RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Community College System relaxed its policy governing student speech and demonstrations Tuesday, less than a month after being sued by a student who was barred from preaching on campus.

Community colleges spokesman Jeff Kraus said the executive committee of the system’s 15-member governing board unanimously approved a new policy that eliminates so-called free-speech zones, which confined student expression to designated areas. The new policy takes effect immediately.