Defending Education v. Williams, et al.

On April 21, 2026, Defending Education (DE) filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri against Missouri State University and several university officials. DE sued on behalf of itself and some of its student members. The lawsuit challenges the university’s “bias response” policy, which DE argues violates students’ rights to free speech and expression.

College campuses should be a “marketplace of ideas,” where all views are welcome in the search for knowledge and truth. But Missouri State has a far-reaching policy meant to discourage students from sharing unpopular views on the political and social issues of the day.

According to the lawsuit:

• The definition of “bias” is vague and broad. The university defines bias as “language or behaviors that demonstrate bias against persons or groups” based on ability, race, color, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, faith, national origin, political orientation, or sexual orientation, even when the speech does not count as discrimination or harassment under Title IX.
• The policy follows students everywhere. “Bias incidents” can happen on or off campus, including on social media. The university also keeps records of reports to “monitor” and “track” bias trends.
• Reported students face pressure and possible punishment. Students accused of bias are reported to a “Bias Response Team” led by senior administrators. The team can call students in for meetings, “educate” them about why their speech was wrong, and refer them to offices that can discipline them.
• Students censor themselves. When students fear being reported, “re-educated,” or disciplined, they stop speaking freely.

The university’s vague, overbroad, and viewpoint-based definition of “bias” violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments. DE looks forward to the day when all college students, of every view and belief, can speak without fear of being censored or punished.

Read the complaint below: