The issue of freedom of speech concerning the Penn State Board of Trustees is once again a court suit,
As one trustee continues to speak out about the policies governing trustees public comments.
The latest suit in Federal court filed by several media groups claiming the trustee public speech restrictions violate first amendment, freedom of speech rights and are termed gag orders by those filing suit.
The trustee guidelines include obtaining guidance and pre approval from the University’s office of strategic communication before speaking to the press, and that the trustee comments should not be negative about Penn State, and fellow trustees.
In the lawsuit, a letter received from trustee leadership to Trustee Emerita Alice Pope is cited in which Pope is criticized about speaking at a may 2025 press conference, without prior approval, about Commonwealth campuses closing.
This week,current trustee Anthony Lubrano, saying he and several other trustees receiving similar letters termed a letter of counseling about their comments at the same press conference.
The letter talking about failing to comply with the trustee code of conduct. For Lubrano, not the first time he’s heard or seen similar statements.
In 2024, after an interview, talking about renaming Beaver Stadium, Lubrano received a note from trustee leadership that included commentary about the interview.
In a statement released this week about the trustee, public speaking bylaw changes lubrano says “I too have become more cautious and selective about what I say publicly, even when I believe speaking would benefit the University
and its community”.