University of Northern Iowa: Resident Assistants Required to Seek Approval from Media Relations to Speak with Press

On February 11, 2022, in response to an anonymous survey from the The Northern Iowan student newspaper, the University of Northern Iowa informed resident assistants that they must seek approval from the university before speaking with the media. FIRE wrote to UNI on March 17, explaining that this requirement infringes on students’ rights to speak as citizens on matters of public concern, as well as the rights of a free student press and the public’s right to know.  On March 23, UNI affirmed to FIRE that it respects RAs’ First Amendment rights, and six days later, sent RAs an email explaining they may speak with the media as private citizens.