At their Oct. 27, 2022, meeting, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) approved a new policy section establishing the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee to the OSRHE. Formation of this new committee reflects provisions of House Bill 3543, authored by Rep. Chad Caldwell, which was signed into law during the 2022 regular legislative session.
Statutorily defined duties of the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee include:
- Reviewing free speech policies of State System institutions.
- Reviewing free speech training of State System institutions.
- Making recommendations to State System institutions about improvements to free speech policies and training.
- Developing a process of collecting complaints of free speech violations at State System institutions and advising complainants of their rights.
- Reviewing any free speech complaints filed with the committee.
- Developing or identifying a First Amendment training to be required every two years of all college deans, department heads and campus personnel responsible for establishing free speech policies or handling free speech complaints.
The members of the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee are as follows:
- Andy Lester, Attorney/Partner, Spencer Fane LLP (Committee Chair)
- Chad Caldwell, Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 40
- Valerie Couch, Professor/Dean Emeritus, Oklahoma City University School of Law
- Kay Floyd, Oklahoma State Senate, District 45
- Dr. Raul Font, Dissertation Chair, Southern Nazarene University
- Dr. Rick Hall, Vice President, Student Affairs (retired), Oklahoma City University
- Mariana Pitts, Attorney, McAlister, McAlister & Nicklas PLLC
- Hayley Jones, Associate General Counsel, Oklahoma City Public Schools
- Jeffrey W. Hickman, State Regent
For more information about the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee, contact us at freespeech@osrhe.edu.