New Texas Law Aims to Quell College Campus Demonstrations
On June 20, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 2972 into Texas state law, and it goes into effect September 1, 2025. This new law could significantly limit students’ and college employees’ abilities to participate in college campus protests and demonstrations.
In a partial reversal of the 2019 Texas law, which previously established that all common outdoor spaces on public college campuses can be used as a public forum, SB 18 and SB 2972 grant collegiate leaders the ability to decide which parts of college campuses are public forums. This law also bans encampments, demonstrations taking place between 10 PM and 8 AM, demonstrations taking place within the last two weeks of classes, wearing masks or other garments that conceal your identity, and lowering U.S. or Texas flags to raise another nation’s or organization’s flag.
Are you facing disproportionately harsh discipline from a college or university due to exercising your right to protest? The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team can help. Call us at 888-535-3686 or send us a message online.
The Future of Campus Protests in Texas
You have the right to peaceful protest and expressive activities in a public square under the First Amendment. However, as a Texas student or college employee, the interpretation of this law may be overly broad, and enforcement may be chaotic as a result. For example, college administrators with ideological biases may allow certain types of demonstrations but not others, or declare the entire campus a closed space where protest is not permitted at all. Banning masks can also create a dangerous and inhospitable learning environment for disabled students and students who live with medically vulnerable people.
SB 2972 will undoubtedly be challenged in lower courts, and completely halting campus protests would violate students’ and college employees’ constitutional rights. But while the law is in effect, SB 2972 may give college administrators carte blanche to retaliate against student demonstrators and make your academic pursuits unnecessarily difficult.
Campus Protests and College Codes of Conduct
The alleged goal of this new law is to enhance campus safety, curtail unnecessary disruption, and prevent outside agitators at college campuses throughout Texas. While the law does not address disciplinary measures for students or college employees who participate in demonstrations, your college or university may use SB 2972 as a springboard to change their disciplinary model going forward. College administrators in Texas may try to ban campus protests altogether by amending their code of conduct, citing this law.
Your college may also already have a strict code of conduct in place concerning legal violations of any kind. Some collegiate codes of conduct proclaim that a student who violates the law could be subject to probation or expulsion. If you participate in a protest or demonstration on campus, and you are accused of violating this new Texas law or collegiate rules on protests, it can put your academic progress at risk.
If you are facing disciplinary action by your college or university for exercising your right to free speech in a public forum, it can put your future in jeopardy. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team defends students and college employees nationwide, and we are prepared to advocate for campus demonstrators in Texas. Call us at 888-535-3686 or send us a message online.