Earlier this semester, Madison College faculty and staff received guidance from the college on appropriate political speech and behavior in the educational setting.
Provost Dr. Beth Giles and Executive Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Casper emailed employees clarifying the bounds of what is considered appropriate political speech when interacting with students. In an interview with Casper, he affirmed the free speech rights of the employees while setting a standard for behavior.
“They too have free speech rights,” he said, adding that they have the right to wear a button that says, I support candidate A or candidate B or cause A or Cause C. “But again, they’re not to use their time in the classroom to advocate for perspectives or candidates of their choosing.”
Casper acknowledged that there are classes where discussions of this nature may occur and might even be par for the course, such as in political science classes. But it is the expectation that these discussions fit into the “context of the curriculum and learning objectives for that course.”
Discussions about the topics that are applicable to the courses being taught are welcome, Casper said. Employees directly endorsing a candidate, ideal or stance on an issue to students is inappropriate. He said students are on campus to receive an education, not a political message.
In the message they sent to college staff, Casper and Giles reminded staff that: “The use of district resources for partisan political activities should be refrained. College property, supplies, equipment and systems may not be used in connection with any type of political campaigning.”
Instructors were reminded that they should be conscious of what is “viewable” to students if teaching from home. “Political messages that are ‘viewable’ to students should not cause disruption of the educational program or service or otherwise interfere with your job duties,” the email said.
Students have a different role on campus. Students may enjoy groups on campus that participate in political activity or discussions. The same limitation that no college owned property may be used to support one candidate, or another is applied to students.
But student organizations may invite candidates to come and speak to individuals in their group or sponsor a politically affiliated event on campus, if they follow room reservation guidelines, and the event does not disrupt the educational environment.
Groups outside the college are also allowed to engage with students on campus. They must reserve a space where they may ask for support or any other college sanctioned action. Groups or individuals may not just approach students at random and ask to sign a petition, give an opinion or take a promotional item.
In these cases, Casper said, “we work with public safety and ask those people to excuse themselves from the campus if they do not have those permits. They may use the public sidewalks, because those are public spaces to inquire of students or other passersby.”
Casper had some advice for students going into the election season. He said they should know how to obtain accurate information about the candidates and issues that matter to you. Misinformation and disinformation are important issues. The library staff and college faculty and staff are great resources, Casper said.