The University of North Carolina at Greensboro bans “disrespect.” N.C. Central says students in its dorms must avoid saying or writing anything that “offends.” East Carolina prohibits “jokes about sex or sexual orientation.”
These student polices are known as speech codes, which the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education defines as any policy that “both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech.”
The rules flagrantly violate the First Amendment. When challenged in federal court, they are struck down with great gusto. FIRE’s nationwide Stand Up for Speech Litigation Project, which represents students punished for free expression, has yet to lose a case.
But speech codes remain ubiquitous at North Carolina’s public colleges and universities, staining student handbooks and keeping coeds clammed up, fearing disciplinary sanctions if they fail to toe the line.
Lt. Gov. Dan Forest has had enough. The Republican is working with legislative leaders to introduce the Campus Free Expression Act, which would protect speech, assembly, petition and protest rights at all UNC system campuses.
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