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Engaging the Election on Campus

Policy sets guidelines for faculty, staff political activity at Duke

Talk about the 2008 election is front and center in political science grad student Brendan Nyhan's undergraduate course on "Experimental Analysis of the 2008 Election."

 

"The election provides a fascinating context for us to study how people think about politics and political information," Nyhan said. "We're currently working on an experimental study in and around Durham of how people process information about the candidates. Our ultimate goal is to publish a scholarly article about our findings in a peer-reviewed journal of political science."

With the 2008 election just more than a month away, Duke is encouraging political discussions such as in Nyhan's class, while also asking faculty, staff and students to avoid conflicts, inappropriate political discussions and keep within Duke's legal responsibility as a non-profit tax-exempt institution through the release of new policy guidance on political activity.

Developed with the advice and review of a number of university offices, including the provost and general counsel, the policy was distributed by Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations Michael Schoenfeld this month. (To see the policy, click here.)

"This is an exciting year, and we want to encourage political activity by faculty, staff and students since the election is a truly unique educational experience," Schoenfeld said.. "While Duke cannot take positions or endorse candidates, being non-partisan doesn't mean the university must be unengaged.

"At the same time, we want everyone to use common sense to guide them in their political activity. If there is any question as to whether an activity is inappropriate, we want people to ask us."

The policy provides guidelines for personal political activity by faculty and staff, candidate appearances on campus, candidate invitations and use of Duke facilities by campaigns:

 

· Employees may speak publicly on political issues and candidates but must indicate that the views are strictly personal if identified by position or employer.

 

· Likewise, employees may assist campaigns but may not use university resources for partisan activities such as fund raising, endorsements or promoting events. Again, Schoenfeld said, employees should use common sense. "Use your personal e-mail account, not your duke.edu address, to promote campaign events and make statements," he said. "Nor can anyone include identifiable university images, such as the seal or Duke buildings, in mailings or for political purposes."

· Fund-raising activities on campus are not permitted, but faculty and student groups may invite candidates on campus in accordance with the Faculty Handbook.

 

· Campaign signs should not be displayed in offices or in university facilities. The one exception is in residence halls, which are treated as personal spaces.

There are still some issues to be resolved related to the Early Voting Site that will open on campus next week. Schoenfeld said Duke officials are talking with state elections lawyers to get guidance on questions about campaign signage at the site and whether employees can volunteer as campaign workers on campus.

The political discussions will continue on campus over the next month. Nyhan said his political science students are eager to talk about it.

"The students are very excited about the campaign and the experiment that we're working on," Nyhan said. "I think the election has made a big difference in helping them see the relevance and importance of our work to the outside world."