Case Details
Case Status
Won and Settled
Location
Houston, Texas
Date Filed
February 23rd, 2022
On February 23, 2022, Speech First, a national membership group of students, alumni, and others that defends free speech on campus, sued the University of Houston (UH) and its officials in federal court. The lawsuit argued that UH’s “harassment” policy was far too broad and punished speech based on its content and viewpoint. The policy’s definition of “harassment” covered a wide range of protected speech, including “denigrating jokes” and “negative stereotyping,” and UH claimed the right to punish student speech on campus, off campus, or on social media.
Supreme Court precedent says colleges can restrict speech only when it is so “severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive” that it crosses the line into harassing conduct. The federal court in Houston granted Speech First’s request to block UH from enforcing its sweeping speech restrictions.
In June 2022, UH settled. It got rid of its “harassment” policy, agreed to adopt a new one that follows the Supreme Court’s standard, and agreed to pay Speech First $30,000 in fees.
“Universities must once again establish themselves as open forums where students can engage in debate and dialogue without fear of retribution. The University of Houston has a harassment policy that is so overbroad, students could be reported or disciplined for simply expressing their opinions.“
Cherise Trump, Executive Director, Speech First
Read the initial complaint below: