Table of Contents
Temple Speech Code Lawsuit to Go Forward

Roman Babakin / Shutterstock.com
As reported by the , a federal district judge recently refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a Temple University sexual harassment policy on free speech grounds. The policy in question forbids conduct that “…has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.â€
In refusing to dismiss the lawsuit, the district court relied heavily on Saxe v. State College Area School District, 240 F.3d 200 (3d Cir. 2001), a case in which Âé¶¹´«Ã½IOS collaborated on an appellate strategy. In Saxe, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals (whose jurisdiction includes Pennsylvania) ruled that a harassment policy with the exact same language was unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. As this decision is binding precedent upon the district court, it is unlikely that Temple’s policy will be upheld.
As Âé¶¹´«Ã½IOS has pointed out time and time again, speech codes have been consistent losers when challenged in federal court. Hopefully Temple will realize this and voluntarily drop their immoral speech code before being forced to do so.
To learn more about protecting yourfree speech rights, make sure to check out ¹ó±õ¸é·¡â€™s Guide to Free Speech on Campus.
Recent Articles
Get the latest free speech news and analysis from Âé¶¹´«Ã½IOS.

Why Âé¶¹´«Ã½IOS is suing Secretary of State Rubio — and what our critics get wrong about noncitizens’ rights


LAWSUIT: Âé¶¹´«Ã½IOS challenges unconstitutional provisions Rubio uses in crusade to deport legal immigrants over protected speech
