The U.S. and West Virginia constitutions acknowledge the right to free speech, which must be protected at public colleges, but Senate Bill 657, which became law in 2021, requires that public colleges protect "any lawful verbal and nonverbal speech." Furthermore, many private colleges also promise free speech to their students. However a…

Argues that many universities pay lip service to the First Amendment and actually control campus speech by denying funds to pay controversial speakers or by stipulating that students must pay the costs for added security measures. Several school policies on racist speech and past practices are explored. (GLR)

Discusses the most important cases in 1999 related to First Amendment rights in higher education and suggests some trends that may shape behavior on campus in the coming years. The U.S. Supreme Court decision about the constitutionality of mandatory fees at public colleges and universities is likely to be the most significant 1999 decision. (SLD)

The merits of student arguments challenging the constitutionality of mandatory student fees to finance certain activities or services are examined and balanced against the public university's interest in providing a forum for the expression of diverse and controversial ideas. (MSE)

The pamphlet addresses the application of the United States Constitution's First Amendment to offensive expression and expressive conduct, particularly by students, at public colleges and universities. Sections 1 through 4 summarize applicable First Amendment principles including the breadth of the First Amendment; exceptions to content-based…

The First Amendment rights of students at public universities and colleges are well established by federal and state courts. Where a publication has been created as a forum for student expression, college authorities may not exercise anything but advisory control over editorial decisions of student editors. On-line student newspapers and literary…