Campaigning in the Residence Halls (Policy #106)

In accordance with Wis. Admin. Code sec. UWS 18.11(9) Campaigning in state-owned residence halls; the following policies surrounding campaigning in the residence halls are designed to allow campaigning individuals the opportunity to discuss issues and distribute literature pertinent to residence hall students. In addition, these policies are designed to protect residence hall students’ rights to privacy in their living spaces.

Dean of Students

This policy applies to university students, residence hall student groups, registered student organizations, and campaigning individuals for local, state, and national elections.

Campaigning: Advocacy or education directly related to voter registration or voting in an election, a candidate appearing on the ballot, or a referendum question on the ballot in an upcoming municipal, state, or national election. 

Campaign Literature: Printed materials distributed for the purpose of campaigning as defined above. 

Residence Halls: University-owned or -operated housing facilities that serve as student living spaces. 

Designated Tabling Area: A specified location within a residence hall where campaign activities may occur under this policy.      

University students, residence hall student groups, registered student organizations, and campaigning individuals for local, state, and national elections are permitted to engage in political campaigning in the residence halls. Campaigning individuals may meet with students and distribute literature following the procedures outlined below: 

1. Campaigning individuals may campaign in the residence hall lobby space of any residence hall. Campaigning individuals must reserve this space through the Complex Director of each residence hall, no later than two business days ahead of the desired time. The times when this activity will be allowed are 3:00 pm-8:00 pm. 
2. Campaigning individuals must check in with the front desk staff at the time of their arrival and must wear a name tag or appropriate identifying button etc. The residence hall will provide a table and two chairs in the lobby for the candidate’s use.
3. Door-to-door campaigning and other entry onto residential floor of the residence hall by individuals engaged in campaigning, with the exception of residents and their invited guests, is prohibited. This prohibition includes placement of political literature on or under residents’ room doors.
4. Campaigning activity may include the distribution of political literature (and the use of tables and chairs in the designated tabling area) but may not occupy doorways or prevent ingress/egress or otherwise interfere with normal student housing operations. 
5. Posting of political literature (other than within the designated tabling area for the duration of the campaigning event), is prohibited except to the extent that the posting would be allowed by student housing posting policy.
6. Campaigning must be conducted in a considerate manner that minimizes impact on the community or residents. Campaigning individuals and their representatives must respect the desires of students not wishing to engage in conversation or take literature. This includes but is not limited to the following prohibited acts, playing of music, amplifying sounds such as microphones or megaphones, etc. 
7. Unless a part of a residence hall organized program, it is not the responsibility of the residence hall, or University Housing to have all sides represented during elections.
8. Campaigning individuals who do not follow the above procedures may be restricted from accessing the residence halls for similar events during the duration of the election season. 
9. Notwithstanding the above provisions, residents of a residence hall, as well as resident-invited guests, may communicate in their residence halls about political matters with as much freedom as residents and resident-invited guests, respectively, are permitted to communicate generally under applicable [student housing] rules.[Relatedly, all residents and resident-invited guests must abide by any (student housing) rules allowing other residents to opt out of disturbances to their dwelling unit doors].  Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to violate any student’s rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
10. Consequences for violations of this policy may include, but are not limited to:
    • For all individuals and organizations:
      • Immediate termination of the campaign activity;
      • Revocation of future access to residence halls for campaign purposes. 
    • For UW-Whitewater students (for their own conduct or the conduct of non-resident individuals for whom they are responsible):
      • Referral to the Dean of Students off for student conduct proceedings under UWS Chapter 17;
      • As appropriate, action under student housing rules and contract provisions
    • For non-UW-Whitewater affiliated individuals:
      • Removal from the residence hall and/or campus under UWS 18.11(6) and (7).
      • As appropriate, civil forfeitures under UWS 18.13.

Pursuant to UWS 18.14, institutional regulations promulgated under ss. UWS 18.04 to 18.12 shall take effect when filed with the secretary of the board.

University Housing Policies:

• Guests
• Mail
• Posting
• Sales and Solicitation

First Approved: 1998
Revision #1: February 12, 2026

2031

Questions regarding the interpretation of this policy should be directed to:
Assistant Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students, or Associate Dean of Students
Phone: 262-472-1533
Email: deanofstudents@uww.edu