community group "incubator," legal issues raised
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As part of community engagement/outreach, our on campus sustainability group has helped develop a network of community members interested in food issues and local growers, called "Eating Local Foods." Now legal questions are raised that can put these efforts in jeopardy.
Since Spring 2008, the college has hosted/sponsored several public education events and programs and we have worked closely with members of the group to develop the leadership for "ELF" (or "Eating Local Foods"). ELF has recently decided to form a "cooperative" and launch online direct marketing, maybe by Spring 2011. Because ELF is so new, it has no resources or budget of its own.
One of the goals of our on campus sustainability group is to help ELF become more self-sustaining in 2010-2011 via a "fundraiser." Our CFO is,however, questioning the legality of a public institution (we are a "state community college" in Ohio) engaging in "fundraising" for a community group and will soon inquire with the State's attorney general regarding what we can and cannot do in our public engagement with "ELF."
Have other institutions experienced these kinds of challenges? What models are in use that will enable community colleges to "remain within the law" and yet to "reach out" to the community, "grow" and "launch" new community groups to develop the local economy and address pressing sustainability issues?
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It's an interesting question. Colleges and Universities by their nature provide platforms for all different viewpoints including political viewpoints without running afoul of the law. Direct financial support of a presumably "for profit" entity probably crosses the line for a public or private institution that receives state or federal funds. We offer students plenty of information when they ask us but stop short when they ask us for a bucket of paint to spruce up a local community center. On the other hand they are free to canvass the college consituents and community members individually for funds unrelated to the college mission. In their capacity as students they represent their own groups, not the college or the administration. I'd be interested in reading the opinion when it comes down.