What exactly is a speech zone?

• Many public universities have speech zone policies that restrict the ability of students to speak freely on campus. These policies sometimes provide for a “free speech" zone on campus, but often that “zone” is so small or so far removed from the heart of campus that it is an ineffective area for sharing messages.


• Public university officials often move students and student groups from a popular area on campus to a low-traffic area because they are sharing a religious or conservative message.


• Public universities often dramatically limit free speech to certain times of the day or week and often give administrators a right to review and approve materials before they are disseminated.


• This directly violates students’ freedom of speech.

Speech Zones Legal Summary