Former graduate student Maggie DeJong filed the lawsuit against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) last year.

She was enrolled in SIUE's art therapy counseling program when school officials issued three "no contact" orders against her in Feb. 2022 and launched an investigation after other students complained her views were "harmful" and "harassment."

DeJong shared her opinions in classroom discussions on religion, COVID-19, censorship, Marxism, and Critical Race Theory (CRT). She also posted about her pro-life position and defense of Kyle Rittenhouse on her Instagram account, according to ADF.

She was banned from having "any contact," including "indirect communication" with three art therapy students who complained.

"Maggie wasn't given a chance to defend herself," her legal team wrote in a case explanation. "When they issued the orders, university officials didn't even tell her what the allegations against her were, and they did not identify a single law, policy, or rule that she had violated. That's because she hadn't violated any."

The lawsuit was filed against former SIUE Chancellor Randall Pembrook; Jamie Ball, the director for Equal Opportunity, Access, and Title IX coordinator; and Megan Robb, program director of the Art Therapy Counseling Graduate Program.

"Public universities can't punish students for expressing their political and religious viewpoints," said ADF attorney Mathew Hoffmann. "Maggie, like every other student, is protected under the First Amendment to respectfully share her personal beliefs, and university officials were wrong to issue gag orders and silence her speech."

As a result of the settlement, three professors will receive mandatory First Amendment training, which Hoffmann called one step "closer to accepting and embracing true diversity of thought and speech."

The university will also revise its policies and student handbook to "ensure students with varying political, religious, and ideological views are welcome in the art therapy program."

SIUE Chancellor James Minor acknowledged the settlement in a statement to the New York Post and called on people to "see beyond the sensationalism of clickbait, media reports, and headlines in search of a more complete understanding of the facts."

"SIUE is unequivocally committed to protecting First Amendment rights and does not have policies that restrict free speech nor support censorship," Minor said. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Caleb Parke is the SMG managing editor. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com. 

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Should Christians Vote? Longtime Bible Teacher Steve Gregg Gave This Excellent Answer...

Watch: JD Vance Turns to Prayer as Medical Emergency Halts Rally

FBI: Powerful Virginia Democrat Arrested on Drug, Racketeering, Money Laundering Charges

FBI Stops Alleged ISIS Plot to Kill Texas Congressman

Polling Scandal Rocks the Midterms, Fueling More Skepticism about the Media's Lopsided Projections

What's In a Name? Perhaps the Truth. DOJ Court Filing Disputes Rep. Ilhan Omar's Name

8-1 Supreme Court Decision Upends Student ID Fight in Battleground Days Before Key Senate Election

First Lady Melania Trump Brokers Ukraine-Russia Temporary Ceasefire

Archeologist Believes His Team Has Confirmed the Site of Jesus' Baptism

Small Business Administration's Million Dollar Pitch Competition

Town Gave Muslim School Permission to Bring In 90 Students, Then It Went Rogue and Brought in Hundreds More (Video)

House Committee Report Details 'Dangerous Consequences' of Sanctuary County's Soros-Backed Attorney

New Migrant Caravan Leaves Southern Mexico in Hopes for Democrat Win in Midterms

US Supreme Court Allows Prisoner Transgender Operations at Taxpayer Expense

Prayer Alert: The Discovered and Exposed Real Coup Plan in America

Donnie Wahlberg Praises God After Private Jet Runs Off Las Vegas Runway

Prayer Alert: Calvary Chapel Pastor and Wife Killed Outside Home, Leaving 2 Teenage Children

Alberta Votes to Remain in Canada But Take More Control from Carney Gov't

Inside the Secret Democrat Plot to Weaponize Congress Against Elon Musk

Senate Showdown: Jews, Muslims and the Fight for Michigan