Southern New Hampshire University: Administration Requires FIRESeek Approval of Invitations to Weed Out Controversial Speakers

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Southern New Hampshire University: Administration Requires FIRESeek Approval of Invitations to Weed Out Controversial Speakers

Cases

Southern New Hampshire University

Case Overview

On March 30, Southern New Hampshire University told the College Republicans chapter that the university administration must review and approve all invitations to speakers to ensure they “are not so controversial that they would draw unwanted demonstrators” to campus. FIREwrote SNHU on May 18 explaining that this prior review requirement violates the university’s expressive promises, as does avoidance of subjectively controversial expression. SNHU responded to ��ýapp�ٷ� claiming that the university’s policy is consistent with its free speech promises and respects students’ expressive rights. On July 18, FIREreplied to urge SNHU to allow students to invite speakers to campus without prior university review and approval.

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