The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) Center for Academic Freedom has reached a settlement with California State University (CSU) system officials to eliminate problematic restrictions on student speech at all 23 of the system’s schools.
“Christian and conservative students shouldn’t be penalized for expressing their beliefs," said David Hacker, ADF litigation staff counsel. "The university is supposed to be the ‘marketplace of ideas,’ but these ‘speech codes,’ with few exceptions, were selectively applied. This settlement benefits everyone who cherishes their First Amendment rights."
A federal judge suspended or limited aspects of the CSU speech policy last year, saying it contains serious constitutional problems.
As part of the settlement, portions of the Cal State system “speech code,” the San Francisco State University Student Organization Handbook “speech code,” and the SFSU harassment policy will be modified to eliminate unconstitutional restrictions that have been misused by university officials.
ADF sued on behalf of the College Republicans, in conjunction with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.
