Subject: University Guidance on Political Campaign Activity and Lobbying
From: Campus Broadcast <[email-masked]>
To: Campus Broadcast <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2015 20:19:47 +0000

As the academic year gets underway, we wanted to remind you of the rules that apply to the University’s engagement in political campaign activity and lobbying. The University encourages its students, faculty and staff to engage in the political process and in issue or cause advocacy in their personal capacities, and certain limited political activities and lobbying are permissible on campus.  It is important for members of our community to understand, however, that there are restrictions and requirements relating to political activity and lobbying by the University or utilizing University resources. If you are considering engaging in political campaign activity or lobbying activities in your University capacity, or in ways that involve University resources or could appear to be on behalf of the University, you should pay careful attention to the following information and contact the Office of Federal Relations for guidance.

Political Campaign Activity

The 2016 political campaign is already dominating the news, and the presidential and other elections are sure to draw more and more attention.  While individuals, of course, may support candidates of their choice, the University, as a tax-exempt organization, is prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for political office and is subject to limitations on the use of its resources for partisan political campaign activities. Members of the University community, including student groups, who wish to engage in political campaign activities in their University capacity or in ways that use University resources should consult with the Office of Federal Relations in advance for guidance.  Many political activities can be conducted on campus, but it is important that activities be planned and structured in ways that meet requirements.  More detailed information is available at: http://federalrelations.georgetown.edu/news/lobbying<http://links.georgetown.mkt6170.com/ctt?kn=2&ms=MjM0ODc3NDUS1&r=NzE1OTM1MTE1MzUS1&b=0&j=NjQxMTY1OTAwS0&mt=1&rt=0> .

Lobbying

Although we typically think of lobbying as an attempt to influence specific legislation, it encompasses a broad range of communications with various federal officials and also activity that helps to prepare others to make such communications.  Georgetown is represented by a registered federal lobbyist (Scott Fleming), and as a result must observe lobbying rules and reporting requirements.  There is a cap on the amount of lobbying the University can engage in and we must file quarterly lobbying reports that report on all lobbying activity that has been undertaken on behalf of the University, include a calculation of the dollar value of University resources devoted to lobbying activities, and list the topics on which lobbying has occurred.  Keeping track of all lobbying activity is an important, legally-required, responsibility of the Office of Federal Relations. Before you engage in any lobbying activity that involves members of the University community or utilizes University resources (or if you have questions about whether a planned activity may constitute lobbying), you should contact the Office of Federal Relations.

Finally, it is also important to note that Congressional gift rules generally prohibit members of the University community from offering or providing anything of value to a Member of Congress or a Congressional staff person.  Federal agencies also have their own gift rules.  There are a series of exceptions to these rules, including for widely attended events, certain educational events, and a carefully defined personal friendship exception, but it is best to check with the Office of Federal Relations to determine how these rules apply to a particular circumstance.

Thank you for your attention to this information.  Please contact us if you have questions either at [email-masked]<http://links.georgetown.mkt6170.com/ctt?kn=1&ms=MjM0ODc3NDUS1&r=NzE1OTM1MTE1MzUS1&b=0&j=NjQxMTY1OTAwS0&mt=1&rt=0> or by phone to 202-687-3455<tel:202-687-3455>.

With best regards

Christopher Murphy                   Scott S. Fleming                       James E. Ward
Vice President                            Associate Vice President          Associate Vice  President
for Government Relations          for Federal Relations                for Compliance and Ethics
and Community Affairs
 [http://links.georgetown.mkt6170.com/open/log/23487745/NzE1OTM1MTE1MzUS1/0/NjQxMTY1OTAwS0/1/0]