FIRE secures victories in Wash., N.J.

Philadelphia, Penn. - The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has successfully intervened to protect the rights of student groups inNew Jersey, and Washington state after student governments at both universities threatened to de-fund the groups for engaging in constitutionally protected expression.

At Montclair State University, the Student Government Association froze funding to the student newspaper, The Montclarion, in retaliation for the paper’s attempts to gain access to closed-door SGA meetings. Meanwhile, at Central Washington University, in Ellensburg, Wash., the College Republicans were investigated and faced possible loss of funding after they posted flyers promoting an on-campus speech by controversial illegal immigration opponent and Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist.

"These two cases—on opposite sides of the country—are disturbing examples of the willingness of student governments to punish their fellow students for their expression," FIRE President Greg Lukianoff said.

"Both cases had happy endings this time, but how many other students and groups suffer such assaults on their liberty in silence? Student governments need to understand that, just like college administrators, they may not control student expression simply because they control the purse strings."

To read more, go to FIRE's Website.