Delaware State University: Confidentiality Agreement Required for Students Joining Campus Safety Committee

In March 2023, Delaware State University required all students seeking to join Safe Space Coalition committees, tasked with assessing campus safety, to sign confidentiality agreements banning them from discussing “​​any and all information related to . . . [their] participation as a committee member.” On March 15, FIRE called on the university to rescind this requirement, explaining that the agreements are an unconstitutional prior restraint on student expression and violate students’ First Amendment right to discuss public issues. In a March 17 statement, DSU President Tony Allen admirably admitted that the confidentiality agreements were imposed in error and said they had been rescinded.

University of Denver: Law School Restricts Protests to ‘Free Speech Zones,’ Chills Event Organizers’ Speech

FIRE wrote Denver Law after it restricted the rights of both student event organizers and event protesters.

University of California, Santa Cruz: University’s Restrictions on Interviews with Reporters Violate the First Amendment

UCSC censors not only the press, but also its employees, by requiring interview requests be funneled through administration.

The Ohio State University: Faculty Applicants Required to Submit Diversity Statements

OSU joins a growing number of schools requiring DEI statements as part of faculty applications.

Lewis-Clark State College: Administration Orders Art Exhibit Curator to Remove Abortion-Themed Pieces

Lewis-Clark State College cites Idaho law prohibiting the state from promoting or facilitating abortions as reason for removing abortion-themed artwork from exhibit.

Stanford University: Law Students, Administrator Disrupt Federalist Society Event Featuring 5th Circuit Judge

FIRE wrote Stanford after a Fifth Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan attempted to speak at a Federalist Society-organized event at Stanford Law School when dozens of protesters heckled him, preventing him from finishing his remarks, and an administrator questioned the university's commitment to free speech.

Lafayette College: Students for Justice in Palestine Chapter Denied Based on Viewpoint

FIRE wrote Lafayette College after it denied recognition to a prospective Students for Justice in Palestine chapter based on events organized by other SPJ chapters, the potential relationship the chapter could have with a recognized Jewish student group, and proposed ideas prospective members had for the group, which include walkouts from Zionist speakers’ events.

Trinity University: Administrators Require Student-Invited Speaker to Purchase Liability Insurance for Speaking Appearance Because of Her Last Name

Berge v. School Committee of Gloucester

When a concerned parent met with his child’s school superintendent, he informed the administration that he would be filming the encounter and potentially sharing it with others. At the time, no one raised any concerns and the school officials allowed him to film—until that parent, plaintiff Inge Berge, posted the video online along with commentary criticizing the school. Suddenly, the school district threatened him with a lawsuit, wrongfully claiming that his recording violated the Massachusetts Wiretapping Statute.

Stanford University: Flyers Promoting College Republicans Event Torn Down, Burned