With all the usual caveats — yes, campus culture varies from place to place, and sure, your department might be different — I strongly recommend that candidates refrain from doing anything that might suggest a breach of propriety in any way, shape, or form.
Some colleges and universities go about hiring in ways that might be described as loosey-goosey or just plain disorganized. Others proceed carefully, terrified that any accusations of preferential treatment or nepotism might lead to lawsuits.
