University of Southern California: Unlawful Restrictions on Spontaneous Student Expression
Cases
University of Southern California
Case Overview
In 2019, FIREwarned USC that its 鈥淔ree Expression and Dissent鈥 policy improperly restricts student expression, imposing an approval process requiring students to receive official approval weeks before they can engage in expressive activities in open, outdoor areas of campus. The policy effectively bans all spontaneous expressive activity, including demonstrations. After FIREfirst wrote to USC, pointing out that students were required to give two weeks鈥 notice, USC agreed to change the policy. In January 2020, after the policy was still being enforced, we wrote again, pointing out that the period had been extended to five weeks. FIREwrote again in July 2020 after the policy was extended to eight weeks due to COVID-19. FIREwrote once more in July 2023 to point out that while the 鈥淔ree Expression and Dissent鈥 policy was revised appropriately to encourage reservations, the 鈥淥utdoor Venues鈥 policy still requires six weeks notice and approval from seven different departments. We urged USC to revise this 鈥淥utdoor Venues鈥 policy to be consistent with its 鈥淔ree Expression and Dissent鈥 policy.