University of Alabama: University Investigates #YeIsRight Chalk, Citing ‘Core Values’
Cases
University of Alabama
Case Overview
On January 26, 2023, the University of Alabama announced an investigation into chalk messages on its sidewalks reading “#YeIsRight” and “America First,” stating that the messages violated the university’s “Capstone Creed, our campus culture and our core values.” On January 31, FIREwrote UA explaining that while it may remove chalk for violating the viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions the university has in place, it cannot investigate or punish expression because some are offended by its content. After some initial back and forth with ýappٷ, UA confirmed on March 2 that it permits “expression of offensive views so long as those views are expressed in accordance with the terms of the University’s policies.”