The College Fix

University allegedly would not allow YAF to host pro-life or pro-Israel events but did allow a pro-transgender event

A conservative campus group is eyeing legal or lobbying action to reverse what it contends is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University officials repeatedly blocking events students want to host.

An attorney representing the campus chapter of Young America’s Foundation at the STEM institution in Florida fired off a memo demanding administrators rescind a recently updated policy that cracked down on campus events.

The memo cites a campus-wide email sent in late October updating the university’s events and demonstrations guidelines that stated in part “any outdoor events and demonstrations … related to religious and political causes” would be subject to stricter regulations, such as forcing them indoors.

“As always, students are welcome to set up, recruit for, join and participate in student organizations that align with their interests and beliefs,” states the campus notice, a copy of which was provided to The Fix by YAF.

“However, to ensure the safety of all of our students, and out of an abundance of caution, we will only be supporting indoor events related to religious and political causes,” it states, adding that for the “protection” of students, “outdoor events and demonstrations are prohibited until further notice.”

YAF’s Jan. 15 memo, penned by YAF general counsel Victor Bernson, calls out recent incidents at both the university’s Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona campuses that have been impeded by the new policy.

Among them, Bernson argued, were:

• “Stand with Israel” display consisting of Israeli flags showing support for the state of Israel, Jewish students everywhere, and opponents of terrorism

• “9/11: Never Forget” memorial

• “Biology Basics activism project” intended to counter the lie at the heart of transgenderism

• Handing out flyers to promote a speech by truth-teller and transgender surgery opponent Chloe Cole

• “Funeral for Halloween” activism project lampooning “politically correct” restrictions on costumes that commit “cultural appropriation”

• The YAF chapter’s goal of bringing Chloe Cole to campus to present her views to those Embry-Riddle students who might wish to learn from what she has to say

• “Where Does Life Begin?” project showing the various stages of fetal development to expose students to the reality of life in the womb

Bernson goes on to point out that the university allowed a pro-transgender activism project on the “Day of Trans Visibility.”

“It is obvious to any sentient being that Embry-Riddle is employing the same reprehensible double-standard that has prevailed at once revered schools such as Harvard, Columbia, MIT, and Penn,” he wrote.

YAF spokesman Spencer Brown told The College Fix that while no legal action has yet been filed, multiple conservative groups are exploring action.

“Embry-Riddle has chosen to value ‘diversity and inclusion’ over truth,” Brown told The Fix via email. “After passing the speech ban, the school made an exception to allow pro-transgenderism activists to share their message. These acts show that Embry-Riddle favors some viewpoints over others, and YAF’s belief in biological fact are second-class at best.”

The school also blocked the YAF chapter from hosting @ChoooCole on campus to tell her story of detransitioning.

However, the school did approve a pro-transgender project on the “Day of Trans Visibility,” clearly showing a double standard in what can or can’t be said on campus.

— Young Americans for Freedom (@_YAFreedom) January 15, 2025

Bernson urged university leaders to correct the policy, writing that failure to do so would dishonor the university’s commitment to free speech that helped “our nation prevail in the wars that rescued our world from certain tyranny.”

If the “shameful, ill-conceited” ban were to continue, Bernson states he would share the letter with YAF’s “friends,” including in the new presidential administration, Florida governor’s office, and in the Florida and Arizona legislatures.

“YAF strongly believes it is not too late to turn the tide of tyranny,” Brown said. “If Embry-Riddle’s President and Board of Trustees, all of whom received a copy of the letter, care about American values and their own promises to students, they can easily issue an apology and rescind the speech ban.”

Embry-Riddle’s media affairs division did not provide a comment despite several emails from The College Fix in recent weeks.

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