Free Speech at NMU - Northern Michigan University

Part 1:  Student Rights and Responsibilities

From the Student Handbook

1. Preamble, Section 1.1 Academic Administrative Rights and Responsibilities, Section 1.1.1 Instruction and Academic Evaluation and Section 1.1.2 Academic Freedom for Students  – 

All have elements that address free inquiry, academic freedom and free expression as critical to the learning process. Section 1.1.2 Academic Freedom for Students also addresses freedom of association, including the Student Organization Registration Policy that ensures students are free to organize and join associations to promote their common interests. These sections of the Student Handbook cover both the responsibilities of Northern Michigan University as well as the responsibilities on behalf of students regarding First Amendment rights.

Part 2: Student Code

This section outlines students’ responsibility to comply with reasonable and lawful requests or direction by University officials who are acting in performance of their official duties. This section also addresses destruction or altering of University property (intentionally or unintentionally), including information stored on NMU computers; disruptive conduct that impairs, interferes with or obstructs normal operations of the University and/or interferes with the rights of other members of the University community. It covers noise, types of disruptions, abuse and harassment of others, and proper use of the University’s name and marks.

• Buildings, use of (including unauthorized use of buildings)
• Camping on University Property
• Conduct – Disruptive of University Affairs
• Conduct – Noise Disruption on Campus
• Disorderly/Disruptive Conduct on Campus
• Improper Use of Electronic Devices
• Non-Discrimination Policy | Equal Opportunity (nmu.edu)
• Outside Speakers Policy
• Posting Materials Policy and Procedure 

This includes the use of the University name, logos, marks, email system, office spaces, telephones, photocopying, or other institutional facilities. No University funds may be used to promote a candidate, a political party, political action committee or any other partisan cause. No political fundraising activities may take place on campus or be promoted with University resources. In addition to other sanctions, failure to adhere to these restrictions could put the University’s tax-exempt status in jeopardy.  

To avoid situations that cause problems for the university, NMU students and employees should carefully review the materials provided by the American Council of Education (ACE) and be aware of what is allowable and what is not related to political campaigns and activities on campus. 

NMU employees, students and campus groups might be contacted by candidate campaign teams or their surrogates for such things as campus lists, campus space or other campus-related information.  All politically related requests should be directed to the President’s Office as a way to ensure that our actions as a university do not unintentionally violate any laws, which can result in large fines for the university. If you have questions, contact the Office of the President for assistance at NMUPres@nmu.edu or 906-227-2242.

These rules do not apply to you when acting on your own behalf and using your own personal time and resources, or when the political activity is directly tied to academics. However, to avoid situations that cause problems for the university, NMU students and employees should also carefully review the materials provided by the American Council of Education (ACE) and be aware of what is allowable and what is not related to political campaigns and activities on campus.

As engaged citizens of our community, you are encouraged to be aware of the issues in the upcoming elections, get involved as a private citizen in those that are important to you and get out and vote. But I also ask you to be aware of how your political activity on campus might impact the university.

• Scholarly research on political campaigns, candidates, issues or ballot initiatives.
• If you are a faculty member who is going to do politically related research, you must be fully aware of what is allowable under the law and what is not. (Refer to ACE materials)
• Classroom activities related to political campaigns, candidates, issues or ballot initiatives if they appropriately reflect the course description in the university bulletin and are non-partisan.  Classroom activities cannot be conducted to benefit a political party or campaign.  
• Campus visits to classrooms for academic purposes by a candidate or a representative of a ballot initiative.  Michigan state law requires equal access, so be prepared to have multiple candidates or representatives of both sides of an issue if the situation requires it. 
• Campus visits/rallies of a candidate or representative of a ballot initiative being sponsored by a student group. Northern’s facility use policies include the equal access component required by law. 
• People living in university-owned housing can use their place of residence to be engaged in political activities except for political fundraising, as set forth in Michigan’s law.
• A university member who is an elected or appointed public official with policy-making responsibilities (university presidents, board of trustee members) can have limited participation in election issues (permitted to express views on ballot or campaign initiative) that directly represents the university.
• Campus media (including campus media funded by the university) have all the rights of commercial media regarding political campaigns and ballot issues. As such, campus media is held to the same strict standards regarding equal time and access, including the 45-day rule for primaries and the 60-day rule for general elections.

• Using any university resources for any type of political campaign activities.
  • Examples (not an exhaustive list) – your NMU e-mail address, use of the NMU network, use of NMU-issued computers, your NMU office, university letterhead, envelopes, postage, copy machines, telephones, departmental funds.
• Stating your NMU title/affiliation when involved in political activities.
  • Examples (not an exhaustive list) – consulting for candidates, fundraising for candidates or ballot initiatives, writing letters to the editor or speaking at rallies.
  • If you must identify your affiliation with the university because it is critical to understanding your expertise related to a political campaign or ballot issue, you must also provide a disclaimer that you do not represent Northern Michigan University in your views or actions.
• Using NMU staff time for any political activity.
  • If involved as a private citizen, you must do these activities on your own time. You are required to take annual leave for activities that happen during your regular work shift.
• Not providing political candidates or representatives of a ballot initiative equal access to campus facilities (in other words, treating one candidate differently than another as it relates to use of campus facilities, including classrooms.)
• Putting political buttons, stickers, posters, yard signs, etc., on university property – including your office door – except in areas where the university has designated public and general, non-university posting.

Student Voting and College Political Campaign-Related Activities in 2024