Political Site Visit and Events

1. Policy

Issued: February 15, 2022 
Last Reviewed: November 13, 2025 
Last Revised: November 13, 2025 

Applies to: Faculty (including part-time, adjunct and visiting faculty), postdoctoral scholars, staff (including graduate/undergraduate student workers and graduate assistants) employed by University of Southern California (“USC“ or the “University“) and including those working for Keck Medicine of USC (“USC Employees”), students and Recognized Student Organizations. This policy continues to apply to individuals who are on sabbatical or other leaves, or who are visiting other institutions. 

2. Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the University of Southern California (USC) complies with applicable laws when hosting site visits and events with Government Officials, Political Candidates, and Campaign Representatives. USC does not endorse Political Candidates, contribute to their campaigns, or otherwise permit the use of USC resources to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or political action committees (PACs) that support or oppose candidates. USC may support or oppose ballot measures when the measure relates to or could impact USC’s institutional mission and operations, and may use USC resources to support or oppose ballot measures, but only with advance approval of the Senior Vice President, University Relations. See the Political Activity Policy for additional details.

3. Scope and Application

This policy applies to all individuals and groups, including faculty, staff, students, and student organizations, that wish to host Government Officials, Political Candidates, Campaign Representatives, and their staff members at a USC Event. Hosting a USC Event requires coordination and input from the Office of University Relations, Office of Ethics and Compliance and Office of Media and Public Relations in order to achieve all participants’ objectives while complying with applicable laws.  

4. Definitions

 Term Definition 
Government Official Elected or appointed public officials (typically including most of their staff members) or government employees empowered to make governmental decisions.  Government Officials may also be Political Candidates. 
 USC or University Includes departments, schools, other units, and the health system.  
Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Student organizations that have been approved for recognition in accordance with the USC Student Handbook and who are in good standing as defined by USC Student Life.   
Political Candidate A person running for elected office in the United States, regardless of whether the election is considered partisan or nonpartisan. Political Candidates may also be Government Officials. 
Campaign Representative An individual working for or volunteering for a candidate or ballot measure campaign, for a political party, or for a political action committee (PAC). An individual is deemed to be a Campaign Representative if they participate in a USC Event and coordinate that participation with a campaign, party, or PAC, regardless of whether they have an official role in the campaign, party, or PAC.  
USC Event A site visit or event held on a USC campus or facility, a site visit or event sponsored, promoted, or coordinated with USC or an RSO (regardless of location), or an event utilizing USC or RSO resources (regardless of location), regardless of whether the site visit or event qualifies as an “event” requiring a University Event Permit. 

5. Policy Details

(A.) USC Events (Generally): 

    1. Members of the university community may host USC Events involving Government Officials or Political Candidates/Campaign Representatives, subject to the restrictions contained in this policy, as well as all other applicable laws and USC policies or guidance. For example, a faculty member may invite a Government Official to participate in a lecture or class.   
    1. A USC Event may include a speech by the Government Official or Political Candidate/Campaign Representative, reception, photo opportunity, and/or presentation of an award. Event organizers may invite stakeholders, such as faculty, students, employees, or beneficiaries of USC programs.  
    1. USC Event organizers must notify University Relations in advance of any site visit or event that will include a Government Official or Political Candidate/Campaign Representative and must coordinate with University Relations on the purpose of the event, desired outcomes, and details such as dates, locations, and whether the event is open to the press. Press may be invited to events with Government Officials or Political Candidates/Campaign Representatives only with the approval of University Relations, who shall seek input from University Communications as appropriate. 
    1. Gifts of goods or services, such as tickets, meals, and payments for travel, to Government Officials and Political Candidates/Campaign Representatives may be prohibited, limited, and/or reportable by the university under applicable laws (which vary depending on the jurisdiction – City, County, State, and Federal). Gifts may not be given to Government Officials or Political Candidates/Campaign Representatives without first consulting the Office of Ethics and Compliance, who will coordinate with University Relations as needed.  

