POLICY

It is the policy of Western Oregon University to allow campus community members
to generally express their personal political views.  This guideline extends 
that philosophy wherever it is appropriate.  The overriding consideration in 
handling this issue is the use of plain common sense.

    PURPOSE

During each election year, just before the election, questions arise with 
respect to permissible political activity members of the campus community.
This information is intended to serve as a guideline for appropriate conduct 
relating to political activity as it is in compliance with applicable law.

    PROCEDURES

Guidelines for Employee Activity:

Employees may engage in personal communication on their own time.

Incidental work area discussions of political subjects should not be 
encouraged, but should only be prohibited to the extent that they impede 
the work of the agency or employee.  Otherwise, such discussions should 
be treated just as other non-work-related discussions are treated.

Managers who are asked to publicly discuss ballot measures in their official 
capacities (e.g., in an informational public forum) may do so only to the
extent that the information they provide is purely factual.  They must avoid 
taking positions in the official capacity.  However, they may, to the extent 
factually possible, address the effect of a measure on existing or future 
programs.

Written Political Communication -

Employees may distribute flyers and leaflets on their own time.  This is 
permitted as long as the material is clearly labeled as other than state-
sponsored.

Union material for distribution in the workplace should be placed on a 
table made available by management and should not be distributed on the 
desk of each employee.  This material must be clearly labeled as other 
than state-sponsored.  Leafleting outside state buildings by individuals not 
on state time is permissible.

NOTE:  Public employees do have the right to express personal political 
views but this is not an unlimited right.

Materials in the Work Area - 

Employees may post political material in their PRIVATE work areas.  
However, for those areas with heavy foot traffic or open to public view, 
employees may not post materials reflecting their political views.

Political buttons are permitted, however, not on state-provided uniforms.

NOTE:  Expression should be done in such a way as to avoid the 
likelihood that an observer would believe that the employee is conducting 
political activities while on the job during working hours.

Meetings -

No political meetings may be held on work time.  No state sponsorship 
can be inferred even though a meeting may be held in a state facility. Due 
to union contracts, union meetings are permitted in state facilities.  
However, the meetings are held by the union, not by the state.  The state 
should not attempt to regulate the content of the union's meetings even if 
they so choose to have political candidates speak.  These meetings 
should not be open to the public or non-union employees since they are 
union meetings.

Politically themed, non-union meetings are also permitted pursuant to 
statutes and rules cited on building usage.  If no meeting is regularly 
allowed in the facility, the fact that the meeting will have a political 
theme does not change the general rule.

Bulletin Boards -

Posting of political material may only be done on clearly marked union 
boards.

    AUTHORITY

Authority for this policy is granted in Article 1, Section 8 of the Oregon
Constitution, ORS 260.432(2), ORS 243.650-243.782 (PECBA), ORS 276.095(4) &
276.440, and the Federal Hatch Act, 5 USC 1501-1508.

    APPROVAL

The President's Office