Tulane University: Misconduct Charges Lodged Against Students for Attending Lawful Off-Campus Protest Organized by Disfavored Group
Cases
Tulane University
Case Overview
On March 11, 2025, off-campus group Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized a protest on New Orleans city streets against the detention of a pro-Palestinian activist. SDS was previously a recognized student group at Tulane, but reorganized as an independent group off-campus after Tulane suspended the university chapter in April 2024 for organizing an encampment on campus. On March 19, Tulane charged seven students with misconduct for allegedly attending the off-campus protest because SDS is “not in good standing with the University and is prohibited from operating on campus.” On April 17, ݮƵAPP wrote Tulane urging it to drop the charges because Tulane’s commitment to free expression protects lawful association with off-campus organizations.