{"id":36057,"date":"2025-10-17T10:03:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T17:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/policies\/?page_id=36057"},"modified":"2025-10-27T11:59:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T18:59:39","slug":"ethics-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/policies\/ethics\/ethics-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethics – Use of Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Use of State Resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

State resources apply to all resources under an employee\u2019s control including, but not limited, to university facilities, state employees, equipment (e.g. laptop computers, printers, cameras, cell phones, etc.), vehicles, consumable resources (paper, pens, postage, sticky notes, paperclips), and state information (e.g. databases and employee lists). The use of grant funds or other funds does not modify status as a state resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prohibited Uses<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

State resources may not be used for the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political activities <\/strong>(campaign\/ballot measures), there is a limited exception for employee\u2019s whose job includes performing political role on behalf of the University e.g. EWU Director of Governmental Relations.
Any use of resources for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of a person to an office or for the promotion of or opposition to a ballot proposition. While an election or initiative is pending, employees are prohibited from using university resources to distribute newspaper articles, editorial opinions, blogs, tweets, etc. that would tend to support or oppose a candidate for public office, an initiative, or a referendum. Examples of prohibited activities include, but are not limited to: using work hours to solicit signature for ballot propositions, sending e-mails advocating for or against candidates, using University contact information to distribute materials, or using University property to campaign for or against a candidate or ballot measure. Faculty are permitted to distribute such materials for classroom instruction. Additionally, a supervisor\u2019s knowing acquiescence to an employee\u2019s use of state resources for campaigning purposes is a violation of the law. Any use of resources for the purpose of participating in or assisting in an effort to lobby members of congress, the state legislature or other federal or state agency representatives is prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illegal activities<\/strong>. Illegal activities may include, but are not limited to, illegal discrimination, illegal pornography, copyright infringement, and license infringement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use resources for outside business\/ commercial activities, even non-profit<\/strong>. This means University offices or laboratories may not be used as a place of business for an employee\u2019s outside enterprise; University affiliations and titles may not be used in connection with an outside business in any manner which misrepresents the University\u2019s association with that business; employees must clearly acknowledge the independent nature of their outside work from their University responsibilities; University stationery and other office or consumable supplies may not be used by an employee in the conduct of an outside business; University resources may not be used for product sales (online book sales or referral links to book publishers or sales houses), even though not for remuneration; University telephone numbers and addresses, including email and web addresses, may not be used or listed regarding an employee\u2019s outside business or paid consulting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting, promoting or soliciting for an outside organization or groups<\/strong>. Any use for the purpose of supporting, promoting the interests of, or soliciting for an outside organization or group, including, but not limited to, a private business, a nonprofit organization, or a political party. Exception: Supporting an outside group is allowed if provided for by law or authorized by the University President or designee when such use promotes organizational effectiveness (e.g. conducting the Combined Fund Drive as authorized by law and approved by the President or designee; or organizing a campus blood drive when approved by the President or designee).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal use of state property outside university facilities<\/strong>. University property, including equipment, tools, materials and supplies may not be removed from university facilities and used by employees for personal or private activities, even if there is no cost to the state, i.e. use of University tools or equipment for home improvement projects. Taking university property for personal use, even property that is to be salvaged or disposed of, is prohibited unless an employee complies with all of the university\u2019s surplus property procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific Union Activities<\/strong>

Conduct that may directly conflict with the Ethics in Public Service Act, such as the use of state resources to support or oppose a ballot initiative, or a candidate to public office, or efforts to lobby on matters of interest to the Union are prohibited. Also prohibited are the use of state resources for Union activities that are not reasonably related to the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, such as Union organizing, internal Union business, or advocating for a Union in a certification, union shop, or other election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acceptable Personal Use<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

State resources may be used for personal use if de minimis and meets all of the following conditions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n