Johnson County Community College (“JCCC” or the “College”) is publicly funded and tax exempt; therefore, Kansas state and federal laws and JCCC policies place restrictions on political activity at JCCC. The College may not support or endorse a candidate for public office or an election issue. Students, faculty, and staff may engage freely in comment on political issues or public policy as individual citizens, provided they clearly identify that the opinions expressed are their own and do not represent the official position of JCCC.
The following statement applies to political activity at the College by the campus community, including personnel, student organizations, and others. Additional information can be found in the Political Activities Policy 427.01 for College personnel, the Expressive Activity Operating Procedure 217.03 for the campus community, and the JCCC Trustee Candidate Guidelines for Board of Trustee candidates. Student organizations with additional questions should contact the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development at (913) 469-3410.
I. College ResourcesCollege resources (including College computing and information technology resources or email) may not be used for partisan electoral purposes such as solicitation of funds or other contributions in support of a political party or candidates for public office, for endorsement of candidates for public office, or for advocating a position with regard to a public issue.
A. Intellectual Property. Use of JCCC’s name, letterhead, logos, or copyrighted photographs for partisan electoral purposes in support of candidates for public office or a public issue (other than by an authorized spokesperson on behalf of the College) is strictly prohibited. Questions regarding use should be directed to Strategic Communications and Marketing at (913) 469-7623.
B. Facilities. JCCC facilities may not be used for political fundraising events for candidates for public office or political parties, nor may candidates be invited to participate in campus events (such as a commencement ceremony or building dedications) during an election year when other candidates running against them would be excluded.
JCCC facilities may be made available to the community for the purpose of holding political meetings, provided there is no interference with regularly scheduled functions, there is not otherwise available a reasonable facility in the community, students are permitted to hear the speakers without charge, and sponsors pay in advance the regular fees for use of the facilities (including technical support in the performance spaces, food ordered from JCCC’s Dining Services, and overtime labor and setup costs if the event takes place outside of normal working hours). All JCCC facility rentals are subject to guidelines, requirements and restrictions administered by the JCCC Scheduling Office. To inquire about JCCC facilities, call the JCCC Scheduling Office at (913) 469-4423.
C. Personnel Time. College personnel enjoy the rights and privileges of any free citizen in matters of a political nature but may not use time for which College pay is received for the purpose of solicitation, promotion, election, or defeat of any candidate for public office or of passage or defeat of any election issue.
II. Candidates on Campus
A. Campus Visits. All political candidates are provided with the same opportunities and restrictions when visiting the College. Candidates who come to campus must balance the desire to reach potential voters against students’ ability to pursue their studies without distraction and must comply with all Office of Student Life and Leadership Development requirements and College policies.
Depending on the College calendar and the event schedule, the College may invite all candidates for a public office (or candidates’ representatives) to come to campus on the same day right before a November election. During an election cycle, the College will extend any invitations to participate in JCCC events (such as a commencement ceremony or building dedications) with a sense of balance and fairness to the election process. Political office holders and candidates will not be introduced or recognized on campus unless they are attending a formal campus event.
B. Tables. Candidates wishing to talk with students, faculty, and staff during a campaign may request to have a table in the public area of the Commons building. Each candidate may have a table for one day only during the campaign. To make arrangements for a table, call the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development, (913) 469-3410.
C. Literature Distribution. Literature distribution should follow the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development requirements and College policies. Candidates may distribute campaign material in the public areas on campus — namely the Food Court and cafeteria in the Commons, the first floor of the Student Center, and the exterior central courtyard. Candidates may not distribute literature in areas where students work with Student Services or Learner Engagement personnel, such as the Success Center, or areas where students are involved in educational activities, such as classrooms, the library, or computer labs. Placing notices in or on parked cars in campus parking lots is prohibited. Contact the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development, (913) 469-3410, for more information.
D. Classrooms. Candidates for public office may be invited to visit a class or organization to make a presentation, but candidates should do so with the understanding that they are not to campaign during the visit and should be cognizant of and committed to the need for neutrality and fairness. JCCC personnel must uphold neutrality and fairness when seeking classroom visitors and remain cognizant that they prohibited by law and JCCC policies from using work time or JCCC resources to advocate for or against any candidate for public office.