As the new academic year kicks off, universities in Texas and Virginia have revised their free speech and demonstration policies, responding to the shifting dynamics of campus expression following widespread spring protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The University of Texas Board of Regents amended its free speech policy last week to prevent the system and its 14 universities from adopting political or social positions.
The new policy states that, "Institutions should not, in their official capacity, issue or express positions on issues of the day, however appealing they may be to some members of the university community." However, individuals are still free to express themselves in a personal capacity.
This change comes as the UT system, like many others across the country, navigates the challenges of managing free speech in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The war has ignited intense debates and protests on campuses, particularly at UT-Austin, where clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police led to numerous arrests earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the University of Virginia also updated guidelines this week that now regulate how expressive activities, such as protests and demonstrations, can occur on campus.
According to UVA President Jim Ryan, the policies are designed to ensure that the university remains a place of open inquiry while also protecting the rights of all community members to access shared spaces without disruption. Notably, the new policies restrict the use of structures like tents in the historic Academical Village, prohibit outdoor events between 2 and 6 a.m., and place limitations on camping and the use of face coverings during protests.
"The right to free expression and free inquiry is foundational to our democracy and to UVA," Ryan said in a Monday statement. "In that spirit, we do our best to ensure that any regulations we place on expressive activities are content-neutral and strike the right balance, promoting free expression and ensuring that our Grounds are safe, welcoming and accessible for everyone."
In cases of noncompliance with these rules, UVA officials will follow a tiered enforcement process, ranging from warnings to suspensions and potential arrests for persistent violations. The university emphasizes that it supports the right to protest but expects all activities to comply with these new guidelines.
As both Texas and Virginia universities implement these new policies, they join a growing list of institutions striving to balance free expression with campus safety and neutrality in an increasingly polarized environment.
Indiana University's Board of Trustees approved a new policy in July regarding campus demonstrations following an independent review of the school's response to pro-Palestinian protests this past spring.
The new policy, which went into effect Aug. 1, supports protests that don't disrupt university operations or hinder the expressive activity of another individual or group.
While the new policy permits actions such as assembly in public areas, peaceful protesting, making speeches and carrying signs, it prohibits constructing temporary structures without approval at least 10 days in advance, outdoor amplified sounds that disrupt others and applying permanent markings to university property.
The University of Pennsylvania also introduced temporary protest guidelines this summer, explicitly banning encampments. And Harvard University announced it wouldn't make official political statements, impeding protesters' efforts to push institutions to take a stance on the Israel-Gaza war.
Universities are also showing stronger solidarity with Jewish students, some of whom have sued their schools over hostility or harassment during the protests. This could impact how future demonstrations are handled.
