Reminder on Political Activities

As the Commonwealth begins another Virginia General Assembly Session, please remember that there are both Virginia Community College System and NOVA policies regarding employee engagement in political activities:

From VCCS Policy 3.14.7.6 Political Activities and Public Office:
The VCCS recognizes and encourages the exercise of the right of VCCS employees, as citizens, to engage in political activities on their own time.

From NOVA General Policy 416:
Northern Virginia Community College recognizes and encourages the exercise of the right of NOVA employees, as citizens, to engage in political activities on their own time.

NOVA appreciates its role as a marketplace of ideas and supports the rights of our employees to make comments in a personal capacity on their own time and without the use of College resources. However, speaking on behalf of NOVA is different. Here is relevant language from the College’s media relations policy (IT and Communications Policy Number 520):

Expression of Opinions:  When expressing personal opinions, employees should note that they are not College representatives unless specifically designated as a College spokesperson on the issue.

Submitted by:
T. Dana Kauffman, Director of Government Relations, TKauffman@nvcc.edu