Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with a coalition of other state attorneys general, sent a letter to universities across the country urging them to defend free speech on campus after Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a Utah university, according to a Sept. 22 press release.
The letter said universities should hold a neutral view when considering security fees, which are imposed to protect student groups and guest speakers on campus. The letter asked universities to treat student groups hosting conservative speakers the same way they would treat student groups hosting liberal guest speakers.
“Not everyone will agree with every speaker that your institutions host,” the letter states. “But that is exactly the point.”
The University received this letter and is in compliance with the terms in the letter, a University spokesperson said. According to the University’s free speech policies, the University cannot discriminate between “political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic controversy” when assigning fees for security at an event.
“Particularly at this moment, it is critical our state institutions of higher learning serve as forums for robust debate from all perspectives,” the letter states. “The campus should be the very place where the First Amendment rings loudest for all to hear.”
Paxton’s office did not respond for comment.
Additionally, the letter called on schools to develop “clear protocols for event approval and protecting speakers” and that security regulations “should not allow for broad administrative discretion without explaining the criteria by which the fees are set.”
According to University free speech rules, the University has the “sole power” to decide if events require police protection after consulting with organizers.
“All fees will be based on the number of officers required for an uncontroversial event of the same size and kind, in the same place and at the same time of day,” the rule states.
