Indiana University

Policies on
Politics and Government

Political Activities of Academic Personnel

The first two sections below can also be found on pages 160 and 161 in the Indiana University Academic Handbook.

Policy

The University recognizes the right of academic appointees to engage in political activities beyond those normally entailed in voting and participating in routine community, state, and national programs, provided that the participation does not prevent the full discharge of the faculty member’s academic responsibilities.

Principles and Procedures to Be Observed
  1. Academic personnel of Indiana University shall be free to participate in political activities on the national, state, or local level such as running for political office, managing political campaigns, and assuming leadership roles in political organizations, providing that the participation does not prevent full discharge of their academic obligations to the University. If such participation does prevent full discharge, the individual will be required to request a leave of absence for the period of the activity.
  2. In any such activities, the academic appointee must make clear that he or she is acting as a private citizen and is in no way representing the University.
  3. The academic appointee who proposes to engage in political activities shall be required to inform his or her departmental chairperson, the school dean, and the Dean of Faculties.
  4. Should a disagreement arise between the faculty member and any of the above administrative officers regarding the faculty member’s ability to discharge academically related obligations, the faculty member shall be entitled to appeal to the Faculty Board of Review, which shall make the final decision. Other academic appointees have other means of appeal.

(Faculty Council, May 21, 1963; Board of Trustees, June 3, 1963)

Political Campaign Invitations, Events, and Activities Guidelines

University facilities shall not be used for political rallies or for campaign purposes that would further the interests of the candidate or candidates of any one political party, except that the University may from time to time invite political candidates to speak at University convocations. In such cases, it is the policy of the University to extend invitations to the candidates of the different major parties on an equal basis. This rule is not interpreted as prohibiting groups which are open to attendance by students, faculty, and other members of Indiana University but which are not open to the general public.

(Administrative Practice)