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Free Speech in Higher Education

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Quizzes

Student press law center – First Amendment quiz

Student press law center – Student press law quiz

Fraternity / Sorority sign ban in Radford

City ordinances specifically ban the display of 'Greek' signs on houses in Radford's university district.
The Problem is that any government unit’s regulation of the specific content of speech is subject to strict scrutiny review by the courts. Under this review, government must prove that a regulation is:
1) necessary to achieve a “compelling state interest“ 
2) “narrowly tailored” to achieve this compelling interest; a
3) uses the “least restrictive means” to achieve the purpose.   
 Ordinances 120.1-64 and 120.1- 239 fail this test. 

Academic Freedom

Teddy Roosevelt picture from Duke University.
Teddy Roosevelt speaks at Duke University, 1903: “You stand for Academic Freedom, for the right of private judgment, for a duty more incumbent upon the scholar than upon any other man, to tell the truth as he sees it, to claim for himself and to give to others the largest liberty in seeking after the truth.” - US President Teddy Roosevelt, 1903

Current events

  • SU faculty panel warns academic freedom is under pressure - The NewsHouse
    October 8, 2026
    SU faculty panel warns academic freedom is under pressure  The NewsHouse
  • God, Man, and Academic Freedom – Robert P. George - Law & Liberty
    October 1, 2026
    God, Man, and Academic Freedom – Robert P. George  Law & Liberty
  • Think Higher Education Has Clear Standards for Academic Freedom? Think Again. - Education Next
    October 1, 2026
    Think Higher Education Has Clear Standards for Academic Freedom? Think Again.  Education Next
  • UT professor, others speak on academic freedom concerns - The Daily Texan
    September 28, 2026
    UT professor, others speak on academic freedom concerns  The Daily Texan
  • University workers from across Texas rally over academic freedom, curriculum changes - KVUE
    September 25, 2026
    University workers from across Texas rally over academic freedom, curriculum changes  KVUE
  • University of Wyoming optimistic on academic freedom despite censorship lawsuit naming new president - Oil City News
    September 22, 2026
    University of Wyoming optimistic on academic freedom despite censorship lawsuit naming new president  Oil City News
  • US higher ed faces mounting attacks on academic freedom, report warns - Higher Ed Dive
    September 18, 2026
    US higher ed faces mounting attacks on academic freedom, report warns  Higher Ed Dive
  • Academic Freedom rally - Opelika Observer
    September 15, 2026
    Academic Freedom rally  Opelika Observer
  • Universities urged to help reverse decline in academic freedom - Research Professional News
    September 15, 2026
    Universities urged to help reverse decline in academic freedom  Research Professional News
  • ‘We Are Horrified’: Academic Freedom at Risk With Uzbek Professor’s Arrest in Kazakhstan - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine
    September 3, 2026
    ‘We Are Horrified’: Academic Freedom at Risk With Uzbek Professor’s Arrest in Kazakhstan  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

More current events

From shuttered print editions to firings, student journalists clash with universities March 21, 2026 https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2026/0321/student-journalism-first-amendment

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