The Constitutionality of Window Display Bans on Public University Campuses

Abstract

Historically public universities have been a means for its student population to achieve a sort of freedom that they had not yet experienced during their high school lives. They have entirely new ways to express themselves in a setting like a public college campus. The students are finally away from their guardians and have a chance to be around people their age for the duration of their degree (when referring to traditional students). Being on a college campus allows you so many opportunities to express yourself in every facet of your life. That includes their ability to express themselves through their freedom of expression. Here most campuses provide numerous channels for students to express their feelings on a wide variety of topics including politics, religion, and more. The Supreme Court has protected the rights of college students in several case. Many of these cases involve the student’s free speech rights. However, the Supreme Court of the United States has not yet heard a case involving college student’s rights to display what they please in the public eye of their dorm window.