Policy Regarding Political Candidates Speaking On Campus
Canisius College is routinely approached by political candidates/parties requesting the opportunity to sponsor events or address the general public from our campus. Canisius encourages the use of our facilities by political candidates/parties who are interested in participating in an educational forum – as defined by Canisius College – if the requirements listed below are met. Canisius College facilities may not be utilized by political candidates/parties for rallies, fundraisers, special events etc. The policy provides:
- Any program must be free and open to the public.
- The program must include a formal presentation on the part of the political candidate and offer an opportunity for questions and answers from a panel and/or the audience.
- The program must not serve as a fundraiser for the candidate or his/her political party.
- The college reserves the right to require payment in advance from a political candidate or his/her party for costs associated with the program. This may include, but is not limited to: maintenance costs, security, utilities, audio/visual and staff time.
- The program must not place an undue burden on the college’s staff, facilities or other resources.
- Political candidates/parties must recognize that the college is in no way endorsing the views expressed by the speaker(s), and allows such a program only in the interest of the advancement of education.
- The college reserves the right to cancel any program or activity on campus, at any time, which poses a clear and present danger to the college or local community.
- Persons wishing to approach the college with requests involving political candidates should contact the college’s associate vice president for public relations who will serve as coordinator for such a program.