The Student Press Law Center is calling on Texas State University to restore paid advertising it removed from The University Star’s campus newsracks this month.
In a letter sent today to Texas State University System administrators, SPLC argues that removing the student newspaper’s political advertising conflicts with the university’s own policies and student press protections. It also jeopardizes the paper’s revenue that funds its journalism.
“Every future advertiser and editor will now wonder whether a paid placement can be pulled at an administrator’s request,” the letter states.
Since Oct. 23, Texas State has directed staff to turn around and then remove the Star’s paid political advertisements from its newsracks across campus. Administrators originally cited a university policy that, by its own terms, restricts candidates and does not mention student publications. After the Star objected in writing, the university’s rationale shifted to unnamed rules on “the use of university facilities for certain advertising and solicitation purposes.”
The university has long permitted the Star to distribute its newspapers on racks inside university buildings, and these racks have carried paid advertising since they were installed in 2023.
“The university approved paid advertising in these racks, in these buildings, long before anyone objected to one advertiser’s message,” the SPLC letter states.
After administrators told the Star’s adviser the ads violated university policy, and building staff later began removing them, editor in chief Andrew Bencivengo wrote to administrators with his concerns, asked the university to identify the rule it relied on, and offered a good-faith accommodation near a campus polling location.
Bencivengo said he was disappointed that the university did not engage in that conversation.
“I am extremely disheartened by the university’s decision to remove advertisements that The Star relies on to operate and produce quality journalism,” Bencivengo said in a statement. “I have taken repeated steps to resolve this directly with the university, and have received opposing communication as to why this decision was made. This has left me no choice but to assume that this decision was made due to the university trying to exert its power, and encroach on our editorial independence.
With Election Day just days away, SPLC joins Bencivengo in calling for a written response to these concerns by noon on Friday, Oct. 30.
In addition to support from the SPLC, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression also sent a letter calling on the university to restore the advertising.
Texas State Executive Vice President Eric Algoe told the Star that “the university recognizes and supports the editorial independence of student media.”
SPLC welcomes that commitment but notes that removing the paper’s advertising content does not honor it.
“A few clear sentences from your office would settle the question and show The University Star’s editors that their university keeps its own promises,” the letter says.
The Student Press Law Center is the nation’s only legal organization devoted exclusively to defending and advancing the free press rights of student journalists. Since 1974, we have helped students and their educators navigate the law, strengthen their reporting and stand up for press freedom. Our legal support, education and advocacy empower student journalists to report freely and courageously. Stay updated by subscribing at splc.org/newsletter.