IB-2-2000-a (February 2000)
Author: Linda Gorman

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Executive Summary

Synopsis: Forcing a person, including a college student, to pay for speech which she does not support is contrary to First Amendment values.

What the bill does: H.B. 1127 would make it illegal for state colleges and universities to impose optional or mandatory student fees that collect money for organizations whose primary purpose is to engage in political or issue advocacy.

Discussion: No one disputes the fact that part of the student fees currently collected by Colorado’s tax supported institutions of higher education are used to promote the political agendas of private groups. Those opposed to this bill argue that one of the bad things about it is that it would cut funds to activist student organizations. They say that eliminating support for such “diverse” groups would expose students to fewer “educational” opportunities and would harm free speech by creating less of it.