC’s facilities rental procedures.
Restrictions.
- BCCC’s name, logo, or identification will not be used in conjunction with any political campaign literature, collateral materials, or paraphernalia.
- No partisan posters, handbills, campaign signs or paraphernalia may be posted on any campus surfaces relating to such visits.
- No college resources, including personnel, materials or equipment will be used to support political events unless the customary expenses for such are reimbursed to the College.
Expenses. Such events will be held at no cost to BCCC. The partisan political event sponsor shall pay all costs and expenses, including facility charges and ancillary service costs associated with the event, including but not limited to insurance, custodial, parking, equipment setup and operation, security, appropriate licensing fees and royalties (e.g. for music), and so forth.
Publicity. All promotional material for partisan political events must include clear and prominent statements indicating that BCCC and BCCC officials do not endorse any political candidate or any position of a political candidate. BCCC will not publicize partisan political events and will not encourage or arrange for coverage by media organizations, including BCCC media.

Approval to use College facilities for partisan political activities and events is granted by the Board of Trustees. Approval for these events must be sought at least 30 days prior to the event. The request must include a complete description of the event or visit, including its purpose, intended audience, expected number of attendees, and the security plan to ensure the safety of all attendees, members of the College community, members of the surrounding community, and the security of College facilities.

E. Voter Registration Activities and Events

BCCC will host voter registration activities and events during both the fall and spring semester of each academic year.

Date, Time, Location. Voter registration activities will take place on dates, at times, and in areas designated by college administration on each campus.
Equipment. Tables will be provided for officially recognized political parties as well as for non-partisan organizations by request.
Restrictions. No political candidate may be present and/or campaign during voter registration activities. No non-candidate may campaign on behalf of any candidate during voter registration.
Publicity. The College will publicize voter registration events through its internal student communication systems.

Approval to participate in voter registration activities and events is granted by the Office of Student Life.