School Spotlight
Loyola University Chicago
Speech Code Rating
- At present, FIRE does not maintain information on this school's policies.
Loyola University Chicago: “Media Relations Policy” Restricts Student Journalists’ Access to Faculty and Staff Sources
February 18, 2019
In 2018, Loyola University Chicago instituted a “Media Relations Policy” in order to further its “brand” — ostensibly as an institution that stands for freedom of inquiry. That policy required faculty and staff to obtain public relations staff approval for any “statements” to the media, expressly including the student newspaper. That frustrated student journalists’ efforts… Read more
Loyola University Chicago: Censorship of “Free Speech Wall”
April 21, 2014
Administrators tried to tell students that they would have to censor its “free speech wall.”
Loyola Chicago adopts FIRE’s recommendations, improves media relations policy
May 23, 2019
Following complaints from student journalists that Loyola University Chicago’s media relations policy frustrated their attempts to reach school faculty and staff in a timely fashion, Loyola has revised the policy in question. Loyola’s policy change comes as a result of significant input from various campus stakeholders as well as from FIRE. The university is to… Read more
FIRE and PEN America call on Loyola University Chicago to rescind absurd ‘Media Relations Policy’
February 18, 2019
Loyola University Chicago’s “Mission and Vision” is to be a “world-renowned urban center … that values freedom of inquiry.” In order to “protect and enhance” that “brand and reputation,” all faculty and staff are required to have any statements to any journalist — expressly including the student newspaper — pre-approved by a member of the… Read more
2018 FIRE Faculty Conference: proposals due April 30!
April 12, 2018
Mark your calendars: There are just two and a half weeks left to submit your proposals for the 2018 FIRE Faculty Conference! FIRE welcomes paper and poster proposals from faculty and advanced graduate students working in any discipline or at any institution. Please see the conference’s call for proposals for more details. We’ll be accepting… Read more
2018 FIRE Faculty Conference: Coming to Chicago this fall
March 30, 2018
FIRE is excited to announce that our 2018 Faculty Conference will take place from Oct. 11-13 in Chicago, Illinois, at Loyola University Chicago’s downtown Water Tower campus, with accommodations at the nearby Omni Hotel. If you’re a faculty member or advanced graduate student who is interested in presenting a paper or a poster at the… Read more
Hannibal Buress has his mic cut off at Loyola University Chicago
March 20, 2018
Comedian Hannibal Buress had his mic cut off at Loyola University Chicago last Saturday after a joke about the university’s restrictions on his act. Buress was booked to perform at an annual event open to students for Loyola’s Department of Programming at the Gentile Arena on campus. According to reports from the Loyola Phoenix, Loyola’s… Read more
Following Protests, Loyola Chicago Releases Improved Demonstration Policy
March 24, 2016
After protests this past November opened a dialogue between students, faculty, and administrators about the right to freely demonstrate on campus, Loyola University Chicago (LUC) has revised its demonstration policy, affirming and expanding free speech rights at the university. On November 12, over 700 students, staff, and community members demonstrated at LUC to protest racism… Read more
Students, Admins Cite ‘Safe Spaces’ in Seeking Limits to Media Coverage
November 23, 2015
One of many noteworthy aspects of the recent protests over racial inequality on dozens of America’s college campuses has been the effort by some protesters to bar members of the press in the name of creating a “safe space” to air their grievances. Many students have voiced concerns that the media would mischaracterize the story… Read more
Loyola University Chicago Backs Down from Demands That Students Censor Free Speech Wall
May 12, 2014
In April, Loyola University Chicago informed a student group planning a “free speech wall” event that it would be required to censor any messages that were “grossly offensive” or “contrary to the University’s Catholic, Jesuit mission and heritage.” After FIRE wrote to remind Loyola of its obligation to honor its promises of broad expressive rights on campus, Loyola backed down from its demands that students censor each other, and the event transpired as planned. FIRE is pleased that Loyola ultimately respected its students’ free speech rights and hopes that it will continue to do so in the future.