Montclair State University: Resident Assistants Told to “Refrain” from Making Statements that Would Reflect Badly on the University

The Montclarion student newspaper published an editorial stating that the Montclair State University administration requires resident assistants to “refrain” from making statements to the media that “would reflect badly” on the university. On April 22, FIRE wrote to MSU to call on the university to rescind this requirement and explain that employees at public institutions, including student employees like RAs, retain their First Amendment right to speak as private citizens on matters of public concern. Following FIRE’s letter, MSU quickly confirmed to FIRE and RAs that it had eliminated this restriction on student employees’ right to speak with the media.