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Cases

Help When You Need It Most

Each year, FIRE reviews thousands of potential cases involving individuals and groups whose rights are threatened. FIRE’s team of legal and advocacy experts have decades of experience protecting free speech both on and off college campuses. Learn more about FIRE’s civil liberties cases.

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Case Archive

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Portland State University

Portland State University: University Refers Student to Bias Team for Dressing as Nazi for Costume Contest

University’s referral to the bias team comes with implicit threat of discipline

Advocacy

San Diego State University

San Diego State University: University Investigates Video of Individuals Dressed as P. Diddy and Baby Oil for Halloween

The university is looking to identify the two individuals, suggesting discipline may be meted out

Advocacy

University of Vermont Students for Justice in Palestine v. The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College

FIRE filed a motion for leave to submit an amicus brief in support of neither party in a dispute over the University of Vermont’s interim ban on “all organizational activities.”

Amicus Brief

American University

American University: University Summons Student Organization to Meeting with Administrators Over Political Meme

After a student complained to American University about a meme posted on social media by the College Republicans, administrators summoned the group to a meeting to discuss the complainant’s concerns

Advocacy

Emporia State University

Emporia State University: Student Handbook Prohibits Free Expression in University Buildings

Vague policy burdens student speech and risks subjective enforcement

Advocacy

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Administrators Demand Housing Student Employees Get Permission Before Speaking with Media

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Housing tells students employed by the department they must get approval from the Housing Director before speaking about personal concerns.

FIRE Victory Advocacy

Pennsylvania State University - University Park

Pennsylvania State University: Administrators Take Down Student Paper’s Newsstands, Steal Issues Over Political Advertising

After fully defunding the student-run Daily Collegian last year, Penn State administrators delivered another blow, demanding the paper stop selling newsstand ads

Advocacy

Princeton University

Princeton University: Student Group Forced to Host Podcast Off-Campus

Princeton University banned the Whig-Cliophilic Society from hosting a live episode of the Advisory Opinions podcast on campus, misconstruing IRS regulations.

Advocacy

Middletown Public Schools: School district places numerous “civility” restrictions on students, staff, parents, and visitors

FIRE wrote to the board of Connecticut’s Middletown Public Schools outlining the constitutional problems with its civility policy and urging the board to revise the policy.

Advocacy

Western Washington University