Portland State University: University Refers Student to Bias Team for Dressing as Nazi for Costume Contest

- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIREto learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- FIREStudent Network
  ��ýapp�ٷ�’s 2022 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of more than 44,000 currently enrolled students at 208 colleges and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
  Build Your Network
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIREand College Pulse, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
About Us
Submit a Case

Home
Cases

Portland State University: University Refers Student to Bias Team for Dressing as Nazi for Costume Contest

Cases

Portland State University

Case Overview

On October 29, 2024, Portland State University announced that it referred a student to the Office of Equity and Compliance’s Bias Team for dressing as a Nazi to an on-campus Halloween costume contest. ��ýapp�ٷ� wrote PSU on October 31, explaining that the student has the First Amendment right to wear such a costume, whether as a joke, a sincere opinion, to mock Nazis, or for any other expressive purpose, even when many may find it offensive. We further explained that announcing an investigation into protected expression impermissibly chills campus speech because of the implicit threat of discipline. We urged PSU to end any investigation into the matter and refrain from announcing investigations into protected expression in the future.

������ýapp�ٷ�

��ýapp�ٷ