Texas: Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Requiring State Colleges and Universities to Update Policies to Address Antisemitism
Cases
Case Overview
On March 27, 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order directing Texas鈥檚 public institutions of higher education to update their free speech policies, establish appropriate punishments for violations, and ensure the policies are being enforced and violators are disciplined. The order also required institutions to incorporate into their policies the definition of antisemitism adopted by the State of Texas in of the Texas Government Code, which tracks the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance鈥檚 . FIREwrote to 27 colleges and universities on May 21, urging them to uphold their obligations to protect free expression and to avoid adopting unlawful categorical bans on 鈥渁ntisemitic鈥 expression, reminding them they must apply constitutional standards to address actionable discriminatory harassment regardless of Abbott鈥檚 executive order.