Dear colleagues, 

As fall term of an election year begins, we want to remind you that Oregon law prohibits the use of public funds, equipment, and supplies to advocate for or against a candidate or ballot measure. It also restricts what public employees, which include University of Oregon employees, may do in support of or opposition to a candidate or ballot measure. For more information on what is or is not allowable for public employees, please review the political activities notices webpage. Employees can also reference the Restrictions on Political Advocacy by Public Employees, which is a policy manual from Oregon Secretary of State and the University of Oregon Policy on Political Activities. 

For further clarification or questions, please contact Human Resources at hrinfo@uoregon.edu. An updated and consolidated academic freedom, freedom of inquiry, and free speech policy is now available for all faculty, staff, and students in the UO Policy Library. The Office of the Provost’s academic freedom webpage includes guidance on relevant policy and process material, communication guidelines, readings, and UO support and office contact information. For those interested in learning more about the topic of academic freedom and the public university, check out keynote addresses and panel discussions through the UO Libraries Scholars’ Bank.

The UO Teaching Engagement Program and UO Online have prepared resources to support faculty and graduate student instructors.  

Sincerely, 

Office of the Provost