Office of General Counsel

July 23, 2026

Guidelines for Political Activity

With elections fast approaching, members of the Michigan Tech community may have questions about the extent to which University employees and students may engage in political activity, both on and off campus. 

Members of the University community have the right to fully engage in political activities using their own personal resources on their own time and on their own behalf. However, the Michigan Campaign Finance Act prohibits Michigan Tech and anyone acting on the University’s behalf from using public resources to support or oppose a candidate or to qualify, support, or oppose a ballot proposal.

In practical terms, below are a few examples of what this means for Michigan Tech faculty, staff, and students: 

• Do not use University resources, such as your office, computer, email, phone, listservs, web conferencing accounts (e.g., Zoom) or University social media accounts, logos, or vehicles, for any activity supporting or opposing a political candidate or ballot issue.
• Do not use University supplies, such as paper, postage, copiers, or printer ink, for any materials supporting or opposing a political candidate or ballot issue.
• Do not use University funds to buy tickets for, or to pay for the cost of attending, any meal, rally, testimonial, or other fundraising event designed to support or oppose a political candidate or ballot issue. 
• You may wear buttons, hats, or other clothes that advocate for a political candidate or ballot issue on campus so long as the context does not imply you are acting on behalf of the University. For example, when speaking to a group as a representative of the University (including while teaching), it is not appropriate to wear such items.
• No outdoor campaign or political yard signs are permitted on University property.
• Other posters, flags, and similar materials advocating for a political candidate or ballot issue may be displayed on campus in the same manner as nonpolitical material so long as the context does not imply University endorsement. For example, you may display such material in your own private office, but not in a public-facing office or community break room (unless, e.g., an open bulletin board is equally available for all).  
• When engaging in political activities on your own personal time, do not claim to speak for or campaign on behalf of the University and do not make statements that could lead a reasonable person to think you are doing so. You should either refrain from stating your University affiliation or, if you must include your University affiliation, include an express disclaimer stating that your affiliation is only for identification purposes and does not indicate University support for or endorsement of your statements in any manner. 
• If your academic work involves scholarly research on the effects of a ballot issue on the University, state, economy, etc., that work may continue.  

The potential penalties for violating these rules can be significant. It is a misdemeanor to knowingly violate Section 57 of Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act and you may be subject to fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment of up to one year. Further, if Michigan Tech resources are used illegally, the University could be fined $20,000 or an amount equal to the value of the resources used, whichever is greater.

If you have questions about political activities, please contact Kaitlin Henderson in the Office of General Counsel at kmlapka@mtu.edu or 906-487-1515.