Minnesota (1997)

Inspired by legal attacks on campus fees in Wisconsin, a bill to dismantle the current system of funding student activities was introduced into the Minnesota State legislature in April.  The bill would get rid of the mandatory student activity fee that students and administrators support campus programs with. 

The bill's sponsor, Representative John Turm, was attempting to codify the recent opinion handed down by a Wisconsin District Court in the case of Southworth v. Grebe (1996).  That opinion, currently on appeal to the 7th Circuit, held that it was a violation of a students' first amendment rights to fund any organization with which the student disagrees "politically" or "ideologically."  The opinion runs contrary to the established precedent of many other cases around the country.

Even if the Southworth case survives appeal, the case would not be binding in Minnesota.  This bill is Tuma's attempt to limit student activities through the legislature.

Students from Minnesota technical schools, community colleges, and the state university system sent a clear message opposing the initiative via e-mail, letters, and personal visits to the capitol.  The bill failed to pass out of committee in either house of the State legislature.