EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

 

Policy Number:

PERS_0049

Policy Statement:

The Board of Trustees of Garden City Community College recognizes that the employees of the college have the same fundamental civic responsibilities and privileges as other citizens. This includes political advocacy for regional, state, or federal policies, campaigning for an elective public office, and holding an elective or appointive public office.

Political Activity of College Employees

All employees, regardless of full- or part-time status, shall not use time for which college pay is received, nor college property, students, school equipment, or materials for the purpose of solicitation, promotion, election, or defeat of any candidate for public office or of passage or defeat of any political or policy issues. Employees wishing to contact any politician, lobbyist or other political entity for any political viewpoint or candidate must not use college time or college resources (computer, email, etc.).

The President is the only college employee who is tasked with determining and executing the college’s overall political stance on any specific policy issue. Because of the possible perception that an individual employee’s opinion represents the overall college position, employees are strongly encouraged not to identify their employment at the college during their personal political advocacy.

Leave for Political Office

An employee must notify the President before taking part in an organized study or appointed or elective public office.

Employees seeking political office may be granted a leave of absence without pay. During such leave and/or absences approved under this policy, employees MAY be eligible for all applicable benefits approved by the Board. Requests for leave under this policy must be made in writing and must include the title, office and specific dates involved.

All rights and privileges explained in this policy are contingent upon the employee's return to college immediately upon expiration of leave. If employee does not return to work at the college, the employee MAY be required to repay the cost of the benefits received per policy.

Procedures:

 

Contacts:

Director of HR

Policy History:

July 1, 2026: Revised to include policy number

March 26, 2026: Revised

December 23, 2013: Revised

October 28, 2013: Revised

September 17, 2013: Reviewed