Ohio University: Ban on Student Group Gatherings and Social Media Communications
Cases
Ohio University
Case Overview
In response to hazing allegations in the fall of 2019, Ohio University sent cease and desist letters to 14 student groups, instructing group members not to 鈥渕eet in any capacity, officially or unofficially鈥 or 鈥渃ommunicat[e] with and among the group via any social media platform or application.鈥 OU also told the fraternities and sororities members of the groups that they may only 鈥渃ommunicate with your friends on a 1:1 basis but should reduce conversations to personal topics as opposed to sorority/fraternity operations and updates.鈥 Some of the restrictions were rescinded for a few of the groups as OU completed its investigations. On November 12, 2019, FIREwrote to OU, calling on the public university to rescind these restrictions on expressive and associational rights. OU confirmed to FIREon November 22 that it lifted the restrictions.