NCCU Fall Elections: Campaign Rules, Procedures, and Key Dates

Overview and Scope

  • This document consolidates rules, procedures, and practical guidance for NCCU student elections (SGA, and Mister/Miss NCCU). It covers campaign staffing, material approvals, event reservations, conduct, timelines, and the hearings/discipline process.

  • Emphasis on professional conduct, adherence to university branding standards, and respect for peers and the campus community.

  • All actions and materials must align with the Constitution and Elections Handbook (sent via EagleLink). A QR code to these resources will be provided during practice.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Elections Director

    • Approves campaign events at least ten days in advance.

    • May extend the election duration in cases of extreme technical difficulties, in coordination with the SGA Advisor.

  • Elections Committee / Elections Board

    • Reviews violation reports within 24 hours of receipt.

    • Conducts hearings if warranted; both accuser and accused may present their case; decisions communicated within 24 hours of the decision.

    • Can impose disqualification or other penalties.

  • Advisors and Faculty/Staff

    • A designated faculty/staff member must attend campaign events from start to finish (Student Engagement and Leadership staff are exempt from serving as assigned staff).

  • Campaign Manager

    • Each candidate must appoint a campaign manager who is a NCCU student and not running for another NCCU office.

    • The campaign manager cannot be the candidate’s running partner for the same election (e.g., a candidate for President cannot have a campaign manager who is running for President too).

  • Campaign Team Accountability

    • Candidates are responsible for the actions of their campaign team, even if they don’t have direct knowledge of every action.

    • Current elected officials (e.g., current SGA members) cannot openly support a candidate during election time (no campaign attire, no social media support, etc.).

Campaign Materials: Prohibited Content and Branding

  • Logos and mottos

    • SGA logos, NCCU logos, and any NCCU slogan/motto cannot be used on flyers or campaign materials.

  • Materials ownership

    • Materials or supplies belonging to Student Association are prohibited for campaign use.

  • Representation and language

    • Campaign materials must portray the university positively; no profanity, inappropriate attire, gang signs, or inappropriate backgrounds.

    • Campaigning style should be respectful even outside campaign season.

  • Social media content

    • All social media accounts that will post campaign materials must be provided to the Elections Committee for approval prior to posting.

    • If a flyer/post is posted without prior approval, it may be removed.

  • Approval stamp requirements

    • Flyers placed inside residential halls must have a Residential Life stamp after committee approval.

    • Flyers placed outside residential halls or in non-residential university spaces require approval from Physical Plant.

    • If you plan to use outside spaces (signs, banners, cups, fences), take note of Physical Plant contact details (a phone number is provided for access).

  • Documentation

    • All campaign approvals must be in writing and kept on file for the duration of the election period.

  • Content supervision

    • Campaign materials that include photos, backgrounds, or messaging should be reviewed to ensure alignment with guidelines; Social media content must be pre-approved before posting.

  • Prohibited campaigning venues

    • Campaigning around polling stations on election day is prohibited (including computer labs, workstations, personal devices and any campus area).

Approvals, Contacts, and Submission Process

  • Social media and campaign materials inquiries

    • Email the Elections Committee (Carrington, Aaron, or Caitlin) with the list of social media platforms that will post campaign materials.

    • If social media accounts are not shared, posts like flyers on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok may be pulled down.

  • Sharing and tracing materials

    • If you need to use a space, you must coordinate with the Elections Director and provide the necessary information for approval.

  • Submission channels for campaign materials

    • Campaign materials must be submitted via EagleLink Google Docs (docs provided by the Elections Committee).

    • You may be asked to provide a digital or physical copy of your flyer for stamping/approval.

  • Important contacts

    • Email the Elections Committee members (e.g., Caitlin, Carrington, Erin) for initial questions; the Elections Director is the primary point of contact for approvals.

  • Documentation and transparency

    • Written approvals must be retained; keep copies of all communications about where and when you may promote your campaign.

Campaign Materials: Residential vs Non-Residential Spaces

  • Residential halls

    • All flyers/posters inside residential halls must be approved and stamped by Residential Life.

    • After approval, print a photo of the flyer/poster to take to Residential Life for stamping; if a stamp is missing, posting is not allowed.

  • Non-residential spaces (campus-wide and outside residential halls)

    • Materials outside residential halls require Physical Plant approval.

    • You may photograph the contact information for Physical Plant if you need to reach them quickly.

