The Office of Government and Community Relations works with faculty, staff, students, parents, community leaders, and organizations on behalf of issues affecting UC and UC Santa Barbara. Our office engages, educates, and advocates on UC and UC Santa Barbara priorities at the federal, state, and local level.

Learn about UC Santa Barbara's advocacy guidelines below.

Advocacy Guidelines at UC Santa Barbara

Due to the University’s 501(c)(3) status and because we are a state entity, there are legal restrictions around the types of political activities campus employees can engage in on behalf of UC Santa Barbara. When engaging on issues, generally informational activities are permissible while campaign activities on behalf of candidates or ballot initiatives are not. Follow these dos and don’ts to be successful in your advocacy efforts.

UC Santa Barbara Advocacy

Dos:

  • Engage in local, statewide and federal legislative advocacy in coordination with UC Santa Barbara's Office of Government and Community Relations to promote and protect our core mission of teaching, research, and public service.  UC Santa Barbara only engages in advocacy once the UC Office of the President (UCOP) adopts a formal position on legislation.

  • Join the UC Advocacy Network and stand up for values and policies that are fundamental to our mission. Sign up today to learn more about opportunities to engage in policy change, advocacy trainings, events and more.

  • Prepare objective analysis (including for bills and ballot measures) that fairly presents the facts and uses objective language. 

  • Organize non-partisan events on campus, such as voter registration drives, debates, or neutral public forums where all sides of an issue are represented.

  • Coordinate with the Office of Government and Community Relations about how best to share your expertise, such as providing testimony or public comment during a hearing, or sharing your research or position with a decision-maker via email or in a meeting. Let us know when you have personal plans to travel to D.C. or Sacramento to determine opportunities to meet with legislative representatives in your UC Santa Barbara capacity.

  • Connect with UC Santa Barbara Government and Community Relations staff before:
    • Meeting with elected officials or their staff in Santa Barbara, Sacramento, or Washington D.C. on UC Santa Barbara business 
    • Inviting elected officials to UC Santa Barbara events, both on or off campus

Don'ts:

  • Don't endorse or oppose legislation in your UC Santa Barbara capacity without UC taking a position and campus authorization – when in doubt, check with Government Relations.

  • Don't contribute to candidates or state ballot measures on behalf of UC Santa Barbara.

  • Don't distribute statements in support of candidates or ballot measures influencing people to support or oppose a measure or candidate on behalf of UC Santa Barbara.

  • Don’t link to campaign websites from Santa Barbara.edu accounts.

  • Don’t risk the consequences, which could include revocation of UC’s tax-exempt status; criminal and civil penalties for misuse of state resources; the need to personally reimburse the university for improper use of campus funds; discredit research; and hurt Santa Barbara’s reputation and your advocacy efforts.

Personal Advocacy

Dos:

  • You may engage in personal political activity in your private capacity (i.e. apart from your role as a UC Santa Barbara employee) such as writing op-eds, engaging in social media, making phone calls, and speaking at events - on your own time and using personal resources. Offer a disclaimer if appropriate, such as “I am a professor employed at UC Santa Barbara, speaking today on my own behalf” or “My title is for identification purposes only; this endorsement is made in a personal capacity and does not represent the views of the university.” 

  • Attend town halls and forums on your own time and ask questions about an issue you care about. Let your representative know you are an engaged constituent, and offer your expertise.

  • Join professional advocacy organizations that represent your interests or profession to support issues you care about on your own time.

  • Donate to and personally support political candidates with your own funds. 

  • Follow advocacy best practices: tell your unique story, keep your message simple and succinct (avoid academic/scientific jargon), advocate for issues in your district, and make a clear ask.

Don'ts:

  • Don’t use University resources for partisan political activities, including UCSB email, copy machines and printers, stationery/letterhead, facilities (classrooms, libraries, meeting space), financial accounts, name, insignia, logo, and/or seal, or through UC Santa Barbara social media.

  • Don’t use paid time for individual advocacy efforts (use vacation or leave if engaging during work hours)

  • Don’t give the appearance of acting on behalf of the campus (e.g. using UC Santa Barbara letterhead) unless specifically authorized to do so.

  • Don’t distribute or display campaign materials on campus, including public ratings of candidates.

  • Don’t invite candidates to promote their campaign on campus.

  • Don’t create any confusion about your official UC Santa Barbara vs. private role.

To help UC employees better understand and follow these rules, the Office of the General Counsel offers a number of resources: