From WILX Lansing: “A national nonprofit has called for a review of a Michigan State University Board of Trustees policy, which it says is unconstitutional. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, says the board’s code of ethics policy violates free speech protections. The policy has been a source of contention in the Spartan community. The policy says any board member who undermines a majority board decision could face punishment. Aaron Terr, a representative from FIRE, said the organization had immediate concerns about a potential violation of free speech rights after reviewing the board’s policy. Last week, FIRE sent an open letter to the board, hoping its members might consider a revision. ‘One of the major purposes of the First Amendment is to protect a wide-open and robust debate in this country about matters of public concern,’ Terr said.”
Read FIRE’s interpretation and next step actions here.
