Like most colleges and universities, Temple University struggles to satisfy all the various stakeholders in its education mission—faculty, students, administrators, parents, politicians, and the general public. One of the most problematic conflicts is between keeping a positive atmosphere on campus and protecting everyone’s First Amendment rights.
And like most colleges and universities, Temple doesn’t always get the balance between these two responsibilities right. For example, the university has, in the past, abandoned free speech protections in the name of protecting students’ feelings. That’s not the way things should work at a public institution.
If you’ve been accused of misconduct over something you’ve said or some opinion you’ve expressed, the LLF National Law Firm can help. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights, and we’ve helped hundreds of students just like you respond to all types of charges. We know the TU system, and we can show you how to use it to your advantage.
To find out more about how we can help, call 888-535-3686 today, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
How Temple Defines Free Speech
Temple doesn’t have a free speech policy. That should tell you something right up front. The university prefers to leave free speech issues undefined. That allows it the maximum latitude to treat individual incidents as it pleases.
Meanwhile, there’s a very clear policy on “Diversity and Inclusion.” Among other statements in this policy, you’ll find the following:
“Temple condemns all forms of discrimination, including all antisemitic, racist or incendiary language, hate speech, calls to violence, and the disparagement of any person or persons based on religion, nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation or identity.”
There’s nothing inherently wrong with such a condemnation. Indeed, it’s admirable in its way. Unfortunately, when it’s not balanced with a commitment to protecting the First Amendment on campus, it sends a troubling message that the proper response to “controversial” or “offensive” speech is a misconduct allegation.
Worse, as TU’s history reveals, administrators often take such allegations seriously. In the past, the university suspended a student serving in the Iraq War for asking his instructor to stop sending anti-war messages to his email account. In 2025, another student was suspended for ordering a light-up bottle service sign with an offensive slogan on it.
You cannot know what will happen if you’ve been accused of misconduct. Even if you should be protected by the First Amendment. The moment you’re charged, contact the LLF National Law Firm. Just having us on your side sends the message that you’re serious about asserting your rights, that you won’t be pushed around or treated unjustly.
The Code of Conduct
Of course, what Temple does have is a Code of Student Conduct, and it uses this Code to go after speech it doesn’t like. Several Code regulations can be used to punish speech that should be protected under the First Amendment.
- Causing Distress: Temple doesn’t just bar physical violence. You can also be charged, investigated, and punished for “conduct,” including electronic communication, that is “unwanted.” No one has the right to harass another person, but there can sometimes be a fine line between passionate speech and harassment.
- Harassment: Elsewhere, the Code includes a lengthy section on discrimination and harassment. To be clear, federal law protects individuals on the basis of protected characteristics like sex, race, and religion. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that even “hate speech” is protected under the First Amendment. Unkind, even offensive, words are not an excuse to punish a student.
- Disruption: TU also maintains several rules and regulations against “disruption,” “disorderly conduct,” and “failure to comply” with university officials. In a pinch, any of these can be used to punish students who speak out. The fact is that any time you say something controversial, you’re likely to create a disruption. You still have the right to say it.
It doesn’t particularly matter what excuse TU comes up with to try to punish you. The LLF National Law Firm has experience handling all types of misconduct charges. If the real reason you’ve been charged is to keep you quiet, though, we don’t mind fighting to protect your First Amendment rights.
Navigating the Disciplinary System
Here’s the thing: TU can’t simply charge you with an offense and impose a sanction. You are entitled to due process, and if you know how to use your rights effectively, you can defend yourself, even from unfair charges.
- Before a Student Conduct Administrator can file a formal charge against you, they must believe the allegations are credible and actionable. If it’s a matter of protected speech, an allegation should not be actionable.
- If you are charged, the Student Conduct Administrator must provide you with notice of those charges. They can’t investigate you in secret. Notice should include the name of your accuser, a description of the allegations, and a list of your due process rights. This information can be crucial to building your defense.
- Further, the Administrator must conduct an investigation. You are “not responsible” until proven “responsible,” which means the university needs concrete evidence to substantiate any charges. As part of this investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story. In addition, you are entitled to review all evidence uncovered in your case.
- The Administrator can decide to dismiss the charges for lack of evidence. Alternatively, they can schedule a hearing before trained, unbiased decision-makers.
- A hearing gives both sides the opportunity to make their cases. You can offer physical evidence if you have any, and you can call witnesses to testify. Of course, you can also raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Decision-makers are tasked with determining whether there is a “preponderance of evidence” against you. In other words, you are only guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Even a “responsible” finding may not be the end of your case. If you feel the university violated your due process rights in any way, you are entitled to file a formal appeal.
As this outline suggests, if you’re charged with an offense, Temple University is not on your side. In fact, in free speech cases, the university will sometimes fight harder because it recognizes that the charges against you are unfair.
Before you do battle with a university, make sure you have help. The LLF National Law Firm is always on your side. No matter what your situation, we’ll use every resource at our disposal to make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Trust Your Case to the LLF National Law Firm
If you’ve been accused of some type of disciplinary misconduct over something you’ve said, you don’t want to try to handle the situation on your own. Your educational and professional futures are at stake.
The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is committed to your future and to ensuring you get justice. We are skilled negotiators, but make no mistake: we’re ready to fight for you any time you need us.
To find out more about how we can help, contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.