Under specific conditions, student organizations, political parties or candidates for public office may reserve University facilities for political purposes. A political purpose includes any action taken to influence the nomination, election, or re-election of an individual to public office, or to influence the vote in a referendum. Wisconsin Statutes, Board of Regents’ regulations and UW–Madison rules all affect the ways in which University facilities may be used for political purposes.
Of primary importance is the principle that activities with political purposes may not occur in conjunction with any efforts to accomplish the University's statutory mission of instruction, research, extended training and public service.
Student organizations, political parties or candidates
* Please note, independent groups of students must have departmental sponsorship to reserve facilities.
Leaders of political parties and candidates for public office may hold public meetings on campus, if facilities are available, and subject to other procedures governing use of campus space and facilities – including but not limited to space reservation, insurance procurement, rental fees, security and related fees, parking and related fees, catering – administered by the chancellor or designee. During a primary election campaign, each recognized candidate for public office or candidate’s surrogate may hold one public meeting at a University facility. In addition, each political party may hold one public meeting at a University facility on behalf of its candidates for national office, and one public meeting on behalf of its candidates for statewide office.
During a general election campaign, each recognized candidate for public office or candidate’s surrogate may hold one public meeting at a University facility. In addition, each political party may hold one public meeting at a University facility on behalf of its candidates for national office, and one public meeting on behalf of its candidates for statewide office.
Non-public meetings, except those authorized under Section A of this policy, are not permitted in campus facilities.
State conventions of recognized political parties may also use University facilities. Members of the audience should be given a reasonable opportunity, in appropriate situations, to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
All procedures governing campus use of space and facilities for campus events – including but not limited to space reservation, insurance procurement, rental fees, security and related fees, parking and related fees, catering – must be followed.
Fundraising related to political activities in public facilities is prohibited pursuant to state law. (Wis. Stat. § 11.1207 (1) and Wis. Stat. § 11.1207 (3))
University marks and logos (including any still or video images of marks or logos) may not be used by non-University entities such as political candidates or political parties, or in connection with non-University products or services, without institutional approval from University Relations. No other department, unit, employee, or student of the University is authorized to approve or consent to the use of University marks by a non-University entity.
08-01-1978, 04-01-2004, 07-01-2005, 04-01-2016, 07-01-2016