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Articles by Zach Greenberg
Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, et al. v. Law, et al.
After the University of South Florida expelled Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), it barred the organization’s members — including students never found responsible for misconduct — from continuing to associate and advocate together on campus.
University of Tampa: Students Barred from Associating with Unrecognized Groups
In August 2026, the University of Tampa adopted a new policy prohibiting students from promoting or affiliating with organizations that operate without university recognition. That month, UTampa ordered two unaffiliated fraternity chapters to stop recruiting students or conducting organizational activities with them. On September 11, FIRE wrote UTampa explaining that freedom of association protects students’ right to associate with organizations unaffiliated with their university.
Innovative Use of Farmed Oysters Boosts Businesses and the Environment
Above: A Billion Oyster Project boat in New York Harbor steered by staffer Marc Melendez prepares to plant some 5,000 oysters that will help restore the harbor’s ecosystem. Rebecca Resner (left), hatchery manager, and Danielle Bissett, director of restoration, will unload the oversized bivalves provided by Lucky 13 Oysters, a Long Island aquaculture farm and Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration beneficiary.
Flyers critical of the Chinese Communist Party torn down across George Washington University’s campus
FIRE urges George Washington University to reaffirm its commitment to free speech by Zach Greenberg At George Washington University, apparently only one view of the Chinese Communist Party is allowed on campus. In the ongoing dispute in higher education over the CCP’s human rights abuses, the latest casualties are scores of anti-CCP flyers mysteriously torn down on campus.
University of Minnesota Medical School swears off compelled speech in white coat ceremony
In a video of a white coat ceremony at University of Minnesota Medical School, students appeared to be required to take the oath as a condition of continuing their education at the university. (Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock.com) After FIRE criticized the medical school for appearing to force students to profess political views, the university affirmed that the oath was not required and that students are free to reject it.
UC Hastings proposed Event Policy smacks down the ‘heckler’s veto’
Ilya Shapiro attempting to deliver remarks at University of California Hastings School of Law. Shapiro was unable to speak after the protesters engaged in a “heckler’s veto” by shouting him down. (Senya Merchant / Twitter) by Zach Greenberg March 2, 2022 was a dark day for free speech at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Does the First Amendment apply to Virginia Commonwealth University? The public university doesn’t seem to think so.
When FIRE asks universities to protect students’ free speech rights, we’ve gotten our fair share of outright denials, curt rejections, and shameless ghosting. But rarely does a public university suggest the First Amendment doesn’t really apply to them. Allow us to present Virginia Commonwealth University’s response to FIRE’s letter urging VCU to end deferred recruitment. On Aug. 1, VCU banned students without 12 credits earned at the university from joining fraternities and sororities.
University of St. Thomas promises free speech, yet practices censorship by denying College Republicans request to host Michael Knowles
When the College Republicans chapter at University of St. Thomas sought to host political commentator Michael Knowles, the university rejected the request. (Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com) by Zach Greenberg The University of St. Thomas harmonizes free speech with its religious mission, laudably promising to give its full blessing to students’ expressive rights as part of its Catholic identity.
UNC Chapel Hill student government commits to follow First Amendment after suggesting it wouldn’t fund pro-life student groups
UNC explained that no student groups will be denied funding on the basis of viewpoint after the student government issued an order cutting off funding to pro-life student groups.
Virginia Commonwealth University plans to violate the First Amendment rights of thousands of students with deferred recruitment policy
Apparently VCU’s motto, “Make it Real,” doesn’t apply to students’ First Amendment rights. by Zach Greenberg Virginia Commonwealth University boasts that its fraternity and sorority community “has enhanced the lives of thousands of men and women over the last 50 years.” As a reward for this half-century of service, VCU will ban all first-semester students from joining these groups. FIRE calls on VCU to abandon its senseless violation of students’ First Amendment rights.
Victory! Northern Michigan University drops charges against student for circulating mental health survey
Northern Michigan University suspended a student Dominick Dotson after he asked students to complete a survey about the quality of mental health resources on campus. (Snehit Photo / Shutterstock.com) by Zach Greenberg Northern Michigan University finally cleared student Dominick Dotson of wrongdoing 47 days after suspending him for emailing a mental health survey to the student body.
Is Northern Michigan University still targeting students who talk about mental health?
Following the suicide of a fellow Northern Michigan University student last month, Dominick Dotson sent a campus-wide survey seeking anonymous feedback about the adequacy of campus mental health resources. His email earned him a visit from campus police, an emergency suspension, and multiple student disciplinary charges.
Victory! Emory recognizes free speech student group after seven months of rejection
Emory University School of Law has finally recognized a free speech student group nearly seven months after it first denied their application to formally establish a student organization.
