During this year’s General Legislative Session, representatives from Utah Valley University will ascend the steps of the Utah State Capitol to share the good news about our university and ask for resources to help our campus grow.

This year’s priorities include compensation increases, performance funding, growth, and a new home for the College of Engineering and Technology, with funding for the new Scott M. Smith Engineering and Technology Building.

The legislative session always provides opportunities with potential benefits to UVU, its students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders. While UVU encourages faculty and staff to be politically engaged, there are parameters that employees must follow. During this legislative session, we want to remind our loyal employees of the dos and don’ts of political engagement at UVU.

 

Dos — Employees may fully engage in political activities:

• While on their own time (e.g., after work hours or while using personal or vacation leave).
• Through the use of their personally owned equipment and personal email and social media accounts.
• By clearly representing their own interests and not UVU’s.

 

Don’ts — Employees cannot engage in political activities:

• During time working for UVU (i.e., on the clock)
• Through the use of UVU owned resources (e.g., university computers, tablets, copiers, paper, etc.).
• Through the use of UVU service (e.g., UVU email or social media accounts).
• While at work through campaigning tactics (e.g., wearing a political pin in support or opposition of a referendum or telling co-workers how to vote).
• In a way that gives the impression that they represent UVU and its interests (the exception to this are UVU employees whose job function it is to officially represent UVU and its positions and interests).

 

We express our gratitude and best wishes to Steven Anderson and his team as they work with our Utah lawmakers and represent for UVU’s interests at the Capitol. Good luck!

A full list of UVU’s protocols pertaining to engagement in political activities can be found here.