Catalog of Sample Policies for Pennsylvania's Conservation Districts

Political Activity Policy
(Troy State University)

The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the Board) hereby reaffirms its historic position that the institution shall neither endorse nor support any candidate for nomination or election to any public office of the State of Alabama or any other political entity.

Employees of the System do not surrender their civil and political rights and responsibilities, however, by virtue of their employment. Indeed, the Board encourages the officials and employees of the System to fulfill their civic responsibilities as private citizens. But the Board shall continue to require that, consistent with state law, no System employee shall use System resources, time, or property for or on behalf of any political candidate, campaign, or organization, or for any contribution or solicitation of any contribution to a political campaign or organization. (Nothing in this rule is intended to discourage the impartial use of System facilities as a public forum.)

The Board recognizes that it is often difficult for the public to distinguish between the public and private activities of System employees, particularly when these employees occupy senior administrative positions within the institution. For this reason and because the System is a public institution, the Board wishes to guard against actions that are illegal and improper as well as those that may create the appearance of impropriety. It is incumbent upon employees of the System to make clear in any political activity whatsoever that they are acting in a private and individual capacity and that their activities have neither System sponsorship nor support.

It is also incumbent upon employees of the System to avoid any private actions of a collective nature that may lend or appear to lend the support of the System to political activity. Because of their prominent identification with the institution, the major administrative officers of the System have a particularly heavy obligation to insure that their activities are not misinterpreted or misunderstood. No System employee may seek or hold public office without first obtaining written consent from the Chancellor through appropriate reporting channels.