Wichita State University: Student Government Denies Recognition to Libertarian Group Because It Defends Free Speech
Cases
Wichita State University
Case Overview
On April 5, 2017, Wichita State University鈥檚 Student Government Association (SGA) denied official recognition to a prospective chapter of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) based on its views, after nearly an hour of debate. The SGA began its meeting by questioning YAL president Maria Church on the group鈥檚 beliefs and political stances. When debating the resolution to recognize YAL, the only topic discussed was the expression of YAL鈥檚 national parent organization and the actions of YAL chapters at other universities. SGA senators repeatedly advocated against recognizing the chapter on the grounds that YAL (correctly) believes that the First Amendment protects 鈥渉ate speech,鈥 that other chapters have invited Milo Yiannopoulos to speak on campus, and that the national YAL organization has not effectively denounced 鈥漢ate speech.鈥 SGA members called YAL a 鈥渉ate group鈥 and claimed that its presence on campus would pose a threat to other students.
On April 7, FIREwrote to Wichita State University demanding that the university reverse the SGA鈥檚 unconstitutional viewpoint-based decision. Following 果冻传媒app官方's letter, WSU Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall petitioned the SGA's judicial branch to overturn the SGA's decision. On April 12, the Supreme Court of the Wichita State University Student Government held that the refusal to recognize YAL violated its members rights, and granted the group official recognition.