Texas Universities Face Scrutiny Over Student Speech

First Meeting Held on Thursday Morning

Texas lawmakers have initiated an investigation into how public universities manage student speech following intense reactions to the death of conservative speaker Charlie Kirk. The first committee meeting took place on a Thursday morning.

Committee's Objectives

The committee was formed in response to students appearing to mock or celebrate Kirk's death. Lawmakers aim to discuss:

• Encouraging respectful discussions
• Protecting free speech on campuses
• Ensuring universities comply with a new law granting the state more control over school operations

Incidents Following Kirk's Death

Several serious incidents have occurred since Kirk's passing:

• A student was expelled from Texas State University after a video showed them reenacting the killing. The governor demanded immediate expulsion.
• Another student is no longer at Texas Tech after being arrested for assault.
• The state's attorney general is investigating the University of North Texas for not disciplining students who celebrated the death.

First Amendment Protections and Legal Challenges

Experts argue that most student actions are likely protected by the First Amendment. However, the state is working to balance free speech with campus safety. Recent laws controlling protests have faced legal challenges, with some provisions being blocked by courts.

Upcoming Meeting Details

Over a dozen individuals will present their views at the meeting, including:

• University lawyers
• Administrators
• Students from various Texas schools