Election Campaigning at the University of Guelph
| Effective Date: | September 15, 2008 |
| Signature/Position: | President |
Subject
Election Campaigning at the University of Guelph
Purpose
To establish guidelines pertaining to election campaigning at the University’s campuses for municipal, provincial and federal elections.
Preamble
The purpose of this Policy is to establish guidelines for election campaigning at the University for local candidates* in municipal provincial and federal elections. This Policy acts as a limited exception to the University’s general policy on On-Campus Advertising Promotion Sales and Solicitation.
General
- This Policy applies to the University of Guelph, including Guelph, Alfred, Kemptville and Ridgetown campuses. Any authorizations or arrangements required under this Policy at the regional campuses should be made through the Director’s office, as appropriate. For the Guelph campus, specific contact information is indicated below.
- This Policy does not apply to the University of Guelph-Humber. The University of Guelph-Humber follows the equivalent policy at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
Canvassing/Meeting Space
- The Guelph campus has a number of spaces both indoors and outdoors that are available for meetings or for the placement of displays and tables. Displays and tables that are erected without obtaining the necessary authorization will be removed. Information on the appropriate contact person for booking specific meeting or table spaces can be obtained from Conference Services. Each candidate will be provided one booking of meeting or table space without charge for an election-related presentation. All subsequent bookings made by candidates will be charged in accordance with the appropriate policy. Bookings of meeting or table space by registered University student clubs are governed by the Clubs policy for access to space.
- Candidates will be permitted to canvass door-to-door in apartment or townhouse style residences. For the personal safety of students, arrangements for canvassing must be made in advance by contacting the Director of Student Housing.
- Candidates will be permitted access to traditional dormitory style residences by arranging use of a common room. Booking arrangements must be made through the Director of Student Housing.
- Candidates wishing to carry out “meet and greet” type canvassing with the University community should contact Conference Services in advance to advise the University of their presence and to obtain direction on public areas made available for that purpose. No booking of space or related charges will apply to this activity. Specific areas will be identified taking into consideration the need to carry on normal University activities and address public safety and security.
Distribution of Campaign Literature
- Candidates may arrange for one distribution of their campaign literature through use of the University’s postal system or by mass email with a link to the candidate’s web-site. Arrangements for distribution of campaign literature should be made through the Department of Communications and Public Affairs. Deadlines will be established by the University for submission of material for mass emails.
- Candidates may arrange to place posters and bulletins on boards in specific University buildings. These arrangements should be made with the appropriate office, usually the Director of Student Housing or the Dean or Director of the particular academic unit. For the University Centre, placement of material is guided by the University Centre policy, Advertising, Promotion Sales and Solicitation.
- Each candidate will be permitted to place one campaign sign in a central exterior location on the Guelph campus as approved by the Vice-President (Finance and Administration).
Inquiries concerning this policy can be directed to the University Secretary, (519) 824-4120 ext. 56760 or univsec@uoguelph.ca.
*“Candidate” for purposes of this policy is as defined under the appropriate elections legislation. In the case of municipal elections it refers to, those running for the elected office of the Mayor as well as those running for city council in the Ward in which the University is located or in the Township Council at campuses where the University operates student residences.