Overall, the administration has demonstrated incredible support of student participation in the political process. From recognition of partisan groups like College Republicans and College Democrats to the creation of P-Votes to the Debate Watch Parties to the Election Day poster contest, the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS) has taken great steps to encourage high voter turnout. Then again, untargeted voter turnout is a non-partisan issue. Things are murkier when it comes to arguably partisan activities.
This is partly because Princeton is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Having this status exempts the institution from paying federal taxes. According to the IRS website, 501(C)(3) nonprofits must comply with several restrictions, including one that prohibits "[participating] in any campaign activity for or against political candidates." At the same time, the IRS allows for voter education activities "conducted in a non-partisan manner." Such vagueness has placed colleges and universities in a tight spot when it comes to supporting their students' political endeavors. Should universities fund student groups even when they are promoting a political candidate? Can universities even be held liable for their students' actions?
Princeton doesn't know. "Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities," Princeton's handbook for undergraduates, says that the University may recognize student groups that devote a "substantial" amount of time to "influencing legislation" or that "participate or intervene in a political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office." But the next line says that "Such organizations cannot use University facilities for the purpose of fund-raising for a political candidate or in order to establish a campaign headquarters." Nor can they receive money from the University. So then what is the point of recognition?
ODUS recognizes the duality of student groups by stating that "they are in one sense part of the University" while operating as "independent entities." The guidelines ODUS adopted at the beginning of this school year permit groups to invite speakers but not to fundraise. While these guidelines seem clear in theory, they limit the activities of student political groups, forcing them to use under-the-radar paths to accomplish their missions. The guidelines are confusing precisely because they are so easy to circumvent. It's hard for students to know what to do when the institution's policies are left open to a wide-range of interpretation.
"Students for Barack Obama" (SFBO) does not receive recognition as a student group on campus because of its obvious partisan purposes. Despite its lack of status, after Obama captured the Democratic nomination for president, SFBO simply worked together with College Democrats (of which I am an officer). Together, they've done voter outreach, brought Obama field directors to campus and educated students about volunteer opportunities for Obama. Nor does it take much imagination to invite a partisan speaker who raises awareness for one political candidate over another. Unsurprisingly, these guidelines affect left-leaning student groups more because liberals outnumber conservatives on this campus.
Surely whoever came up with the language in "Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities," knew that it would be impossible to stamp out all partisan activity. Princeton is more stringent than other universities in its guidelines. Yale's handbook for students doesn't mention "tax-exempt" or "501(C)(3)" status. Carnegie Mellon recognizes its chapter of Students for Barack Obama. The public school, California University of Pennsylvania, allows its SFBO to distribute partisan literature in its student center.
Indeed, the only thing accomplished by having the current stipulations as outlined in "Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities," and ODUS is to drive political activities below the radar of administrators and potentially placate the IRS or Princeton donors who oppose political activity. (I can imagine that the Frist Filibuster did not go over so well with the senator...)
But I'd like to think that these ends are preposterous given that ODUS and the Pace Center have stepped up their political activity efforts this year by sponsoring debate watch parties and campaign trips during University breaks. A full-fledged effort to engage students in the political process, however, requires a re-evaluation of the current language of "Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities." The leaders of student groups and administrators needs to clear up unanswered questions and get everybody on the same page.
Cindy Hong is a Wilson School major from Princeton, N.J. She can be reached at cindyh@princeton.edu.
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