Policy Regarding Political Activities by Student Organizations

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.

Permitted Activities.

  • Promoting issues, a particular political party and its agenda.
  • Hosting public official visits, hosting candidate visits other than fundraisers.
  • Debates.
  • Registering voters.
  • Getting out the vote other than for a specific candidate, and similar activities. 

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 cosponsorship funding program through the Student Organizations Committee branch of Student Government.  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.

Use of Campus Facilities for Political Fundraisers.  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, SOC allocated funds may not be used for any of these purposes.