Controversy on Campus: The Free Speech Debate

by: Makenzie Harrison

SAN MARCOS, Texas -- A recent series of signed federal and state laws protecting free speech on college campuses has sparked a major debate among Texas State students, dividing them on the issue of First Amendment protections on campus. 

Gov. Greg Abbott signed the SB 18 law on June 9, establishing that common outdoor areas on college campuses are to be considered “free speech areas.” The bill also institutes penalties for students who “interfere with the expressive activities of others on campus.” The SB 18 law was signed into effect as a reaction to the growing number of free speech related controversies on college campuses across the state of Texas.

Texas State University is no stranger to free speech related controversy, having graced the headlines in recent months due to outrage surrounding a ban on conservative group, Turning Point USA. The decision was made by senators of Student Government to protect minorities from racist ideologies. TPUSA faced allegations of “harassing students and faculty, promoting white supremacy, illegally funding Student Government candidates, manipulating course content and protecting hate speech under the guise of the First Amendment.”

Students are divided on the issue, debating the fairness of the legislation against TPUSA and the line between free speech and hate speech. 

Kianna Rodriguez

“I don’t think they should be banned because they have the right to their own opinions and their own speech.” Texas State junior Kianna Rodriguez said. “I think as students we represent the university, so they should try to monitor the level of controversy organizations cause on campus, but I don’t think that it should go as far as a ban from campus as long as they’re not hurting people.”

Wimberley Kerbow

Some students agreed that the university should take measures to lessen controversy on campus by limiting speech on campus to that which adheres to the Student Code of Conduct. 

“I think banning is too harsh if they aren’t given a chance to make changes,” Texas State junior Wimberley Kerbow said. “There’s the right to freedom of speech, but then you have exceptions like speech that poses a threat or offends people, so I think it should be better regulated by the university for sure.”

The rest of the country has also experienced similar debates across college campuses. As a result, President Trump has also signed an executive order that he claims will ensure the promotion of free speech on campus, threatening alongside Gov. Greg Abbott to pull federal funding from universities who do not comply with the new laws. 

Kayla Whitley

“It was definitely biased because [Gov. Abbott] is a conservative and so is the president. It would be interesting if Trump could actually get the law passed to do that but I don’t think he will.” Texas State senior Kayla Whitley said.

Students have agreed that the threat to pull federal funding from institutions due to noncompliance pushes the boundaries of what citizens regard as constitutional. 

Alison Castillo

“On principle, I am a huge supporter of the First Amendment and advocate for the voicing of opinions even if I disagree wholeheartedly with the person speaking,” Texas State junior Alison Castillo said. “That being said, I would never agree with going so far as to threaten the pulling of federal funding from universities in an effort to manipulate the institution to abide by your own personal beliefs.” 

David Johnson

As a response to these new laws and consequences, students are beginning to consider ways of handling controversial speakers and topics on campus. Texas State senior David Johnson expressed that change could occur on campus if “the university itself, especially public figures like President Trauth, took a more active stance not necessarily in just denouncing what's being said, but in trying to make amends.” 

Donald Stevenson

In regard to the future of Texas State and the matter of free speech, senior Donald Stevenson expressed a positive outlook on the effect that the new laws will have on campus. 

“I think it is important to focus on how it can help students, rather than focusing on the passing of this specific bill,” Stevenson said. “It is important to let the college campuses around Texas remain worthy, and let them focus on free speech.”