On July 25, Howard University emailed its community about political guidelines they should abide by.
With the nomination of alumna Vice President Kamala Harris (B.A. ’86) as the Democratic presidential candidate, Howard University has issued a statement to guide the Howard University community from making political statements that could jeopardize the university’s financial future.
The policy, which was revised for clarification, is a 27-page document with the first eight pages about the university’s guidelines, including guidance and prohibitions, and the 19 other pages being documents from the American Council on Education called “Student Voting and College Political Campaign-Related Activities in 2024.”
Howard University asks students, faculty and alumni to follow the policies, adding that “the University and its constituent organizations are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity,” but the “University is dedicated to active citizenship and encourages all key stakeholders to exercise fully their civic and political rights as individuals.”
“It’s fine to speak about your political views. However, the university cannot endorse any candidates, so student groups must make it clear that the views expressed are those of the student and not the University. It’s important to use the oral and written disclaimers,” said Khrista McCarden, an attorney in the Office of the General Counsel.
Florence Prioleau, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary to the board of trustees echoed McCarden’s advice. Prioleau said that Howard University resources should not be used since Howard University is a non-profit tax-exempt institution and that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) might knock on Howard’s door if they engage in partisan political activities.
Prioleau advises students or staff to reach out to the office of general counsel if they have any questions or concerns.
The university warns key stakeholders to avoid using “Howard University Resources,” which include “images of the clock tower, university seal, bison logo and other trademarked intellectual property [as well as] building and email addresses, indoor and outdoor campus spaces, office equipment, food and refreshments,” among others.
Tariah Hyland, Howard University Student Association’s vice president and a senior political science major from Wilmington, Delaware, expressed her personal views on this policy.
“I think it just encourages me to be more intentional about the way I encourage my peers to vote,” she said. “Just empowering young people to be civically engaged and to be empowered in their vote. Howard isn’t stopping us from harnessing the power of our vote, just encouraging us to be more mindful and respectful of the stipulations of our university.”
The university defines key stakeholders as including, “but not limited to, all students; faculty, staff and other employees of Howard University and Howard University Hospital; the leadership and membership of all Howard University-sponsored or affiliated organizations and associations; Howard University alumni; members of Boards of Visitors; volunteers and friends.”
“Even looking at the email, I know they literally said this guideline doesn’t in any way take our academic freedoms or freedom of expression, but in a way it kind of is,” Howard University Democrats’ co-president, Lauren North, a senior political science major and philosophy minor from Kansas City, Missouri said.
“Howard University is supposed to represent us and support us [and] taking that support away is also taking our freedom of expression away and just our outlet, to be able to get to the community, get to Howard students and spread that message as well. That whole support system is just taken away,” North said.
North also voiced her concerns on how it now makes it much harder with the importance of the upcoming presidential election since they can’t have events on campus or use meeting rooms, which leaves them to figure out the next steps on their own.
The university encourages students to vote in elections and explains that they can plan voter registration drives. However, “if activities are conducted on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate rather than on a non-partisan basis, students and student organizations: must explicitly state the activity does not have the support or endorsement of Howard University by including the Disclaimer on printed materials and in oral introductions/presentations,” among other guidances.
“Even though it is disheartening what the policy has laid out for us, I feel like it makes a lot of sense. So, I don’t think that it negatively affects me because I feel like my university still does the job of encouraging its students to go vote and be politically active,” said Antoinette L. Robinson, a second-year master of arts student majoring in political science with a concentration in American politics and a minor in Black politics from Fort Hood, Texas.
“As a student, I have to stand by my HBCUs decision and what the policy says, because they’re not only doing what they have to do to protect themselves but also their students,” Robinson said.
Jeremy Allman, a sophomore honors political science major from Queens, New York, and College of Arts and Sciences senator, agreed with Robinson about the policy not negatively affecting him.
“This policy doesn’t negatively impact me because I rely on my voice, not my position, to advocate for change. I’ll continue to do so, ensuring the policy doesn’t limit my ability to represent my constituents effectively,” Allman said.
The guidelines are common in other universities such as Georgetown University and Spelman College. Georgetown University prohibits the use of the University’s offices, facilities and funds, among other prohibitions. Spelman College, as a “non-profit, tax-exempt entity,” prohibits the use of its resources and facilities among other restrictions to students, staff and faculty. However, both universities allow them to engage in political activities when acting as an individual.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