  • Prohibited placement

    • Do not place flyers on doors, windows, light poles, stop signs, crosswalks, trash cans, etc. Picket signs and other large materials require Physical Plant coordination.

  • Post-approval expectations

    • If a flyer is approved, you must comply with the stamp and placement requirements; failure to do so may lead to removal and potential penalties.

  • Documentation for Miss/Mister Freshman pageant materials

    • Pageant materials follow separate rules (e.g., attire, category requirements) but still require approvals for materials used during the campaign season.

Scheduling, Reservations, and Campaign Events

  • Reservations and event requirements

    • Campaign events with amplified sound, long duration, or large gatherings require a reservation and an assigned faculty/staff member from start to finish.

    • Two reservations per day are allowed; reservations must be under the candidate’s name (not the campaign manager’s).

    • Reservations are processed via Google Docs; dates/times are honored in the order received.

  • Exceptions to reservation rules

    • Campaigning by simply passing out flyers around campus, or speaking to groups for less than 15 minutes, may not require a reservation.

    • If you plan multiple campaign activities on the same day, you may book up to two reservations for that day.

  • Required attendees and staff support

    • A faculty or staff member must attend campaign events from start to finish; Student Engagement and Leadership staff are exempt from serving as assigned staff for events.

  • Space usage and restrictions

    • Do not reuse a reserved space that has been released or given up by another candidate.

    • All events must be approved and reserved through the Elections Board.

  • Event duration

    • Campaign events should not exceed two hours.

  • Special notes for Miss/Mister Freshman events

    • The Miss/Mister Freshman process includes specific practice sessions and opportunities to speak or be recognized during events.

  • Accessibility and scheduling conflicts

    • If you have class or other obligations, email the Elections Committee in advance to note conflicts; attendance issues may be excused for emergencies, but unexcused absences can impact eligibility.

Speech, Debate Night, and Pageants

  • Speech and Debate Night (President/VP/Senators)

    • Presidents and Vice Presidents: 1 minute 30 seconds speech; two questions for presidents, one question for vice presidents and senators.

    • Questions are not rebuttals; no cross-questioning during the debate.

    • Attire for Speech/Debate Night and Meet & Greet: business casual attire; dress code for Mister/Miss candidates discussed separately.

  • Schedule and venue details

    • Practice and showcase sessions occur on multiple days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday) in Room 2319; meet and greet follows speeches on Monday after Speech & Debate Night.

    • Dates and timing details are provided in practice materials; candidates should photograph the dates for reference.

  • Mister/Miss Freshman process

    • Mister and Miss Freshman candidates will be grouped separately; participants and schedule will be explained during practices.

  • Attire specifics for Mister/Miss Freshman

    • Miss Freshman contestants must wear black stiletto pumps (no kitten heels, no chunky heels).

    • Outfits for Miss/Mister Freshman are candidate-funded by the participant; SGA does not purchase outfits.

    • Business professional, formal, and resort wear categories are used; guidance will be provided during first practice.

  • General practice guidance

    • Attendees should be in business casual or professional attire for the main events; casual wear is permitted for practice sessions, but sneakers are required for practice; more formal footwear may be required for Miss/Mister categories.

  • Roles during practice

    • Caitlin and Erin lead Miss/Mister Freshman practices; presidents/VPs/senators are led by the Elections Committee with support from Carrington and the Elections Director.

  • Candidate preparation tips

    • Begin drafting your campaign materials early; speeches can be drafted beforehand but will be refined during practice.

    • Budget considerations: some contestants may need to purchase outfits or materials; the committee will discuss options during first pageant practice.

Attire, Attendance, and Conduct

  • Practice attire and expectations

    • Casual wear is allowed for practice days (e.g., jeans, sneakers; no Crocs, no crop tops); sneakers are required.

    • For Speech & Debate Night and official events, business casual attire is required; Mister/Miss events may have additional requirements (e.g., black pumps for Miss Freshman).

  • Attendance policies

    • If you have a class conflict, email the Elections Committee in advance; unexcused absences can impact eligibility.

  • Conduct standards

    • Bullying or disparaging other candidates is prohibited and may lead to consequences.

    • Avoid talking negatively about other campaigns during the campaign week; focus on promoting your own platform.

  • Social media content approvals

    • All social media content related to campaigning should be approved before posting; committee reviews posts in advance.

