The First Amendment, Student Protest on Campus and the Law

Authors

Gene Policinski

Abstract

(Excerpt)

After a brief background on the history of student protest and free expression, this Article examines campus speech policies developed in response to student protests in the 1960s, and present examples of how these codes and regulations recently have been reviewed and revised in light of campus protests and disruptions, with many involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Next, this Article also examines the ongoing impact of federal legislation—specifically Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—on campus speech. In addition, this section addresses public attitudes regarding campus protests and related on campus issues, as well as an increasing willingness among minority campus groups to turn to the legal system for relief from what they perceive as violations of students' First Amendment rights.

Finally, this Article aims to chart an emerging form of campus student expression: the use of social media, either as the principal method of protest or as the organizing force behind protests and demonstrations.