BYU revises political neutrality policy

Brittani Lusk

In the face of a presidential election involving prominent alumnus Mitt Romney, and less than a year after the campus erupted in protest over the commencement speech of Vice President Dick Cheney, Brigham Young University has revised its policy on political neutrality.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said the policy was revised as part of a routine revision of all of the school's policies. She said the reworked version, completed in October and released recently, has no significant changes.

"It's not changed. It's just clarified," Jenkins said.

She said the sections regarding students and clubs that would like to invite candidates, politicians or others to speak on campus had been expounded to clear up confusion. Procedures for approval from the university have been clarified.

The policy says "colleges, student academic associations, BYUSA and student-chartered clubs must receive approval prior to extending an invitation to a partisan political speaker or arranging an event [such as a debate or forum] that involves candidates for public office, public officials or campaign officials."

The policy continues to outline the steps necessary for each group to gain approval. Groups must clear speakers with academic advisors, department chairs, deans and in some cases, the Office of General Counsel.

Jenkins said the university has not gotten tighter with procedures.

"It doesn't restrict it. It just explains the procedure that they would need to follow," Jenkins said.

The revised statement also includes a section on student political participation. The old statement had no such statement. The current statement says that students are encouraged to assume civic duties, but will not receive special accommodation from the university to do so. That is not a policy shift from the previous policy, according to school officials, but the circumstances are now more explicitly listed.

Though BYU does not endorse parties, platforms, candidates or legislation, the policy states that students and employees are encouraged to participate in the political processes. During the fall 2007 semester, BYU received visits from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

Jenkins said invitations issued by the school follow the same procedures outlined for groups, and do not indicate support for a particular candidate, official or party.

BYU tries to maintain its neutrality because it is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The neutrality policy reads, "The essential functions of the university require strict institutional neutrality, integrity and independence regarding partisan activities, particularly because perceived partisanship is often interpreted as endorsement by the university's affiliated sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The church also maintains its own statement of neutrality, saying the church does not endorse or oppose political candidates, parties or platforms.

Rob Howell a spokesman for the LDS Church, declined to comment on how the church affects the school, deferring all comments to Jenkins.

Utah Valley State College has no such political neutrality policy; however, Cameron Martin, assistant to the president of institutional development and planning at UVSC, said college employees are employees of the state and bound as such. For example, Martin said he could not endorse a political candidate in his official working capacity. He could not wear campaign buttons at work, but could put a sign in his front yard or run for public office.

• Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at blusk@heraldextra.com.