    (B). Additional Rules Applicable to USC Events with Political Candidates or Campaign Representatives: 

      1. Generally, USC Events with Political Candidates or Campaign Representatives are permissible only when the Political Candidate or Campaign Representative is invited, and agrees to participate, in a capacity unrelated to their status as Candidate or Campaign Representative. Political Candidates and Campaign Representatives must be invited solely for reasons other than a political campaign. 
      1. No USC or RSO funds or resources may be contributed to Political Candidates, political parties, PACs, or campaigns for or against a ballot measure. USC Events may not include activities that constitute (or may be regarded as constituting) a contribution to or support of a Political Candidate’s campaign, political party, a PAC, or a campaign for or against a ballot measure.   
      1. Publicity for a USC Event with a Political Candidate or Campaign Representative may not reference the individual’s candidacy, a ballot measure, or an upcoming election. Event organizers may not reproduce, republish or distribute campaign, party, or PAC literature, advertisements, campaign signs or other similar materials at a USC Event or using USC/RSO resources.   
      1. USC Event organizers are responsible for ensuring that a USC Event maintains an atmosphere that is nonpartisan and free of electioneering, and does not become a political rally or campaign event. Organizers must clearly communicate with Political Candidates and Campaign Representatives about the nonpartisan and electioneering-free nature of the event and must remove any election or candidacy-related elements from the event, such as signs urging the election of a Political Candidate or supporting a ballot measure. Political Candidates and Campaign Representatives must understand and agree that the site visit or event will a) be nonpartisan and free of electioneering, b) not be a political rally or campaign event, c) that their remarks may not reference their candidacy, a ballot measure, a political party, a PAC, or an election, and d) they must refrain from fundraising while at USC. At the beginning of an event featuring a Political Candidate or Campaign Representative of a candidate, political party or PAC, the event organizers must remind the audience that the university is prohibited from endorsing or supporting candidates. USC may terminate any event in which a Political Candidate or Campaign Representative does not adhere to the university’s rules and policies. 
      1. The Senior Vice President, University Relations, in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, Office of Ethics and Compliance, and University Communications, may waive paragraphs (B)(1)-(B)(4) of this Policy for ballot measure campaigns and political committees supporting or opposing ballot measures. 
      1. Event organizers may host bona fide candidate and ballot measure debates. These events must adhere to the standards promulgated by the IRS for 501(c)(3) organizations, federal election law and regulations, and any applicable state or local laws or regulations. Certain restrictions in this policy, such as the requirement to invite Political Candidates and Campaign Representatives in their non-candidate capacity and the prohibition on express advocacy by Political Candidates and Campaign Representatives, do not apply to bona fide debates. University Relations must approve all bona fide debates and specifically designate the event as such; any event that occurs without University Relations approval and designation is not a bona fide debate and shall be considered an ordinary event with a Political Candidate or Campaign Representative under this policy, even if the event purports to be a debate. 

      6. Procedures

      Government Official and Political Candidate/Campaign Representative site visits and events must  

      1. be approved by University Relations,  
      1. be held in accordance with the University Event Permit Application that has been approved by the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events for that event, and  
      1. adhere to all university policies and procedures for events.   

      Any person inviting a Government Official or Political Candidate/Campaign Representative to campus must inform the Office of University Relations at the early stages of planning and before the Government Official, Political Candidate, or Campaign Representative’s participation is confirmed or the event is advertised. Cultural Relations and University Events will work with University Relations (and other appropriate departments) to ensure university protocol is being followed for all events. 

      While USC endeavors to support events organized by its faculty, staff, and students, the university reserves the right to impose reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on such events and may not authorize site visits and events otherwise permissible under this policy when the activities would be disruptive to the university or otherwise conflict with the university’s policies and procedures for events. See the University’s Freedom of Expression website for additional information. 

      7. Forms

      Complete the Events Permit Application to request an event permit. 

      8. Responsibilities

      Position or Office Responsibilities 
      Office of Ethics and Compliance (Compliance Lead regarding political activities) Review and respond to inquiries about potential USC political activities, gather information and consult with counsel to determine what is prohibited, acceptable or reportable. 
      Office of University Relations Review and approve all requests to host Political Site Visits and Events. 

      9. Related Information

      Political Activity Policy 
      Political Activity FAQ 
      University’s Freedom of Expression website 

      10. Contacts

      Please direct any questions regarding this policy to: 

      Office Phone Email 
      Office of Ethics and Compliance (213) 821-9593 politicalcompliance@usc.edu 

      Administrative and Business PracticesPublic PolicyUniversity Organization, Culture, and Ethics