The following is a note from John Russell, UNMC’s assistant vice chancellor for business and finance and executive director for human resources.
With the national presidential election just a month away, opinions about the candidates and the potential outcome are being hotly debated across the country and on-campus.
UNMC employees are strongly urged to participate in the political process through voting and public discussions during their personal time, within the constraints of working for a public organization.
Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat.ยง49-14,101.02, public employees are not permitted to use public property under their control for the purposes of campaigning for or against the nomination or election of a candidate or the passage or defeat of a ballot question.
This same statute prohibits a state employee from engaging in campaign activity while on government work time or when otherwise engaged in official work duties.
This would include, but is not limited to, posting political campaign signs on the walls of UNMC-owned cubicles, offices, labs, hallways and/or using the campus telephone, e-mail or mail delivery system for the purposes listed above, whether in an actual or virtual means.
Anyone with questions or concerns regarding this issue may contact Human Resources at 559-5489 or atuttle@unmc.edu.