Troy University: Speech Code Litigation

Case Materials

Media Coverage

  • "FIRE Lawsuit Charges Alabama School With Stifling Free Speech," Jim Brown, Agape Press, November 7, 2005: Troy University in Alabama is being sued over policies that allegedly stifle free speech on campus. The lawsuit being coordinated by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) targets a speech code at the university -- a policy banning age- or religion-related jokes, "derogatory" comments about gender, gossip, and "insulting" or "suggestive" remarks.
  • "Troy U. Sued Over Speech Code and Art Censorship," Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed, November 1, 2005: FIRE, a civil liberties group, is strongly critical of speech codes in higher education and has been suing or threatening to sue public colleges with codes that the group considers particularly offensive. To date, four colleges and universities have changed their policies following such suits.
  • "Troy University sued for alleged First Amendment violation," Ken Rogers, The Messenger (Troy, Ala.), November 1, 2005: The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) filed a federal lawsuit against Troy University on Monday accusing the school of First Amendment violations by maintaining a restrictive speech code and censoring student artwork two years ago.
  • "Student sues after university censors nude photographs," Kim Peterson, Student Press Law Center, November 1, 2005: The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against Troy University in Alabama for a speech code FIRE’s President David French called "incompatible with a free society."
  • "Troy art student sues after nude photos banned," Thomas Spencer, The Birmingham News, November 1, 2005: An art student sued Troy University on Monday, saying the school violated his free speech rights by censoring his artwork and implementing a campus speech code that unconstitutionally restricts speech.
  • "Student sues Troy University over removal of nude photographs," Associated Press State and Local Wire, October 31, 2005: A Troy University student sued the school Monday claiming his rights of free speech and expression were violated when three photographs of male nudity were removed from a campus exhibit that opened in fall 2003.