St. Olaf College is committed to civic education and engagement, including encouraging meaningful interactions with candidates for public office and elected officials; however, the context of the interactions and who is organizing those interactions changes how this can be done so as not to jeopardize the college’s 501(c)3 nonprofit organization status. See below for our policies and information for different constituencies.
As a § 501(c)(3) organization, St. Olaf College may not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any campaign for or against a candidate for public office. Nothing in this policy restricts students or employees from engaging in political activity in their personal capacities, but they may not represent that their views are those of the College or use College resources except as permitted by a neutral, generally applicable College program or facility-use policy. Failure to adhere to these requirements could subject the College to excise taxes or jeopardize the College’s tax-exempt status.
Below is a list of permitted and prohibited activities aimed to ensure the College is in compliance with federal law while respecting community members’ right to free speech, and encouraging robust participation in the election process. Information regarding academic freedom, freedom of speech, and political activity can also be found in the Faculty Manual (page 26) and the Staff Handbook (page 15).
Please note that these restrictions do not immediately apply to partisan political student groups, such as the College Leftists, College Democrats, and College Republicans; see other tab for more information for partisan student political organizations.
Permissible and Prohibited Activities
Educational institutions must take care when participating in political activity, and the particular facts and circumstances around that activity alter whether the activity is permissible or prohibited.
Here are some examples of permissible and prohibited activities for educational institutions:
- Permissible: hosting a candidate forum to educate voters in which all candidates are invited to participate
Prohibited: showing a preference for any candidate in a forum or not inviting all candidates for a race. This includes payment/honoraria to candidates for office. - Permissible: hosting nonpartisan voter registration drives
Prohibited: conducting selective voter registration aimed at registering voters who will vote for a particular party or candidate. - Permissible: sharing information about all candidates that are running for office
Prohibited:: publishing ratings, endorsing (explicitly or impliedly) a candidate for public office, or commenting on action, statements or positions taken by candidates - Permissible: taking positions on public policy issues (including issues that divide candidates and parties)
Prohibited: advocating that functions as political campaign intervention, which can include identifying particular candidates, making reference to voting in an election, etc. - Permissible: using email, computers, printing, and other campus resources (in a manner permitted under College policies for non-College business) for nonpartisan voter registration and education efforts
Prohibited: using email, computers, printing, and other campus resources to work for or endorse a candidate, political party, or political action committee.
Individual employees who are working with a political campaign or in public facing roles at the college should take care to indicate that any use of their professional title is for identification purposes only, and that their comments are personal and not made on behalf of St. Olaf College.
Political Activity in Buntrock Commons on Election Days
Buntrock Commons serves as the polling location for on-campus St. Olaf students, faculty, and staff and a few neighboring households. As such, political activity (including wearing political insignia like shirts, stickers, hats, etc.) of candidates, parties, and other items on the ballot for that election on election days is prohibited both in Buntrock Commons as well as within 100 feet of the building entrances. All community members are expected to adhere to these regulations. A reminder will be sent the day before the election.
Political Campaigning in Residence Halls
Political candidates and members from political parties and organizations are allowed to campaign in the residence halls and knock on individual student rooms as long as they adhere to the conditions set forth for candidates as listed on the “Candidate & Election Officials” tab (see Minnesota Statutes 2025, section 211B.20 for more information).
Use of Campus Facilities
As a private college, St. Olaf permits recognized student groups to use campus facilities for certain partisan political purposes so long as such groups pay the usual and customary charges and otherwise comply with rules applicable to student groups and to use of campus facilities, in accordance with this and other campus policies.
Student organizations are able to invite candidates for office to campus and host them with the intention of connecting with students and general voter engagement. All student organizations desiring to host a candidate on campus must execute a contract through the Office of Student Activities a minimum of two weeks in advance of the scheduled visit. Departments interested in hosting a candidate must consult with General Counsel to execute a contract. Tabling spaces and other campus locations may not be reserved until a contract has been successfully completed.
A student group that wishes to host a fundraiser for a political candidate, campaign committee, political action committee, PAC, “527” group or political party unit is not permitted to use campus facilities without charge. Doing so constitutes an in-kind campaign contribution from the college, which is not permitted by campaign finance laws. St. Olaf has established a reasonable charge for use of its facilities and these fees apply to recognized student groups wishing to host a fundraiser for an individual candidate, campaign committee, political action committee, PAC or 527 group. These fees must be paid either by an individual or by the campaign, committee, group or party directly. Student groups wishing to host campaign fundraisers are cautioned to coordinate with the individual candidate, committee, group or party regarding other fundraising expenses, such as food, beverages, and entertainment, to ensure they are reported and accounted for as required by applicable campaign finance laws. Again, SGA-allocated funds may not be used for any of these purposes.
Restriction on Use of Allocated Funds
St. Olaf provides allocation of funds collected from student services’ fees to recognized student groups through a grants and co-sponsorship funding program through the relevant branch of the Student Government Association. Allocated funds must be used for the recognized student group’s own activities and may not be transferred to or spent to benefit any other organization, individual, or candidate. In addition, because of campaign finance laws, allocated funds may not be used to provide indirect or in-kind contributions to a particular candidate for public office, a campaign committee, political action committee, PAC, “527” group or a political party unit.
An indirect contribution includes:
- Paying expenses on behalf of the candidate, committee, group or party.
- Providing anything of value without charge, including services, printed materials, facilities, food & drink, use of a computer, use of a mailing list, etc.
- Volunteer services are not considered an in-kind contribution and are permitted.
If a student group wishes to raise funds so that it can provide direct, indirect or in-kind support to candidates, campaign committees, political action committees, PACs, 527 groups or political party units, they are cautioned that this is an activity that is regulated by the campaign finance laws of Minnesota, for state-level candidates, and the Federal Elections Commission, for federal-level candidates. If a student group wishes to engage in this type of activity, they are encouraged to seek appropriate counsel to ensure compliance with campaign finance laws.
Political Campaign Postings
Literature and flyers regarding off-campus political campaigns, (i.e. US Congressional or Presidential campaigns; state or local offices) are permitted to be posted within the Commons but must list the sponsoring recognized campus group. Any postings advocating a particular issue must also identify the sponsoring groups. All postings must follow posting/publicity guidelines listed above.
Only St. Olaf College sponsored items may be mass stuffed per the Post Office Box policy; student organizations are no longer allowed to mass stuff P.O. boxes.
On-Campus Election Campaigns
On-campus election campaigns (i.e. Student Government) must follow SGA Election guidelines. These can be obtained from SGA in the Office of Student Activities, BC 108.
First, thank you to candidates and elected officials for your service to our community!
Second, St. Olaf College is committed to civic education and engagement, including encouraging meaningful interactions with candidates for public office and elected officials. To facilitate this while preserving public safety, we have developed this FAQ document for candidates, elected officials, and campus sponsors to offer clarification and guidance. Policies may be updated at any time per the discretion of the college. Questions can be directed to Kelly Shirah, Campus Vote Coordinator, at shirah1@stolaf.edu.