UTSA leadership provides update on political activity policy

Editor's Note: This message was sent via email from Teresa Niño, vice president of university relations and Jason King, associate vice president of strategic risk management and chief legal officer, to all faculty and staff.

AUGUST 29, 2024 — We hope you are well and enjoying these busy first few days of our new academic year. We are writing to convey some important information regarding your rights and responsibilities when it comes to engaging in political and electoral activities. As state employees, we carry an important obligation to act with the highest degree of integrity in the furtherance of the public’s trust.

To that end, numerous laws and policies regulate and guide our conduct. These policies were recently reaffirmed by UT System in a memo to all UT institution presidents. We highly encourage you to review this memo, as it provides a detailed analysis of permissible and prohibited political activity on campus. 

In addition, as we enter these weeks leading up to the general election on November 5, we ask you to be particularly mindful of the following policies:

• University employees cannot use public money, official authority, work time or other state resources (letterhead, email, telephones) in support of a campaign or candidate and cannot coerce or restrict lawful contributions to a campaign or candidate.

• Unless expressly authorized by UTSA, university employees cannot lobby elected officials, their offices/staff, or political candidates

• University employees can support or oppose a campaign or candidate on his or her own time and contribute personal funds in his or her private capacity. 

• Under Texas Education Code Section 51.9315(f), protected speech (including political speech) can take place in the university’s common outdoor areas subject to time, place and manner restrictions and without disrupting university operations. University employees can use UTSA's common outdoor areas for these purposes as long as they do so on their own time and otherwise abide by the aforementioned restrictions. 

Please also note that—as recently confirmed by UT System—UTSA, its colleges and departments should not, in their official capacity, issue or express positions on issues of the day. This restriction only relates to official university statements, functions, ceremonies and publications.

UTSA's Office of Government Relations, within the Division of University Relations, serves as the primary institutional point of contact with all local, state and federal elected officials and their respective staff. If, in your capacity as an employee of UTSA, you wish to or have the need to contact any of these officials or their staff, please reach out to Albert Carrisalez or Jason Hassay in Government Relations for assistance and guidance.

Should you have any questions regarding the permissibility of any activity in the context of our policies and/or state or federal law, please reach out to the Office of Legal Affairs.