Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Administrators Demand Housing Student Employees Get Permission Before Speaking with Media

On August 28, 2024, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s student newspaper, reported that University Housing barred student employees from speaking to the media without receiving approval from Housing administrators. On October 7, FIRE wrote SIUE explaining why this policy unconstitutionally restricts student-employee speech. While SIUE can control who makes official statements for the university, they cannot stop employees from expressing their opinions as private citizens on matters of public concern. We asked the university to make clear to employees that they have the right to speak as private citizens without obtaining permission. On October 10, SIUE confirmed Housing administrators had clarified to student employees that they only need approval before responding to requests for comment on behalf of the department.