Student Rights: Protecting Free Speech and Association at Public Universities.
This Act aims to strengthen the rights of students and student organizations at public institutions of higher education. It ensures the protection of free speech and association by introducing clear rules for recognizing organizations, allocating funds, and charging security fees for events. Student citizens will gain greater assurance that their rights to freely express views and participate in student groups will be respected, and universities will be required to act transparently and impartially.
Key points
Public institutions cannot deny recognition to a student organization solely due to lack of a faculty advisor or affiliation with a national organization.
Standards for allocating funds to student organizations must be clear, objective, and content- and viewpoint-neutral.
Security fees for student events cannot be based on the event's content, participants' viewpoints, or anticipated public reactions.
Students and student organizations can sue institutions in federal court for violations of these rights, potentially receiving compensatory damages and legal fees.
Institutions failing to comply with these rules may lose eligibility for federal education funds.
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