As we navigate the midterm election season, we want to ensure all Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) have clear guidance on how to participate in the political process lawfully and in accordance with state regulations. To provide greater clarity, we are introducing a new Registered Student Organization Policy on the “Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity,” effective immediately.
As a public state university, Michigan Tech is strictly regulated by state law—specifically Section 57 of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCL § 169.257). Under state law, public institutions and individuals acting on their behalf are prohibited from using public funds, property, facilities, or resources to support, oppose, or advocate for political candidates or ballot questions.
Because registered student organizations benefit from privileged use of campus resources, they must adhere to these state regulations when utilizing that privileged access.
Prohibited Use of Institutional Resources
Student organizations may not use any of the following institutional resources for campaign advocacy, candidate endorsement, fundraising for candidates or PACs, or ballot initiative action:
- Financial Resources: Student Activity Fee allocations, departmental funding, Michigan Tech Fund donations, or any funds maintained in university-administered accounts.
- Digital & IT Infrastructure: MTU-hosted email addresses, university mailing lists/listservs, official RSO web pages hosted on MTU servers, campus digital signboards, or university-managed platforms (e.g., Involvement Link, GivePulse).
- Physical Facilities & Property: Campus room usage, promotional tables, or university grounds for candidate or ballot related campaign operations or events.
- Supplies & Equipment: University computers, printers, paper, office supplies, signage materials, AV equipment, or university-owned vehicles.
- Institutional Branding: Use of Michigan Tech logos, trademarks, wordmarks, or official mascot imagery.
Allowable Facilities Usage & Non-Partisan Activities
- Fair-Market Rentals: RSOs or external political campaigns may reserve campus physical facilities or equipment only through standard external-rental procedures at fair market value, subject to equal-access rules available to the general public. All rental fees and related costs must be paid using private, non-university funds.
- Non-Partisan Civic Engagement: RSOs may use university facilities and digital platforms in accordance with standard scheduling procedures to conduct non-partisan voter registration drives, neutral candidate forums/debates (where all qualified candidates are invited), or get-out-the-vote efforts, provided no candidate, political party, or ballot position is endorsed or favored.
Improper use of university resources for campaign activity puts both the university and your organization at risk. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct and/or individual/organizational legal fines under state law.
We ask that student leaders and advisors review the full policy to ensure your planned activities for the year remain compliant. As a reminder, students and leaders are always free to participate in campaign activities in their individual capacities using personal time, personal non-mtu email addresses, private funds, and non-university equipment.
If you have questions about whether a planned event or activity complies with state law and university policy, please reach out to the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at rso@mtu.edu or visit us in the Memorial Union Building, room 112.
Thank you for your leadership and dedication to keeping our campus community active, engaged, and compliant.