The Texas Senate's free speech proposal could force a policy change at UT-Austin, other campuses

[TexasTowelie]

by Catherine Marfin, Texas Tribune


When Beto O’Rourke’s presidential campaign was looking to drum up attendance for a weekend rally in downtown Austin, the college a few blocks away might have seemed like the perfect place to go.

But the University of Texas at Austin denied a request by Democratic former congressman’s campaign to spread the word there.

“We’re unable to grant you permission at this time to pass out flyers on campus,” a university staff member wrote to the campaign on March 23, according to an email obtained by an open records request.

In its denial, the university cited UT System speech and assembly policies, which are more restrictive for groups that aren’t affiliated with the school. Those policies — like those at universities across the state and country — have become a hot-button issue, especially among groups that believe their political speech is being silenced. This year, the rules have come under the spotlight in the Texas Capitol. And if a bill that has already passed the Senate becomes law, schools will be unable to deny requests like the O'Rourke campaign's.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/04/02/university-texas-free-speech-on-campus/

[ROB-ROX]

1. This Is CRAZY

There are some people out there who would like to yell, "fire" is a dark and crowded movie theater. Those crazy people want the APPROVAL of speaking at an educational institution versus some public park. Those who are CRAZY will be coming out of the closets. They think bringing their crazy ideas to educational institutions will brand them as "normal."