Trump to rally at IUP venue with separate rules from campus political event ban

Former President Donald Trump is planning a campaign rally at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a state-owned campus that expressly prohibits “activities for the purpose of advancing a single political candidate or party” in any university-­controlled facility.

That prohibition, though, apparently does not apply to the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, a university-­owned venue less than a mile down the road from IUP’s Old Main administration building and the expected site of Monday’s rally.

Guidelines for facility use at IUP, dated November 2020, include a preface saying the Kovalchick operates under a separate set of guidelines developed by its management “under the supervision of IUP’s vice president for Administration and Finance or his/her designee.”

A “building policies” tab on the Kovalchick website does not directly address political gatherings but says: “Banners, posters and signs are not permitted in the facility. You will be asked to return them to your vehicle or dispose of them upon entry.”

It also prohibits use of professional recording equipment during events.

IUP contracts with Oak View Group to manage the 13-year-old venue containing a 5,000-seat arena. Mary Ann Lambros, an employee of the firm and the Kovalchick’s general manager, did not return phone and email messages left for her Wednesday.

Debra Fitzsimons, vice president for administration and finance at IUP, also could not be reached.

IUP spokeswoman Michelle Fryling said she’s unaware of any language allowing or prohibiting political events in the Koval­chick, and thus the university considers the use acceptable.

She noted Democratic then-U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman held a campaign event there in 2022. She drew a parallel with Trump’s appearance.

“While at an IUP facility, this is not a university-sponsored event,” she told TribLive on Wednesday. “The event is to be held at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, which is excepted from the guidelines and procedures you reference.

“As a public institution, IUP supports free speech rights provided for in the Pennsylvania and United States constitutions.”

Fryling said a written agreement exists between IUP and the Trump campaign regarding the event but did not provide a copy and did not estimate potential university-related costs, including public safety to ensure a successful and safe event.

Fryling referred further questions to the Trump campaign. An official there could not immediately be reached.

Doors to the Trump event open at 3 p.m. Monday. He is expected to speak at 7 p.m.

IUP, on its website, lists Guidelines and Procedures for Requesting Facility Use. It says: “While there may be multiple reasons why the use of a facility may be denied, there are a few activities that are expressly prohibited in university-controlled facilities. In no case will the use of university facilities be approved when the purpose for use includes any of the following …”

The first prohibited use listed is “Activities for the purpose of advancing a single political candidate or party.”

IUP is one of 10 member universities in the State System of Higher Education.

Kevin Hensil, a State System spokesman, said Wednesday that decisions on allowing such events are left to individual universities.

Slippery Rock University allows such events, provided the university is not perceived to endorse a party or candidate.

“As a state-supported university, federal tax law requires the university to remain politically neutral and prohibits any participation, directly or indirectly, in the campaign of any candidate or political party,” the university’s guidelines state. “While Slippery Rock University welcomes all political candidates and parties, it cannot support, endorse or promote any political candidate.”

Pennsylvania Western University spokeswoman Wendy Mackall said political parties can apply to hold such events. Bill Clinton appeared at what was then Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and, that same year, Hillary Rodham Clinton came to California University of Pennsylvania.

The Kovalchick Center officially opened in March 2011. Its facilities include the 5,000-seat Ed Fry Arena; the 630-seat Toretti Auditorium; 17,000 square feet of conference space, divided into nine rooms; and a 6,000-square-foot corporate training and executive conference center, according to IUP officials.

Fryling said she did not know why a distinction was made between the Kovalchick and other university-owned facilities.

“I wasn’t involved in drafting that policy,” she said.

Fryling said she did not know if any changes to the policy covering IUP generally or the Kovalchick Center specifically are planned.

The Trump rally so far has not been added to the center’s list of upcoming events. As of Wednesday afternoon, the calendar showed no events for Monday.