Whitman College: Prior Review of Student Listservs

In April 2020, Whitman College instituted a policy of prior review of messages on student email listservs. This decision came in the wake of controversial posts on a “confessions” Instagram account, to which students could anonymously submit posts. Students used a listserv to engage in conversations about these “confessions” posts. On May 1, FIRE wrote to Whitman College President Kathleen Murray, asking the college to end its prior review of messages on the student listserv and make clear to its student body that they remain free to engage in protected speech without fear of censorship or punishment.