New audio shows severe disruption of Yale Federalist Society panel - which the university did little to prevent
FIRE calls on Yale University to enforce its policies to ensure that students can host expressive events free from substantial disruption. (Shutterstock.com) by Zach Greenberg March 29, 2022 Much ink has been spilled over the Mar. 10 Yale Law School Federalist Society event on civil liberties that — depending on which article you read — either went off mostly unhindered, or suffered severe disruptions.
Dartmouth's 'safety' rationale crumbles as records reveal censorship as the primary motivator in canceling event with Andy Ngo
The Dartmouth chapters of the College Republicans and Turning Point USA were scheduled to host conservative journalist Andy Ngo (pictured) and activist Gabriel Nadales to discuss left-wing political violence in the United States. Then the college cancelled the in-person event.
University of Washington administrator doubles down on censorship and compelled speech in land acknowledgment debacle
by Zach Greenberg January 13, 2022 Almost 48 hours after FIRE called out the University of Washington for its requirement that faculty syllabi include the university’s land acknowledgment on their syllabi or remain silent on this issue, the administrator who created the rule is already digging her institution a bigger First Amendment hole. In statements to media outlets, UW’s Paul G.
Emory Tells Students They Can't Hang Christmas Decorations
Emory charged the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity chapter on Dec. 3 with violating the university housing policy. for hanging a wreath on its front door.
Is Emory going full Grinch? University tells students they can’t hang Christmas decorations
by Zach Greenberg December 22, 2021 While children and nostalgic adults across the nation enjoy the silly, whimsical story of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” festive college students at Emory University found themselves in trouble for their Christmas decorations under a policy that would make the Grinch snarl with a sneer. According to public reports, Emory charged the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity chapter on Dec. 3 with violating the university housing policy. Its transgression?
Wichita State University’s student senate is asking whether it can deny a Turning Point USA chapter recognition. Here’s why it can’t.
When confronted with the difficult decision to grant recognition to student groups whose views they find offensive, principled leadership requires the Wichita State University student senate to adhere to their First Amendment obligation to uphold the rights of those they represent, even when it is difficult or unpopular to do so.
Tennessee Tech professors sue their university for punishing them over Game of Thrones parody flyers
Winter is coming to Tennessee Tech, where two professors are suing the university in federal district court for violating their First Amendment rights in response to a Game of Thrones parody flyer.
Tennessee Tech punishes professors for flyer parodying Game of Thrones
Tennessee Tech in Nashville, Tennessee. (Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.com.) Tennessee Tech punishes professors for flyer parodying Game of Thrones by Zach Greenberg April 26, 2021 Tennessee Tech University is seeking to punish two professors for lampooning a local government official. By doing so, the university is disregarding the First Amendment, common sense, and its own policies promising faculty expressive rights.
Bloomsburg University resorts to guilt by association to address fraternity and sorority misconduct
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Central Pennsylvania. (George Sheldon / Shutterstock.com) Bloomsburg University resorts to guilt by association to address fraternity and sorority misconduct by Zach Greenberg March 29, 2021 Every student knows that violating school rules may earn them discipline.
Syracuse reinstates professor who joked about ‘Wuhan Flu’
Jon Zubieta was reinstated last month after a nearly half-year suspension. Syracuse reinstates professor who joked about ‘Wuhan Flu’ by Zach Greenberg March 2, 2021 Five months after Syracuse University suspended chemistry professor Jon Zubieta for writing “Wuhan Flu” on his course syllabus, Zubieta was reinstated to his teaching role last month.
Eastern Virginia Medical School student government rejects club, says student groups should not promote ‘opinions, political or otherwise’
Eastern Virginia Medical School student government rejects club, says student groups should not promote ‘opinions, political or otherwise’ by Zach Greenberg February 3, 2021 From annual Powderpuff Football Pumpkin Bowls and its P.O.E.T.S. (Piss On Everything, Tomorrow’s Saturday) student entertainment program, to its rare status as one of the few state medical schools unaffiliated with any undergraduate institution, the Eastern Virginia Medical School has boasted a proud independent streak...
SUNY Binghamton backs down on proposal to railroad Greek orgs, promises due process
After our letter, the university assured FIRE the proposal “is no longer under consideration for implementation.” (Steve Cwik/Shutterstock.com) SUNY Binghamton backs down on proposal to railroad Greek orgs, promises due process by Zach Greenberg January 26, 2021 The State University of New York at Binghamton rescinded a proposal to suspend Greek life organizations “connected in any way to a sexual assault case” and promised to uphold the due process rights of its student groups.
