Guidance for Political Activities

UW-Stout follows the Universities of Wisconsin Guidance on Political Campaign Activities to ensure information and processes related to political campaigning is consistent with university system guidelines. Employees and students are encouraged to read this guidance thoroughly before engaging in any expressive activity. 

As a state entity, the Universities of Wisconsin do not engage in political campaign activity and state time or resources may not be used for that purpose either. But, on their own time and with their own resources, employees and students may become involved with a political campaign.

Political campaign activity can include activities such as:

• solicitation of campaign contributions and distribution of materials
• advocating, volunteering, or working for candidates, political parties, or political action committees
• advocating a particular position on a referendum.

Political forums and debates can be sponsored by the Stout Student Association; however, all political candidates must be invited to the event.

UW-Stout is committed to the exercise of free speech and freedom of assembly. The University will work in good faith to assist students and student organizations in conducting demonstrations and protests in accordance with reasonable time, place, and manner guidelines.

Student groups or student organizations that are planning a demonstration or protest are asked to contact the Conferences & Events Office (MSC 214 or 715-232-2000) for events planned within or on the grounds surrounding the Memorial Student Center or Merle Price Commons. We also strongly recommend contacting Conferences & Events for demonstrations or protests planned elsewhere on campus, as this office can refer the group or organization to appropriate parties on campus to meet time, place, and manner guidelines. Planning your event with the Conferences & Events Office will help you do the following:

• Get detailed information on the guidelines for the space and the event
• Get access to AV support & other equipment
• Get a referral to University Police to help keep your protest safe and to protect your speech
• Get a referral to appropriate parties on campus to ensure your demonstrations meet time, place, and manner guidelines

While time, place, and manner guidelines may vary depending on the nature, size, and scope of the demonstration or protest, the minimum guidelines for all events are:

1. There must be free access and egress to, from, and within the building (staff may define barriers or lanes to ensure access/egress).
2. The activities cannot unreasonably disrupt another event or activity.
3. The activities may not enter the space(s) of another event or activity. 

Learn more about our reservable space and tabling locations below:

• Reservable space locations
• Reservable tabling locations

Spontaneous demonstrations or protests will be afforded the same commitment to free speech and freedom of assembly.  However, spontaneous demonstrations or protests will be held to time, place, and manner guidelines as noted above.

Questions about banners, sidewalk chalking, or other exterior posting of materials should be directed to:

Conferences & Events
302 10th Avenue East
RM 214, Memorial Student Center
715.232.2000
mscreservations@uwstout.edu

Within the Campus Community

Use of bulletin boards, common exterior windows, and exterior doors in university buildings is controlled by the building supervisor of each facility as outlined by UW-Stout Policy 76-3 Facility Use. The building supervisor may designate specific bulletin boards on which authorized groups, as defined in UWS 21.04 Use of University Facilities, may post materials.

The building supervisor must also approve any materials, such as window clings, placed on exterior doors or windows in common areas—unless specifically permitted by all-university policy.  A list of current building supervisors can be found on the Business, Finance, & Administrative Services website (must log in with UW-Stout credentials).

Within the Residence Halls

Political signs are allowed and may be displayed with these two residence hall policies in mind:

Fire Safety - Decorations - Students may not cover more than fifty percent of the hallway-side of their room doors with decorations. Decorations should not protrude from the door.

Posting of Signs - Students may not post signs anywhere inside or outside of the residence halls without prior approval from University Housing. Furthermore, materials placed on the public side of room doors must be in compliance with all UW System, UW-Stout and University Housing policies.

No items may be adhered to or displayed in windows. The only items that may be in a window are lights around the perimeter, plants on the windowsill, or a box fan. You will be asked to remove any other materials by University Housing staff.

Door-to-door, noncommercial solicitation is permitted in the residence halls by residents of that hall and their invited guests. Invited guests must be physically accompanied by the resident of the hall during the entire solicitation activity. Solicitation may not occur during quiet hours. The placement of literature on or under doors of residents’ rooms that aren’t their own is prohibited. Residents who refuse the solicitation verbally, by not answering their door, or via a clearly displayed sign on their door must be respected. The resident of the hall assumes responsibility for the activity's adherence to all applicable rules. Commercial solicitation, defined as the selling of services or products, is prohibited.

Residents may print a “No Solicitation” sign template here.