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Fellowship of Christian University Students at the University of Texas, et al. v. Board of Regents of The University of Texas System

June 2025
Board of Regents of The University of Texas System (Public college or university)
Richardson, TX

Identity of Speakers

  • Fellowship of Christian University Students at UT Dallas
    Student
    Other

    A religious student organization whose evening meetings and campus events were restricted by SB 2972; Plaintiff

  • The Retrograde
    Student
    Other

    UT Dallas student newspaper whose journalistic activities, including coverage of events and distribution of content after hours, were limited by the law; Plaintiff

  • Texas Society of Unconventional Drummers
    Student
    Other

    Student musical group whose performances were affected by the nighttime and end-of-semester restrictions; Plaintiff

  • Strings Attached
    Student
    Other

    Student music ensemble that faced prohibitions on performing during the hours and periods restricted by SB 2972; Plaintiff

  • Young Americans for Liberty
    Student
    Other

    Student political organization whose advocacy and on-campus events were curtailed by the law; Plaintiff

  • Zall Arvandi
    Student
    Other

    Individual UT Dallas student whose expressive activities, including participation in meetings, performances, and advocacy, were directly limited by SB 2972; Plaintiff

Resources

Additional Information

  • Incident Nature:
    Rally or protest
    Lawsuit
    Other
  • Incident Political Orientation:
    Not Clear
  • Incident Responses:
    Rally or Protests
    University administration invoked formal speech code in response
    Litigation
    State Campus Free Speech Act
    Title IX or other federal statute
  • Incident Status:
    In litigation Federal District Court
    In litigation Federal Court of Appeals
  • Was Speech Code incident

Summary

In early September 2025, a coalition of student organizations and individuals, including the Fellowship of Christian University Students at UT Dallas, the student newspaper The Retrograde, the Texas Society of Unconventional Drummers, Strings Attached, Young Americans for Liberty, and student Zall Arvandi, filed a federal lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 2972, known as the Campus Protection Act. The suit named University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife and other officials as defendants and sought to block enforcement. Plaintiffs argued the law violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments by restricting religious gatherings, musical performances, journalistic work, and political advocacy at times when such activities often occurred.

The law, passed by the Texas Legislature in May 2025, restricted expressive activity at public universities between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. and during the final two weeks of each semester. It included prohibitions on amplified sound, percussion instruments, invited speakers during the end of the term, encampments, disguises to conceal identity, and required students and employees to show proof of status at protests. Supporters said the law would prevent disruptions and protect students, faculty, and campus property, while critics said it created broad periods and zones where free expression was effectively prohibited.

In August 2025, the University of Texas System Board of Regents began implementing the law by eliminating faculty senates and approving new rules for demonstrations. University officials said these actions were necessary to comply with state law, while faculty and students described them as an erosion of shared governance and an infringement on free speech. On August 26, the Regents adopted a systemwide policy to enforce the law, prompting additional opposition from student and faculty groups.

In October 2025, a federal judge paused enforcement of key aspects of the law, citing First Amendment concerns, including limits on the times when students could protest, restrictions on off-campus speakers invited by student groups during the final two weeks of the semester, and prohibitions on amplified sound and percussion. Following the ruling, the UT System indicated it would seek to enforce the Campus Protection Act and filed an appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.