School Spotlight

Seattle University
Speech Code Rating
- At present, FIRE does not maintain information on this school's policies.
Seattle University: Law School Abdicates Authority, Lets Students Decide Whether to Revoke Federalist Society Recognition Based on Viewpoint
April 2, 2021
Following the January 6, 2021, protests and riots at the United States Capitol, an SU Law student asked the law school to revoke the Federalist Society chapter’s recognition because the student group would not denounce Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, both former FedSoc members, for objecting to the election’s certification. In response, the law… Read more
I want to go to law school, but I’m not excited for 3 years of illiberalism and controversy
March 28, 2022
As Yale Law School grapples with the recent disruption of an event featuring student-invited speakers, other law schools across the country also face pressure from students to disinvite speakers, fire professors, and derecognize student organizations. Confrontations like these — taking place at institutions where students should be expected to learn about the legal principles surrounding… Read more
Seattle Law School clarifies it will protect students’ associational rights
May 19, 2021
Last month, FIRE asked Seattle University School of Law to clarify whether it was allowing its student government to discriminate against student groups based on their viewpoints. Today, FIRE got its answer. Although the law school did not respond directly to FIRE, SU Law Dean Annette Clark clarified to First Amendment News that it will… Read more
Seattle Law School mum on whether student government can oust student groups over views
May 11, 2021
The Seattle University School of Law’s chapter of the Federalist Society faced a tough decision earlier this year when students called on the club to denounce former Federalist Society members, Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, for objecting to the certification of the 2020 Presidential Election. When the FedSoc chapter refused to denounce the senators,… Read more
Seattle University Dean’s ‘Administrative Leave’ May Extend to Faculty Role
June 6, 2016
FIRE recently learned that a Seattle University dean has been placed on leave following reports that she recommended black civil rights activist Dick Gregory’s autobiography, Nigger, by name to a student. Now, FIRE has learned that she may be on leave not only in her capacity as an administrator, but as a faculty member as… Read more
Dick Gregory Responds to Students Offended by Title of His Autobiography
May 31, 2016
Don’t judge a book by its cover. That’s among the messages civil rights activist, social critic, and comedian Dick Gregory is asking Seattle University students to consider after some of them called for one of the school’s deans to resign amid allegations she recommended Gregory’s autobiography, Nigger, by name. In a column for Inside Higher… Read more