Campus Quiet Hours… for the First Amendment?

Texas’ New Campus Speech Law Faces Legal Challenge

A new Texas law aimed at regulating campus conduct is drawing national attention and a lawsuit. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonpartisan civil-liberties organization, has filed suit against the state, arguing that the law effectively bans most forms of student expression after 10 p.m. at public universities

What the Law Does

The law, passed earlier this year, restricts certain types of campus activity at night in an effort to regulate noise levels, campus demonstrations, and late-night disruptions. While supporters say the rule helps maintain safety and order on campus, the broad language has raised concerns among free-speech advocates and student groups.

Why It’s Being Challenged

According to FIRE’s lawsuit, the law imposes an unconstitutional “curfew on speech,” limiting peaceful expression, protests, gatherings, and even informal student discussions that occur outdoors after 10 p.m. The organization argues that the First Amendment protects student speech at all hours and that the law is overly broad and potentially punitive.

How Texas Universities Are Responding

Many campuses are still determining how to interpret and implement the restrictions. Universities have been balancing state compliance with their own policies on academic freedom, student life, and public-expression rights. Student organizations have expressed worry that the law could chill activism, particularly for groups that rely on late-evening meetings or events.

What to Watch Next

The lawsuit’s outcome could have major implications for free-speech policy across Texas’ higher-education system. If the court rules in FIRE’s favor, universities may need to revise enforcement practices and the state could face pressure to rewrite or narrow the law. If the law stands, campuses will likely continue working to define how to apply the restrictions while avoiding conflicts with constitutional rights.