Republicans in Wisconsin have introduced another bill that would allow University of Wisconsin System and technical college officials to expel students who inhibit free speech rights.
Sen. Leah Vukmir and Rep. Adam Jarchow began circulating the bill for co-sponsors last week. The measure also would prohibit administrators in both systems from expressing themselves on public controversies and require schools to let speakers onto campus even if they can’t guarantee their safety. Organizing protests to dissuade speakers from visiting would be prohibited.
“Across the country, free speech rights are under assault,” Vukmir said in a statement. “Students, professors and administrators are using intimidation tactics to silence those they disagree with. Now is not the time to treat this issue lightly; well thought-out legislative action is required. This must end.”
Other GOP lawmakers began circulating a similar bill last week. That bill doesn’t apply to technical colleges, however, and doesn’t require schools to allow speakers even if it’s unsafe.
The University of California-Berkeley this year has canceled speeches by conservative Ann Coulter and former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos due to security concerns.
