Supplements System Regulation 33.01.01
Approved
1. Introduction:
As a state-supported agency of higher education and a component of The Texas A&M University System, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is required to remain neutral in partisan political activities. Individual faculty, staff, and students continue to enjoy all constitutional rights and privileges concerning freedom of speech and participation in political events, subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions. In accordance with the Texas A&M University Policy on Freedom of Expression, the Institute will protect the freedoms of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly, while maintaining the right to regulate time, place and manner restrictions concerning acts of expression and dissent.
2. Endorsement of Candidates and Officeholders:
The Institute itself will not endorse, recommend, or otherwise indicate partisan political support for any candidate for an elected office, or for any current officeholder of such an office. It is the intent and expectation of TTI that all employees avoid any behavior that could reasonably be interpreted as Institute endorsement, support, or promotion of political candidates or partisan political activities. Nothing in this rule should be construed to limit the right or ability of any member of the Institute’s staff to express personal opinions or to exercise his or her right to engage in political activities outside his or her official capacity or affiliation with TTI, within the limits of the TAMUS Ethics Policy 07.01, and TAMUS Policy 33.01.01, Obligations as a System employee.
3. Discrimination Based on Political Viewpoint:
TTI does not allow discrimination against any organization or individual on the basis of political affiliation or doctrine.
4. Use of Facilities:
In accordance with TAMUS Ethics Policy, no TTI employee shall expend or authorize expenditure of any TTI funds, services, or supplies for the purpose of influencing the outcome of any election, or partisan political activity. Political candidates (either incumbents or new office seekers, members of their staffs, or their campaign representatives) are not permitted to reserve Institute facilities for political campaign events.
5. Current Officeholders:
When a holder of a political office visits a TTI facility, the officeholder shall be afforded all due respect and courtesies to which their office entitles them. The Director or Deputy Director should be advised when the visit is proposed. However, officeholders may not engage in any partisan political activities, including campaigning for themselves or on behalf of others, unless they comply with the Institute rule dealing with campaigning. If the nature of an officeholder’s visit is not clear prior to arrival, the TTI staff member coordinating the visit should use his or her best efforts to determine in advance if the officeholder will be engaging in any partisan activities during the visit.
6. Use of TAMUS Symbols, Insignia and Other Identifying Marks:
Subject to section 7 of TAMUS Regulation 33.01.01, the use of any symbol, insignia, or other identifiable mark of any component of the System in association with any partisan political activity, including campaigns by political candidates, is prohibited.
7. Recognized Organizations:
Organizations of students, faculty, or staff that have been recognized and approved in accordance with System and Institute processes may sponsor partisan political activities or events on TTI property in accordance with the Institute’s rules and procedures.
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History:
New Rule
Contact Office for Interpretation:
Office of the Director
