Use of UW System facilities for Political Purposes
The use of campus facilities by a candidate for a political event is governed by UWS 21.04* of the administrative code. www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/uws. Under this section, the use of University facilities by any person or organization not associated with a UW institution is permitted only if:
- the person or organization is sponsored or invited by an entity associated with the institution;
- the event does not detract from the mission of the institution and/or interferes with the use of the UW facilities by campus groups;
- appropriate facilities are available; and
- the person or organization covers the cost of using the facility. In addition, the chancellor of each institution is responsible for setting fee schedules, procedures for securing permission and other limitations on availability and use of facilities.
Fundraising Prohibited
Fundraisers for a candidate for political office cannot be sponsored by an institution or held at a University facility. State statutes [s. 11.36 (3) and (4)] www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/stats.html strictly prohibit individuals from entering state-owned buildings for the purpose of making or receiving a contribution.
The State Elections Board has ruled, however, that university-owned student residences, dormitories, dining halls and lounges are considered the residence of a student and are not subject to this restriction. A fundraiser sponsored by a student organization and held in a residence hall lounge, therefore, is permissible.
*UWS 21.04 Use of facilities by persons or organizations not associated with an Institution.
- The chancellor of each institution, or his or her designee, may permit persons, or organizations not associated with that institution, to use university facilities at his or her institution if he or she determines that:
- The proposed use is under the sponsorship or at the invitation of an organization associated with the institution;
- The proposed use will not interfere with or detract from the teaching, research and public service missions of the institution, or the use of the facilities by organizations associated with the institution;
- The institution has appropriate facilities available for the proposed use; and
- The person or organization has complied with institutional procedures adopted under s. UWS 21.06.
- Persons or organizations using university facilities under this section must reimburse the institutions for the costs, if any, incident to the use of the facilities.
- Persons or organizations using university facilities under this section may be required to pay rental charges for use of facilities if the use is revenue producing.