A Tennessee university almost expelled a graduate student after she quoted Cardi B's lyrics. The doctorate wasn't accused of misconduct because she failed to give credit or claim the rapper's work was her own. She was expelled because she posted the lyrics on her personal social media accounts.

Colleges and universities can require a certain level of professionalism from students and faculty members. This doesn't give them the power to control all aspects of a student's life and actions.

If your college or university is targeting you for off-campus conduct or otherwise overstepping in dictating your life, contact the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.

‘Crude' and ‘Vulgar'

Kimberly Diei originally posted the lyrics, which did give credit to the singer, on a personal social media account. The account didn't identify her as a student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy.

The College of Pharmacy investigated Diei for violating the school's code of conduct. The school's Professional Conduct Committee found that she had violated the school's “various professionalism codes” because her posts were crude, vulgar, or sexual.

Nothing in the public record indicates that Diei posted while on campus or when representing the school. The posts in question gave no indication that they related to any aspect of her education.

All the same, the committee voted to expel Diei. A dean later reversed their decision.

Diei filed a lawsuit, alleging the school had violated her First Amendment rights. She and the university settled the case in January 2025.

Professionalism and Representation

Students represent their school. This is especially true for students in graduate programs. Colleges and universities can have codes of conduct and professionalism that include expectations for behavior outside of the classroom and off campus.

This case, however, shows the limits of regulating student conduct. Diei wasn't representing herself on social media as a student of the College of Pharmacy. She posted lyrics, and while those lyrics were explicit, it's a stretch to argue that posting lyrics meant for adults on a private social media account reflects poorly on the school.

Professionalism programs are preparing their students for professions that involve trust and responsibility. It's a stretch to argue that listening to or posting explicit or sexual music during a pharmacist's downtime undermines the profession.

Protect Your Rights

A famous Supreme Court opinion states that a student's rights don't end at the schoolhouse door. In a similar vein, a person doesn't lose rights because they're a student.

Colleges and universities can require students to follow codes of conduct and professionalism. They cannot regulate every aspect of a student's life, especially what a student does in their own time and when not representing their school.

If your school is disciplining you for what you're doing during your personal time, contact the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.