Political Campaign Activities in University Residence Halls and Housing Facilities

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Policy Number:
UW-6014
Responsible Office:
University Housing

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Pursuant to Wis. Admin. Code § UWS 18.11(9), individuals and organizations are permitted to engage in political campaigning and the distribution of political literature in UW-Madison University Housing facilities as provided by the rules below.

Definitions:
Political Campaigning and Distribution of Political Literature (Campaigning)
For purposes of this policy, political campaigning and distribution of political literature (hereinafter, “campaigning”) means advocacy and education directly related one of the following in an upcoming Associated Students of Madison (ASM), municipal, state, or national election:
  • Voter registration or voting in the election;
  • A candidate registered to appear on the ballot in the election; or
  • A referendum question registered to appear on the ballot in the election.
Scope:

Individuals or organizations that wish to engage in political campaigning in university residence halls and dining facilities.

Policy:
  1. Tabling
    1. Locations
      1. Tabling campaigning is permitted only in the designated areas of Carson Gulley Center, Chadbourne Residence Hall, Dejope Residence Hall, Gordon Dining and Event Center, Frank Holt Center, Lowell Center, Ogg Residence Hall, Sellery Residence Hall, Smith Residence Hall, Waters Residence Hall, Witte Residence Hall only when the University Housing facility is in use and occupied by students during the academic year and only during the following hours: 9:00 AM-7:00 PM (Monday-Friday).
      2. The following residence hall buildings do not have the type of space that permits tabling campaigning activity, due to direct access to resident rooms: Adams Residence Hall, Barnard Residence Hall, Bradley Residence Hall, Cole Residence Hall, Humphrey Residence Hall, Jorns Residence Hall, Kronshage Residence Hall, Leopold Residence Hall, Merit Residence Hall, Phillips Residence Hall, Sullivan Residence Hall, and Tripp Residence Hall. Carson Gulley Center, Dejope Residence Hall, and Holt Residence Hall can serve as tabling campaigning spaces for the buildings that do not have good in-building space.
    2. Registration
      1. Individuals or organizations wishing to engage in tabling campaigning activity must register with University Housing at least two business days in advance of each campaigning event.
      2. Advance University Housing approval of registration requests is required, and it will not be granted if the requested space has already been reserved by another party at the time of request.
      3. University Housing may require certain information about the registrants and the contemplated campaigning activity, but shall not on the basis of viewpoint, or unreasonably otherwise, withhold approval.
      4. In addition to the other requirements herein, any campaigning individual who is not a current UW-Madison student must be physically accompanied in the University Housing facility at all times by a current UW-Madison student, secured by the campaigning entity, who has not otherwise been prohibited from entering the residence hall and agrees to take responsibility for the activity’s adherence to all applicable rules. This provision does not apply in any context in which the non-UW-Madison student would otherwise be permitted to be unaccompanied in the University Housing facility.
      5. Upon arrival at a residence hall for campaigning, a registrant must check in by:
        1. Checking in with the staff at the hall desk listed in their confirmation email;
        2. Must show a valid photo ID that matches the registration;
        3. Must wear University Housing provided name tag during campaigning activities.
  2. Prohibited Activities
    1. Door-to-door campaigning and other entry into residence hall living areas by individuals engaged in campaigning is prohibited. This prohibition includes the placement of political literature on or under residents’ room doors.
    2. Campaigning activity may include the distribution of political literature in the designated tabling area, but may not occupy ingress/egress space or otherwise interfere with normal student housing and dining operations. It may not include the use of music or amplified sound (i.e. megaphones, microphones, etc.) or the disruption of traffic flow.
    3. Posting of political literature, other than within the designated tabling area for the duration of the campaigning event, is prohibited except to the extent that the posting act at issue would be allowed generally by University Housing posting policy.
  3. Residents and Resident-Invited Guests
    1. Notwithstanding the above provisions, residents of a residence hall, as well as resident-invited guests, may communicate in their residence halls about political matters with as much freedom as residents and resident-invited guests, respectively, are permitted to communicate generally under applicable University Housing rules.
    2. All residents and resident-invited guests must abide by any University Housing rules allowing other residents to opt out of disturbances to their dwelling unit doors.
  4. Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to violate any student’s rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
  5. For any residence hall that serves as a polling place during an election, State laws concerning campaigning supersede this policy during such election.
  6. Consequences for Noncompliance
    1. For all individuals and organizations:
      1. Immediate termination of the campaign activity;
      2. Revocation of future access to residence halls for campaign purposes.
    2. For UW-Madison students (for their own conduct or the conduct of non-resident individuals for whom they are responsible):
      1. Referral to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for student conduct proceedings under Wis. Admin. Code § UWS 17;
      2. As appropriate, action under University Housing Rules and Expectations and University Residence Halls Contract for Housing and Dining Service contract provisions.
    3. For non-UW-Madison-affiliated individuals:
      1. Removal from the residence hall and/or campus under Wis. Admin. Code § UWS 18.11 (6) and (7).
      2. As appropriate, civil forfeitures under Wis. Admin. Code § UWS 18.13.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Policy Manager:
Director of Residence Life
Contact:
Director of Residence Life -- Sarah Oleksy, sarah.oleksy@housing.wisc.edu, (608) 262-4456
Effective Date:
03-20-2026
Date Issued:
03-20-2026
Retrieved:
03-24-2026 15:42:34