In striking down Pa. Rule 8.4(g), federal court affirms that lawyers have First Amendment rights
In striking down Pa. Rule 8.4(g), federal court affirms that lawyers have First Amendment rights by Zach Greenberg December 17, 2020 Update: In another victory for the First Amendment rights of Pennsylvania attorneys, the State of Pennsylvania voluntarily dismissed its appeal of the federal district court’s decision to the United States Court of Appeal for the Third Circuit on March 16, 2021.
University of Miami refuses to disavow punishing law professor over political expression
(YES Market Media/Shutterstock) University of Miami refuses to disavow punishing law professor over political expression by Zach Greenberg December 14, 2020 Ambiguity surrounding the University of Miami’s alleged plan to punish a law professor over his political speech has chilled the expressive rights of UM faculty. In early November, UM School of Law lecturer Daniel B. Ravicher tweeted a series of controversial takes on the outcome of the presidential election.
FIRE encourages universities to adopt Model Code of Student Conduct
FIRE encourages universities to adopt Model Code of Student Conduct by Zach Greenberg November 23, 2020 Last week, FIRE sent letters to 38 organizations dedicated to the betterment of higher education encouraging them to help their constituent universities and colleges adopt our Model Code of Student Conduct. FIRE’s Model Code is a practical, comprehensive collection of student conduct policies and procedures that sets the gold standard for protecting civil liberties on campus.
New York appellate court ratifies Syracuse’s worthless free speech promises in Theta Tau litigation
Syracuse University campus on Sims Drive. (Debra Millet/Shutterstock) New York appellate court ratifies Syracuse’s worthless free speech promises in Theta Tau litigation by Zach Greenberg November 19, 2020 Late last week, a New York appellate court upheld Syracuse University’s punishment of several former Theta Tau fraternity members over a private, satirical skit they performed in 2018.
Censoring a Thousand Words: Universities Must Cease Punishing Students for Their Online Pictures — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
In 1980, Apple founder Steve Jobs called the computer “a bicycle for our minds.” Today, the advent of smartphones gives individuals the power to share images instantaneously with the rest of the world, often accompanied by an admonishment to college-bound students to “watch what you post online.” That is merited advice, as colleges and universities continue to seek out, surveil, and review the images posted by their current and admitted students.
Fraternity’s lawsuit against Syracuse University reveals disciplinary process riddled with student rights violations
Syracuse University campus on Sims Drive. (Debra Millet/Shutterstock) Fraternity’s lawsuit against Syracuse University reveals disciplinary process riddled with student rights violations by Zach Greenberg June 11, 2020 Syracuse University again finds itself embroiled in allegations that it trampled over the rights of its students.
SUNY Potsdam’s ‘banned organizations’ list violates the First Amendment
SUNY Potsdam’s ‘banned organizations’ list violates the First Amendment by Zach Greenberg May 26, 2020 If you Google “banned organizations,” you’ll see links to lists of international terrorist groups, law enforcement lists of extremist groups, and then — a little further down but still on the first page — the State University of New York at Potsdam’s now-inaccessible list of groups its students may not join.
COVID-19 campus closures lead to questions about university overreach
COVID-19 campus closures lead to questions about university overreach by Zach Greenberg April 28, 2020 With educational institutions increasingly closing their campuses and moving to online classes in response to COVID-19, university regulations on off-campus conduct raise fresh questions about the scope of university power over students.
Ohio University orders student groups to stop meeting and talking over social media
Ohio University orders student groups to stop meeting and talking over social media; promises arbitrary enforcement of ban by Zach Greenberg November 13, 2019 In response to hazing allegations reported earlier this fall, Ohio University banned 14 student groups from hosting gatherings and communicating via social media.
Santa Clara ratifies rejection of student group for political views
Santa Clara University ratifies rejection of student group over its political views by Zach Greenberg June 27, 2019 FIRE has raised the alarm about Santa Clara University’s treatment of its Young Americans for Freedom chapter for several months now.
SCU student government — again! — denies recognition to student group over its conservative viewpoints
Mission Santa Clara De Asís is a Spanish mission founded in 1777 by the Franciscan Order on the present-day campus of Santa Clara University. (Enrique A Sanabria/Flickr) Santa Clara student government — again! — denies recognition to student group over its conservative viewpoints by Zach Greenberg June 7, 2019 Last week, the Santa Clara University Associated Student Government denied recognition to a campus chapter of Young Americans for Freedom over the student group’s political stances.
