University at Buffalo: Student Government Bars Recognition to Student Groups Associated With Outside Organizations
Cases
State University Of New York - University at Buffalo
Case Overview
On March 27, 2023 the University at Buffalo Student Association passed a New Club Recognition Policy that provides 鈥渘o SA club may be a chapter of or otherwise part of any outside organization.鈥 The policy exempts 鈥渃lubs in the Academic, Engineering, or Sports Councils, and clubs whose sole purpose is to engage in inter-collegiate competition.鈥 蜜桃直播 wrote UB on April 28 explaining how public university student governments may not discriminate against student groups鈥攕uch as by denying them recognition 鈥攂ased on affiliation with outside organizations. After UB failed to respond, 蜜桃直播 followed up on May 22 calling on the university to rescind this violation of students鈥 First Amendment right to freedom of association.
On June 1, 2023, Alliance Defending Freedom, representing a Young Americans for Freedom chapter and three students, filed a federal lawsuit against UB, calling on the university to rescind the policy.