Violation Handling, Hearings, and Consequences

  • Report submission and evidence

    • Any student, faculty, staff, or administrator may report violations with proof; anonymous reports are not accepted.

    • Reports must include: name, email, phone, date/time/location of the violation, and the specific rule violated. A copy of the relevant rule should be cited.

  • Timeline for handling violations

    • Violations are reviewed within 24 hours of receipt.

    • If warranted, a violation hearing is scheduled; the accused is notified at least 48 hours in advance.

    • Both accuser and accused have the right to present their side; the Elections Board makes a decision and communicates outcome within 24 hours of the decision.

  • Outcomes and penalties

    • Dismissal: the case is dismissed if no violation is found.

    • Warnings: can lead to disqualification for ongoing or serious violations.

    • Disqualification: if warranted, the director may reschedule or initiate a disqualification hearing; a runoff may be required if there is a tie.

  • Tie-breaking and elections logistics

    • If two or more candidates tie, a runoff election must occur within two days after the first election.

    • Any special elections require approvals from the Student Government President, Vice President, Elections Director, and SGA Adviser.

  • Runoff and special elections timing

    • Runoff must occur within 2 ext{ days} of the initial election; special elections require explicit approvals.

Important Dates and Timelines (Fall Elections Reference)

  • Campaign start

    • Campaigning can begin on ext{Wed, Sept 3 at } 8 ext{ AM}.

  • Campaign limit and day-by-day notes

    • Campaign materials and social media accounts must be approved prior to posting; non-approved postings must be removed.

    • Campaign events require approvals and reservations per the rules above.

  • Voting period

    • Voting opens on Sept ext{. }10 ext{ at }9 ext{ AM} and closes on Sept ext{. }11 ext{ at }9 ext{ AM}.

    • Campaigning must cease by the start of voting day; the rule states: you cannot campaign up to and during the voting period starting on Sept 10.

  • Lead-up events and practice schedule

    • Speech & Debate Night occurs on the designated date after practices; showcase and meet-and-greet occur in the same week with specific timing.

  • Date note

    • A slide in the presentation includes a date reference for spring elections; the current context is fall elections and some slides may contain outdated references.

  • Post-election cleanup policy

    • All campaign materials must be removed within 48 ext{ hours} after the election period starts/ends; failure to do so can incur a cleanup fee charged to the candidate’s account.

  • Reporting deadlines for violations

    • Violation reports must be submitted within the window stated by the Elections Committee; late filings may not be considered.

Resources, Access, and Additional Guidance

  • Primary documents

    • The Constitution and Election Handbook are the governing documents; both will be provided via EagleLink and QR codes on slides.

  • Quick-reference tools

    • A Google Doc and EagleLink form are used to submit reservations and campaign materials.

    • The Elections Committee can provide timelines, contact information, and practice schedules during the first practice.

  • FAQs and common concerns

    • If you have questions about buildings, spaces (e.g., Greek Bowl), or where you can campaign, the committee will direct you to the appropriate building manager or contact for approvals.

  • First-practical steps

    • Email the committee with your social media accounts you intend to use for campaigns.

    • Start drafting your flyer content and your candidate statement.

    • Prepare for practice dates, which are posted in advance (Room 2319).

Quick Summary for Exam Review

  • Approvals are mandatory for events and materials; ten days lead time for event approvals; written approvals kept on file.

  • Do not use NCCU/SGA logos or slogans; do not use association supplies; maintain professional, respectful conduct.

  • All campaign content must be reviewed before posting on social media; campus-wide postings require proper approvals.

  • Campaign events require reservations (two per day max) and must have a faculty/staff presence for the duration.

  • Voting window and campaigning window are clearly defined; campaigning must end before the voting opens.

  • Violations are handled by the Elections Committee with a defined process; penalties include warnings and potential disqualification, with runoff rules in place for ties.

  • Speech & Debate Night has strict time limits; Miss/Mister Freshman have specific dress and preparation requirements.

  • Documentation, receipts, and stamping are essential for campaign legitimacy; keep copies and be ready to present them in hearings.

  • Contacts and resources (Elections Committee, Erin/Caitlin/Carrington, EagleLink) are your go-tos for questions, submissions, and scheduling.

  • If you understand these points, you should be able to navigate campaign setup, comply with rules, prepare for speeches, and engage in the process without risking disqualification. PPP