A federal appeals court heard arguments over Virginia Tech’s policy that allows students to anonymously report other students they think are participating in biased actions. Opponents of the policy pointed to instances including a student who told a joke about Caitlyn Jenner’s former name before her gender transition. A student filed a complain that the joke exhibited discrimination based on gender identity. (Courthouse News Service, October 25, 2022, by Joe Dodson)
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) filed an amicus brief in the case noting that these types of laws in universities across the county have resulted in investigations of college Republicans, black student unions and student journalists. The Virginia Tech policy centers on speech, singling out words hurtful to students, expression that would be protected under the First Amendment. (FIRE, January 20, 2022, by Jeff Zeman)