Free speech laws spark campus wide conversation

By Giselle Kowalski 

SAN MARCOS, Texas– As Texas and the nation deal with recently enacted free speech laws, Texas State students vocalized their opinions of the campus’ political climate. 

Gov. Gregg Abbott recently signed a law that protects both free speech on campus and student organizations from being denied university aid due to the organization’s political and social views. Texas State played a key role in the enactment of this law due to the university’s student government threatening to ban Turning Point USA, a conservative group that has been accused of being involved in racist actions, from visiting and talking on campus this spring semester. 

In a recent article by FIRE, an organization whose mission is to protect students’ individual rights at colleges and universities, Texas State was ranked one of the top 10 worst schools in the country for free speech. Students have explained that the political climate at the university has changed substantially in past years, the party divide growing stronger, the line between free speech and hate speech being blurred. 

Nicholas Palacio
Photo by Giselle Kowalski

“Considering the recent events, that does make sense,” senior Nicholas Palacio said about the school’s ranking. “I think that there is a way to have discourse in a way that is not suppressing other people’s views. But, when it becomes not progressive, in a way that it allows the conversation to lead somewhere, like a change on campus or what not, I think that’s when speech like that is not helpful.” 

Diana Gonzalez
Photo by Giselle Kowalski 

In a recent study done by Medium, a majority of students polled that there should not be a restriction on free speech, but 41% draw the line at hate speech. 

Similar thoughts were expressed on Texas State’s campus. Diana Gonzalez, a junior, gave an example of how she deals with opposing views. 

“For instance, religion,” Gonzalez said. “I am a Catholic and I have friends who are atheist, so it’s never been a problem. She doesn’t go attacking me for what I believe and she doesn’t try to force iton me and vice versa. We just coexist.” 

Ryan Taylor
Photo by Alex Wade

Instead of prohibiting hate speech, Ryan Taylor, a junior, believes that hate speech should be expressed and allowed in order to be aware of the problems that may arise. 

“It’s better for people to be vocal about their hate so you can know who and who not to surround yourself with,” Taylor said. “Silent hate is worse than vocal hate.” 

Jeremy Pauza
Photo by Isaac Muñoz

Recently, President Trump issued an executive order that restricts universities from being federally funded for research and educational grants if they restrict free speech on campus. Many colleges and universities spoke out against the President’s executive order, claiming that it is unnecessary and unwanted micromanaging by the federal government. 

“It feels kind of like a blanket solution to a more specific problem that might be happening,” Jeremy Pauza, a senior, said. “I think that I would prefer that we promote this inclusive society but I think that it is really, really a tough slippery slope to kind of try and go along to where you’re telling people what they can and cannot say.” 

Michael Howell
Photo by Giselle Kowalski

In terms of a solution for Texas State, students agreed that there should be a bigger emphasis on the voices of the student body rather than heads of the university. 

“Texas State is sticking up for the majority groups rather than sticking up for the minority groups,” junior Michael Howell said. “This campus is predominantly minority-majority. But their political backing goes towards the majority-minority, so they need to change that so they can actually reflect what the school is.”

Donald Stevenson
Photo by Aaron Esparza

As the conversation continues, students agree that voices must be heard, open-minds are necessary and violence is not to be tolerated. 

“Texas State is well equipped with accomplishing the aspect of each individual student having the right of free speech,” senior Donald Stevenson said. “It is important to Texas State that each student is heard and their voice is not looked down upon.”