Texas State University: Administrators Bar RAs From Speaking to Journalists Without Permission

On August 28, 2024, The University Star, Texas State University’s student newspaper, reported that the Department of Housing and Residential Life barred student employees from speaking to the media without receiving approval from administrators. While Texas State 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, and employees using their title doesn’t change that. On November 7, FIRE wrote Texas State explaining why this policy unconstitutionally restricts student employee speech. We asked the university to revise its policies and make clear that student employees can speak to the media without obtaining permission.