“It’s not just Texas State, and it’s not just faculty, it’s students, too. From everything we have seen, Texas universities are currently at war against the First Amendment. And they seem not to be concerned about the consequences of violating the First Amendment, but they should be.”
This powerful reminder from Allen Harris Law’s Founding Partner, Attorney Samantha Harris, cuts straight to the heart of the ongoing controversy at Texas State University (TXST). As recently covered by CBS Austin, TXST students and faculty are rallying in protest as the legal battle over a wrongfully terminated professor continues to unfold.
The core of the dispute? A speech the professor gave entirely off campus, acting as a private citizen. Despite maintaining a stellar academic and performance record, the professor was abruptly placed on administrative leave and notified that his contract would not be renewed. This disciplinary action came shortly after online activists discovered a video of his off campus presentation and initiated a coordinated campaign demanding his termination.
Samantha Harris and the team at Allen Harris Law have stepped in to represent the professor and hold the university accountable. As Samantha has pointed out in legal filings, universities cannot simply abandon the U.S. Constitution when speech becomes controversial. TXST’s actions not only violate the First Amendment but also contradict the university’s own established rules, which explicitly protect faculty members who are “Speaking as a Citizen” from institutional censorship or discipline.
When higher education institutions choose political appeasement and bow to online mobs instead of standing up for the constitutional rights of their faculty, it creates a dangerous chilling effect. Faculty members must be able to speak freely as private citizens without the looming threat that a coordinated harassment campaign will cost them their livelihoods and careers.
At Allen Harris Law, we are fiercely committed to defending academic freedom. The protests at TXST show that students and faculty alike recognize the stakes. If the university can penalize one professor for protected private speech, the rights of everyone on campus are at risk.
To watch or read the full news story, click here.
Are your First Amendment rights under attack?
If you are a student or faculty member facing disciplinary action, investigation, or termination for exercising your right to free speech, you don’t have to fight the administration alone. Contact Allen Harris Law today to ensure your livelihood, reputation, and constitutional rights are protected.