Watchdogs and students at Texas State University have voiced concerns that freedom of expression may be restricted this fall on campus under the recently updated free speech policy, but others say the move protects Jewish and pro-Israel students from illegal harassment.
Texas State University updated its Expressive Activities Policy on June 20 to comply with Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 27 Executive Order requiring increased protections against antisemitism on colleges in the wake of aggressive and sometimes violent anti-Israel protests seen on campuses nationwide.
The order instructed public universities in Texas to review their free speech policies and punishments for antisemitism on campus and utilize the Texas Code’s working definition of antisemitism for such measures.
Texas State’s policy defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews that may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. The term includes rhetorical and physical acts of antisemitism directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals or their property or toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
