Political Involvement and Campaign Activity Policy

Purpose 

Wheaton College affirms student and student group involvement in civic life as an expression of faithful Christian discipleship. This policy provides guidance on political expression and campaign activity in accordance with the Wheaton College Community Covenant and its legal status as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt institution under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

General Principles 

• Students and recognized student groups may engage in political discourse and participate in lawful campaign activities on and off campus, including support for political candidates, causes, and legislation.

• Political activities must be person-specific or group-based and must not give the impression of institutional endorsement or sponsorship by Wheaton College.

• The College maintains non-partisan status and may not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

Guidelines for Individual Students 

Students may:

• Express personal political views as private citizens or as members of student groups, provided they clearly indicate that they are not speaking on behalf of the College.

• Display political messages, signs, and symbols within the interior of their personal living spaces and on personal property, consistent with the Residence Life Room Care Policy.

• Engage in lawful, peaceful political activity off campus as individual citizens.

Students may not:

• Promote or endorse political causes or candidates in a manner that violates the College’s Community Covenant.

• Display political messages in community-facing areas, such as:

• Residence hall windows, doors, and porches,

• Exterior building walls, and

• Campus lawns or public common areas.

Guidelines for Recognized Student Groups 

Student groups may:

• Host political rallies, forums, and debates involving Wheaton students, faculty, and staff.

• Use campus facilities during the three months prior to an election to host public forums only if at least the two leading candidates from each party in a general election are invited and given equal access to speak.

• Distribute campaign literature and paraphernalia in the Beamer Student Center only.

• Promote voter education and registration on campus.

• Campaign for and endorse political candidates, legislation, or causes as a student group, not on behalf of Wheaton College.

• Include politically related links on their Wheaton-hosted webpage, provided these include all major parties or candidates and are consistent with 501(c)(3) requirements.

• Conduct opinion polling on campus.

• Publish political views in The Record, clearly stating that such views are those of the student group or author(s), not the College.

• Use their allocated group funds to support approved activities under this policy.

Student groups may not:

• Solicit campaign donations, sell campaign merchandise, or make monetary or material contributions to candidates or political parties.

• Use College resources (e.g., email systems, mailing lists, vehicles, facilities) to support partisan political efforts.

• Invite or allow non-Wheaton students to use campus resources for campaign activities.

• Violate any other campus policies, including the Posters, Promotions, and Announcements Policy and the Room Reservations and Campus Scheduling Procedures (in the Student Involvement Programming Guide).

• Endorse or promote political causes that violate the Community Covenant.

• Claim to speak for or represent Wheaton College in any political context.

Guest Speakers and Public Officials 

• Student groups must submit a Visiting Speaker Application before inviting

• A current elected official not campaigning for office or

• A political candidate actively campaigning for public office.

• When inviting actively campaigning candidates within three months of an election, groups must

• Extend invitations to at least two leading candidates (per polling or party status) for a given office and

• Ensure equal access and opportunity for all invited candidates.

Compliance and Questions 

Student groups and individuals are responsible for knowing and adhering to this policy. The Student Engagement Office and General Counsel’s Office are available for consultation regarding political activity and legal compliance.

For questions or guidance, contact the Student Engagement Office at student.engagement@wheaton.edu.