Support Free Speech on Montana Campuses

End the chill of speech in Public Montana Universities

Sign The Letter

Dear Officials:

I am writing to you today to ask for your support for HB 517: Constitutional amendment regarding the board of regents. This act will allow the free exchange of thought, ideas, and speech on our public campuses. As our public universities are funded with our taxpayer dollars, the state has a crucial role in ensuring those universities have processes that do not chill freedom of expression.

Because of the existing unfair processes for determining if a student has violated the student code, many students have been incentivized to censor their speech to prevent violating vague and arbitrary rules. The principle of free speech should be taught to our students to take them into the real world. Much of the success of America is rightfully credited to the ability to challenge and share ideas and have those ideas debated without fear of administrative punishment.
Recently, we have had Montana universities punishing and harassing students for participating in their constitutionally protected right to protest the administration on campus. This activity teaches the next generation that self-censorship is the norm. Self-censorship should never be the norm in the United States of America. The growth of our economy and society depends on all points of view being heard, debated, and established.
We can only have free speech if the process for determining violations of the code of conduct on campus is fairly administered. Students will not say what they otherwise would say for fear of persecution by the administration.

Therefore, we need to pass HB 517, which will amend the constitution to allow legislative oversight on the board of regents to ensure Montana Students’ constitutional rights.

Sincerely,