AMHERST, N.Y. — UB's Young Americans for Freedom announced Friday, it's suing the school's student government after their group was kicked off of campus.
Hundreds protested, picketed, and chanted — some needing police restraint — back in March when YAF brought conservative speaker Michael Knowles to campus.
“I find it absolutely repulsive that the university has allowed this man to come to our school,” said UB freshman Claire Heyck in March.
Since then, UB's Student Government changed the rules governing campus organizations, which led to YAF being kicked out. The group is claiming the student government is violating students’ first amendment rights, wants the policy repealed, and filed suit in federal court.
YAF's lawyer Caleb Dalton tells 2 On Your Side, "What the university does teaches the value of free speech and these students are going to be the lawmakers, the policy makers the businessmen and women of tomorrow. And if they are taught that you can restrict through the force of government your ability to associate together, freedom in the future will be denied."
But not all of UB’s 400+ clubs fall under these new rules. The student senate divides all clubs into seven different councils at their discretion. Those on the academic, engineering, and sports councils are exempt from this rule change, while others like YAF and some religious groups — which fall under the special interest council — lost their organization status due to their national affiliation.
WGRZ reached out to UB for a statement and was told the university does not comment on pending litigation.
UB does say "The Student Association (SA) is one of seven independent student governments at the University at Buffalo. SA is a separate, self-governing non-profit organization, led by elected student leaders who serve and represent undergraduate students at the university. Elected student leaders develop and establish SA policies independent of the university.
UB’s Division of Student Life is aware of SA’s new club recognition policy and its impact on clubs in the hobby, international, POC, and special interest councils. The Office of Student Engagement is available to meet with impacted clubs to explore alternative recognizing agent opportunities that may help maintain the benefits of university-wide recognition, including the ability to reserve space on campus, table, fundraise and hold a university financial account.
UB strives to create an environment in which diverse opinions can be expressed and heard. As a public university, it is a fundamental value of UB that all members of the campus community have a right to express their views and opinions, regardless of whether others may disagree with those expressions."