Laura Beltz
FIRE Staff Speaker
Director of Policy Reform
Policy Reform Team
Laura Beltz is a Philadelphia-area native who graduated from Penn State University with a B.A. in English through the Schreyer Honors College. She is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and is a member of the Pennsylvania state bar. At Penn Law, Laura was an associate editor of the Journal of Constitutional Law, and completed internships with FIRE and the National Constitution Center.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking — especially when there’s an opportunity to visit a craft brewery afterwards.
Recent Writings
- Troy University bans ‘insensitive language’ on campus,
- New FIRE report: Overbroad harassment policies tank school ratings across the country, including UT Dallas,
- Unconstitutional University of Houston-Downtown policy bans ‘offensive’ emails,
- FIRE submits concerns over Harvard harassment policy proposals,
- FIRE’s five steps for college presidents to support free speech,
- Skidmore College tanks in FIRE’s College Free Speech Rankings,
- The University of Massachusetts Lowell bans students from sending or viewing ‘offensive’ material online,
- Glenville State University says offensive name calling, jokes, pictures, and objects are sexual harassment ‘in any setting’ ,
- Lake Superior State University bans posters deemed ‘offensive, sexist, vulgar,’ or ‘suggestive’,
- Northwestern Oklahoma State University bans students from promoting ‘causes’ without administrative approval ,
- Davenport University policy promises free speech, bans ‘hate speech’ and ‘offensive language’ just three paragraphs later,
- Unconstitutional policy in Colorado bans posters with ‘hate speech’,
- Suspension over profanity-laced video highlights unconstitutional policy at Ferris State,
- New policy at Vanderbilt requires adherence to university’s values, bars appeals,
- Tufts’ ban on ‘political leafleting’ emblematic of private universities’ failings nationwide,
- St. Olaf College threatens consequences over ‘offensive’ speech ,
- A scary policy could bring a chilling end to Lehigh students’ Halloween fun,
- September 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Sacramento State University,
- August 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Kean University,
- University of Nebraska leadership defends academic freedom after anti-CRT proposal,
- July 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Haverford College,
- June 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Cornell University,
- May 2021 Speech Code of the Month: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh,
- April 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Union College,
- March 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Barnard College,
- February 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Johns Hopkins University,
- January 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Northern Vermont University,
- December 2020 Speech Code of the Month: University of Colorado Denver,
- November 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Santa Clara University,
- October 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Bemidji State University,
- September 2020 Speech Code of the Month: University of Texas at Arlington,
- Syracuse University adopts even worse policies for free speech, threatens to hold bystanders accountable,
- August 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Tennessee State University,
- Dartmouth revises one restrictive speech code, yet concerns remain in light of Title IX regulations,
- July 2020 Speech Code of the Month: California State University, Fresno,
- Worst IT Policies: Massachusetts College of Art and Design,
- Political Speech On Campus-A Practical Look at University Policies and Regulations,
- June 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Georgetown University,
- Worst IT Policies: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s email policy,
- Worst IT Policies: Civility Edition,
- May 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Eastern Illinois University,
- Worst IT Policies: Macalester College’s ‘Social Media/Social Networking’ policy,
- April 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Fordham University,
- March 2020 Speech Code of the Month: University of Alaska Anchorage,
- February 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Frostburg State University,
- January 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Morehead State University,
- December 2019 Speech Code of the Month: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth,
- November 2019 Speech Code of the Month: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
- October 2019 Speech Code of the Month: Furman University,
- September 2019 Speech Code of the Month: Mount Holyoke College,
- August 2019 Speech Code of the Month: Mansfield University of Pennsylvania,
- July 2019 Speech Code of the Month: California State University Channel Islands,
- June 2019 Speech Code of the Month: University of Maine,
- May 2019 Speech Code of the Month: Stevens Institute of Technology,
- April 2019 Speech Code of the Month: Alabama A&M University,
- Lafayette College responds to Trump’s executive order and criticism from FIRE,
- March 2019 Speech Code of the Month: Davidson College,
- February Speech Code of the Month: University of New Orleans,
- Speech Code of the Month: University of Southern California,
- Speech Code of the Month: University of Montana Western,
- Speech Code of the Month: Northeastern University,
- Speech Code of the Month: Lafayette College,
- Speech Code of the Month: McNeese State University,
- Best of Newsdesk: Is speech suppression at religious colleges 'the invisible free speech crisis?',
- Speech Code of the Month: Shawnee State University,
- Is speech suppression at religious colleges 'the invisible free speech crisis?',
- UPDATE: University of Arkansas System adopts revised board policy,
- Canadian university responds commendably to free speech controversy, provides example for U.S. institutions,
- UNC Board of Governors to discuss system-wide free expression policy,
- Franklin & Marshall professor: Free-speech-friendly campuses start with education on speech codes and speech code reform,
- [UPDATED] Speakers at commencement ceremonies across the country focus remarks on free speech,
- Students absolved of both criminal charges and school sanctions after Ohio University protest,
- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Earns FIRE’s Highest Rating for Free Speech,
- FIRE Celebrates 50th Anniversary of 'Keyishian' Decision,
- More Campus Leaders Address Free Speech Following Election,
- Heterodox Academy Releases Guide to Colleges that Incorporates FIRE Ratings,
- Washington University in St. Louis Endorses Version of the Chicago Statement,
- Speech Code of the Month: Clemson University,
- Following Protests, Loyola Chicago Releases Improved Demonstration Policy,
- Cleveland State Adopts New Campus Speech Policy, Shows Why It’s a ‘Green Light’ School,
- Careful Reform Needed to Reduce State FOIA Chilling of Academic Activity,
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