Policies

Policies regarding contact with elected officials, political activities of university faculty and staff, and political meetings can be found in the Academic Handbook. For more information on the policies and disclosure forms view http://www.gov.indiana.edu/policies/index.shtml or http://www.gov.indiana.edu/policies/lobbying/index.shtml.

Indiana University also has policies that prohibit technology resources from being used in a manner that violates the law, for private commercial activities that are not approved by the university, for personal private gain, or for political campaigning and similar activities that are inconsistent with the university's tax-exempt status. For a full copy of these policies view: http://informationpolicy.iu.edu/policies/IT01.shtml.

As a public institution, IUPUI must also comply with federal and state requirements for the disclosure of lobbying activity of federal officials, political campaign activity, and voter registration activity.

Should you have any questions, please call: 317-274-7400

Jennifer Boehm, IUPUI Director of Community and Government Relations
Amy Conrad Warner, IUPUI Vice Chancellor for External Affairs

Lobbying Disclosure

There are two sections of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act which require IUPUI to report contact with legislative and executive branch officials. First, any member of the university must report any contact with covered officials on behalf of the university. Quarterly contact reports must be submitted through Indiana University’s Office of Federal Relations. Second, lobbyists and lobbyist employers are required to file semi-annual reports detailing political contributions, donations, and other expenditures made to or for the benefit of, covered legislative and executive branch officials. This includes events named for, or recognitions given to, Members of Congress.

For more information on the policies and disclosure forms view http://www.gov.indiana.edu/federal/lobbying/policy.shtml.

Political Campaign Activity

In addition to the policies in the academic handbook, guidelines have been established to protect the institution’s tax exempt status and comply with Internal Revenue Service code. Intervention in political campaigning at the local, state or federal level puts the university’s tax exempt status at risk. The following guidelines have been established to insure compliance with the IRS code while preserving our civic responsibilities to promote engagement.

University/Campus Sponsored Invitations and Events:

• All legally-qualified candidates or their representatives must be given an opportunity to appear either at the same event or at a comparable event within a comparable time period. (If candidates decline, retain documentation.)
• Introductions of candidates or representatives must be neutral not indicating any support or opposition.
• No campaign fundraising may occur.
• Appropriate steps must be taken to avoid the appearance of institutional endorsement of or opposition to any candidate.

Student Organization Sponsored Invitations and Events:

• Invitations and events must be sponsored by student organizations authorized/recognized in compliance with normal campus policies.
• Facility rental charges depend upon the nature of the event. If it is a campus community event and is not open to the general public, then the normal fees assessed to recognized student groups for facility rental and usage fees can be applied. However, if the event is open to the general public, a facility rental and usage fees must be charged.
• No campaign fundraising may occur.
• Appropriate steps must be taken to avoid the appearance of institutional endorsement of or opposition to any candidate.

External Group Sponsored Invitations and Events:

• Candidates, Campaign Organizations, and other external groups may request space on the campus to host political events which may be either limited audience or general public events.
• Normal charges assessed to outside groups renting space shall apply with no discounts, preferential scheduling, or other gratuities (security, sound systems, parking, etc) extended to the sponsoring individual or organization.
• If facilities are made available to one candidate or political party, the same must be made available to all others on equal terms and conditions, which include any limitations on availability of particular facilities, due to the scheduling of other events, at the time a candidate or party makes a request.
• University or campus officials should not appear on the podium to introduce or in any other way convey the perception of support or endorsement.
• Appropriate steps must be taken to avoid the appearance of institutional endorsement of or opposition to any candidate.

Voter Registration

Voter registration forms are available online at the Indiana Secretary of State website and the Election Assistance Commission website. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download and print the form.

Registration Deadline: Applications must be postmarked (or hand delivered to your county voter registration office) no later than 29 days before the next election.

In compliance with certain federal and state requirements, IUPUI is making self-mailing voter registration forms available at: University Library, 755 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis; and the Registrar’s office, IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Boulevard, Room 250, Indianapolis.

Forms can also be obtained at:
County Voter Registration Office
Public Libraries
State License Branches
For more information visit: http://www.indianavoters.com/PublicSite/PublicMain.aspx