Texas universities praise free speech for all, after Leftist losers throw their toys out the pram

Texan Colleges Clamp Down on Free Speech Following Abbott’s Executive Order

Austin Community College (ACC) has joined the list of Texas institutions caving to Governor Greg Abbott's executive order on free speech. In a recent board meeting, ACC approved updates to its free speech policies, joining the chorus of colleges bending the knee to Abbott's will.

Abbott's order: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-44_antisemitism_in_institutions_of_higher_ed_IMAGE_03-27-2024.pdf

The Governor, in his infinite wisdom, mandated that colleges protect against the rising tide of antisemitism, which has been conveniently left out of the conversation for too long. While Islamophobia was notably absent from Abbott's order, the focus on clamping down on antisemitism is a step in the right direction.

Key Takeaways:

• Pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses led to widespread arrests, showcasing the need for better free speech protections.
• UT-Austin changed its policies, giving more weight to institutional rules and allowing non-UT police to enforce them.
• A review of six Texas universities' free speech policies revealed additional speech limitations added during updates.

ACC Steps Up:

• ACC board members added definitions and protections against Islamophobic, racist, and homophobic speech, ensuring that the rights of all individuals are respected.
• The board added a Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy, protecting employees, students, and community members.
• ACC prohibits disruptions that interfere with educational pursuits, and specifically bans unauthorized tents, a common element in pro-Palestinian protests.
• The college expanded rules on distribution of materials to include expressive activity, ensuring a balanced approach to free speech.

Other Texas Institutions Fall in Line:

• Texas State University combined four previous policies into one, adding definitions of antisemitism and camping, and prohibiting the latter without approval.
• Texas A&M University revised its policy, adding definitions of key terms like "illegal harassment" and "true threats," ensuring a clear framework for free speech.
• The University of Houston, UT-San Antonio, and Texas Tech University also updated their policies, primarily adding the governor's definition of antisemitism.

Texas colleges are heeding the call of Governor Abbott, ensuring that free speech is protected while also maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students. It's a delicate balance, but one that these institutions are navigating with care.