Press Release - Amicus Brief on Bias Response Systems

ALUMNI FREE SPEECH ALLIANCE
The Alumni Free Speech Alliance and Nine other Alumni Groups File Amicus Brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to decide if Bias Response Systems chill free speech on College and University Campuses

Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2023) – The Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA) and alumni groups from nine colleges and universities submitted a brief amicus curiae to the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday [supremecourt.gov] urging the court to hear a case brought by Speech First over the issue of bias reporting practices and procedures at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Charles Davis, the President of AFSA explained that “the use of bias reporting systems has become pervasive across American college and university campuses and these systems create a climate of fear and intimidation that causes many students to self-censor and discourages constitutionally protected speech. These bias reporting systems have no place at a university whose defining purpose as a place of learning and human fulfillment can only be achieved through a steadfast commitment to free speech.”

AFSA is an alliance of alumni groups from 22 colleges and universities with more than 50,000 alumni, faculty and student supporters. AFSA and its related groups seek to support free speech, academic freedom and viewpoint diversity at American colleges and universities.

The alumni groups joining AFSA in submitting the brief amicus curiae are:

University of California Free Speech Alliance

Cornell Free Speech Alliance

Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought and Discourse

The Generals Redoubt (Washington & Lee University)

Harvard Alumni for Free Speech

The Jefferson Council of the University of Virginia

MIT Free Speech Alliance

Princetonians for Free Speech

UNC Free Speech Alliance

Questions to AFSA may be directed to Charles Davis at (301) 531-5174 or
info@alumnifreespeechalliance.org.