FSU Updates Student Conduct Code Expanding Discriminatory Harassment Definition

Florida State University updated its Student Conduct Code to clarify language and expand the definition of discriminatory harassment, sparking concerns among student groups about potential new penalties including campus trespassing for prohibited activities like shouting down opposing viewpoints. Ohio's newly enacted Senate Bill 1 has created a chilling effect on public college campuses by eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, leading to self-censorship and fears of academic and cultural repression among students and faculty. Attorney General Ken Paxton and a multistate coalition have demanded that universities uphold the First Amendment and avoid implementing policies that suppress conservative speech, especially following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The killing of Kirk has intensified debates over free speech culture in the U.S., highlighting tensions between protecting expression and the consequences of violent extremism, with some voices cautioning against the erosion of open dialogue. Meanwhile, student walkouts advocating for gun control in Minnesota, organized by a prominent anti-gun lobbying group, reveal the politicization of school safety debates, with critics arguing such measures do not effectively address violence and infringe on constitutional rights. Collectively, these developments reflect ongoing national conflicts over free speech, campus policies, political expression, and cultural values in American higher education.