California State University, Dominguez Hills is a public university in Carson, Calif., which holds a red light rating according to the campus free speech rating system developed by the Foundation of Individual Rights in Education.
Although classified as a red light institution, CSU, Dominguez Hills has many yellow-light rated policies. According to FIRE, this means that the university has policies that “restrict a more limited amount of protected expression or, by virtue of their vague wording, could too easily be used to restrict protected expression.”
For example, the university requires the use of a “Free Expression Area,” for expression of thought which is generally available “10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.” Students, faculty, staff, or university organizations are required to book use of the “Free Expression Area” through the Student Union Administration Office.
“The campus environment here supports the freedom of speech and expression, but it’s something that is still in the policies at the university,” Anthony Lopez, CSU, Dominguez Hills’ YAL chapter president, told the Washington Examiner.
Additionally, according to the university’s Freedom of Expression Policy, “speeches and demonstrations in other areas and times must be approved by the Office of Procurement, Contracts, Logistical and Support Services (PCLASS) at least 48 hours in advance of the event.”
Posting policies also fall under yellow light ratings, as any materials distributed or posted must have a name and phone number (or email address) of the body to which the material belongs. Furthermore, any posting written in a language other than English is required to have an English translation.
“The lengths to which California State, Dominguez Hills goes in order to regulate free speech on campus is erroneous and egregious; 4-year public institutions such as [CSU-DH] are obligated to uphold [the First Amendment] to the full extent of the law,” Young Americans for Liberty’s Director of Free Speech Alexander Staudt told the Washington Examiner.
CSU, Dominguez Hills did not respond to comment in the time of publication.
Nicole Wolkov is a student of International Affairs and Russian Language and Literature at The George Washington University. She serves as a Media Ambassador and chapter member for Young Americans for Liberty.
