State University System of Florida: System Chancellor Issues Directive to Crack Down on Celebrations of Campus Violence
Cases
Florida A&M University
Case Overview
On September 15, 2025, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk鈥檚 shooting, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida Ray Rodrigues issued a memo to the 12 SUSF member universities calling for punishment of those who 鈥渃elebrat[e] or excus[e] campus violence.鈥 The memo stated such behavior would not be tolerated and directed university presidents to review policies, procedures, and codes of conduct to ensure punishment. On September 29, FIREwrote to the member universities, as well as the system chancellor, reminding them the First Amendment protects speech that glorifies or advocates for violence. We urged them not to punish First Amendment-protected expression at the behest of the chancellor.
- Faculty Rights
- Free Speech
- Student Rights
- Florida A&M University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida International University
- Florida State University
- New College of Florida
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of North Florida
- University of South Florida
- University of West Florida