Chilling open records request sent to University of Nebraska-Lincoln professors
Students on the campus of University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com) by Zach Greenberg May 6, 2019 In yet another example of abusive open records requests targeting faculty for speaking out, an attorney with the Lincoln, Nebraska law firm of Keating O’Gara submitted a request to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln earlier this month for all university employee communications and documents related to conservative group Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
Federal court vindicates high school student-athlete free speech rights
Federal court vindicates high school student-athlete free speech rights by Zach Greenberg April 8, 2019 In a recent decision, a federal district court upheld the First Amendment rights of a student-athlete dismissed from her high school cheerleading team over her Snapchat postings. The decision marks a triumphant win for student-athlete free speech rights at the high school level. The decision by Judge A.
Syracuse concedes its free speech promises are worthless
Syracuse University’s School of Communications, which features the words of the First Amendment on the side of the building. (Credit Developing Now Photography / Flickr) Syracuse University finally concedes that its free speech promises are worthless by Zach Greenberg March 29, 2019 In court documents recently filed by Syracuse University in response to a student’s lawsuit alleging free speech and due process violations, SU admits that it does not promise its students free speech.
Lawsuit asks court to violate student groups’ freedom of association
Lawsuit asks court to violate student groups’ freedom of association by Zach Greenberg February 15, 2019 A recent lawsuit filed by a class of female Yale University students against the school and several fraternities seeks the end of fraternal organizations at Yale. If granted, the relief sought would be a blow to the associational freedoms of student organizations at the university.
Gonzaga Cites Possibility of Protests, Will Not Host Ben Shapiro
Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant via AP Last week, Gonzaga University defended its denial of its College Republicans chapter's request to host conservative commentator Ben Shapiro because of the potential for protesters who might use “offensive” speech. Gonzaga's refusal to allow Shapiro to come to campus is an abdication of the institution's obligation to uphold free speech and ensure student safety.
Judge Blocks Kent State's Fee for Gun-Rights Student Group
Judge Blocks Kent State's Fee for Gun-Rights Student Group Brian Francisco/The Journal-Gazette via AP Liberty Hangout, a gun-rights student group at Kent State University, recently won an injunction against its school's attempt to impose security fees on the group's event, titled “Let's Talk Gun Rights.” The gathering was made possible after a federal judge blocked the university's requirement that the group front $1,798.40 in security costs prior to hosting the event.
The Golden Eagle Tribune: The Unheralded Life of a Specialist
A senior long snapper takes us through the life of a special teams player. Kicker. Punter. Long Snapper. These are all positions that are not commonly associated with all of the hardships and glory that come with the sport of football, but nonetheless are vital to the success of any team at any level. My name is Zach Greenberg and I am one of six specialists for the Golden Eagle football team.
Best of Newsdesk: A world without hate speech
by Zach Greenberg EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of FIRE’s annual “Best of Newsdesk” retrospective, where we bring you another look at the year’s best content. It originally ran Oct. 12, 2017. It takes as little as a flyer, a speech, a newspaper article, or a comedian to trigger calls for “hate speech” bans on college campuses. Considering that many college students support the prohibition of hate speech, let’s imagine if the would-be censors got their way — what would our society look like?
Washington State University settles wolf researcher’s academic freedom claims for $300,000
by Zach Greenberg May 18, 2018 On May 14, a prominent wolf researcher settled with Washington State University over allegations that the school caved to legislative demands to stifle his research and expression. The $300,000 settlement follows credible allegations of infringements on the researcher’s academic freedom, spurred by complaints from a legislator and cattle rancher upset with the research.
Let Ferpa Be Ferpa
From the ashes of the Watergate scandal rose Ferpa, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, passed in 1974 in response to the fear that the government was keeping secret and inaccurate files on students, which could be harmfully disclosed. In the words of Ferpa’s architect, James L.
FIRE releases statement on student-athlete speech rights
by Zach Greenberg January 5, 2018 In an important decision for student-athlete rights, a federal court in California has upheld the right of a public high school athlete to kneel during the national anthem. The late-December decision is the first to result from the many student-athletes engaging in similar protests across the United States.
"Baking Common Sense into the FERPA Cake" by Zach Greenberg and Adam Goldstein
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Welcome to campus! Here's your speech code
As the fall semester gets into full swing, college students are busy with clubs, sports and working towards that elusive 4.0 grade point average. And after a tumultuous presidential election, followed by a turbulent start to the new presidency, many students will continue to speak out, protest and agitate for the causes that drive them.
A world without hate speech
It takes as little as a flyer, a speech, a newspaper article, or a comedian to trigger calls for “hate speech” bans on college campuses. Considering that many college students support the prohibition of hate speech, let’s imagine if the would-be censors got their way — what would our society look like? First, we must acknowledge that, in the United States, hateful speech is fully protected by the First Amendment. There’s no “hate speech versus free speech” debate raging in our nation’s judiciary.
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