LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The ACLU of Kentucky today sent an open letter to Kentucky college and university presidents reminding them of their obligation to uphold students’ free speech rights.
As students prepare to begin Fall classes, the letter reminds school officials that the First Amendment directly protects students at public higher education institutions, and urges these institutions to demonstrate their adherence to the values of free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse by avoiding any escalation on campus. Most importantly, school officials should refrain from involving any outside law enforcement except as an absolute last resort.
The ability to engage in current events and be introduced to issues of local, national, and global importance is a crucial component of well-rounded education. Students should be able to engage with these issues appropriately and freely. The letter states “as we reflect on the lessons of the past and look towards the future, it is important for higher education institutions to recommit themselves to cultivating a campus environment that welcomes all voices and adheres to First Amendment principles to meet the challenges of the current moment.”
The letter reminds school officials they may choose to “establish content-neutral and viewpoint-neutral policies regulating First Amendment activities, but discriminatory or targeted enforcement is impermissible.”
The full letter is available below.
