University

Pro-Palestinian Organization Seeks Judicial Green Light for Vigil at University of Maryland on October 7

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College Park, Md. — A pro-Palestinian advocacy group is pushing for a federal judge to green-light a vigil slated for October 7 at the University of Maryland, aiming to spotlight Palestinian rights and promote awareness amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. The event, organized by the group, faces opposition citing potential security concerns and disruptions to campus activities. The upcoming vigil, according to event organizers, is intended to honor Palestinian lives lost in the ongoing conflict and to generate a broader dialogue about human rights and international policy toward Israel and Palestine. They hope … Read more

Federal Judge to Review University of Maryland Ban on Student Vigil Commemorating Gaza Lives

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Greenbelt, MD – A federal court is set to evaluate the claims of a University of Maryland student group alleging First Amendment violations after their planned vigil to commemorate lives lost in Gaza was cancelled by the university. The hearing, scheduled for Monday, stems from a lawsuit filed by the University of Maryland Students for Justice in Palestine, which argues that the university unjustly prohibited their “interfaith vigil” initially approved for October 7. The event was intended to mark one year since the commencement of hostilities in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on Israel, … Read more

Vanderbilt University Tops Settlement Payments with $55 Million in Major Financial Aid Antitrust Lawsuit

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Nashville, Tenn. — Vanderbilt University has reached a settlement in a high-profile class action lawsuit that accused it and other prominent institutions of colluding to limit financial aid, which would have interfered with fair competition. This settlement is part of a broader agreement involving ten of the seventeen universities named in the complaint originally filed in January 2022. The settlement agreement totals $284 million, with Vanderbilt University committing to the highest individual sum of $55 million. This resolution correlates with claims made against an alliance of prestigious universities, which also includes Brown University, the University … Read more

Jury Awards $4 Million to Boise Coffee Shop Owner in First Amendment Lawsuit Against University Administrators

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BOISE, Idaho — In a legal conclusion that caps off a highly publicized three-week trial, Big City Coffee won a significant victory against Boise State University administrators, securing a $3 million award for alleged violations of First Amendment rights. The controversy stemmed from the coffee shop’s display of a law enforcement support sticker, which ignited campus activism and public debate. In August 2021, Sarah Fendley, the owner of Big City Coffee, initiated a $10 million lawsuit targeting Leslie Webb, the former vice president for student affairs, and Alicia Estey, chief financial and operating officer at … Read more