DeJong v. Pembrook

Summary

While a graduate student in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Art Therapy program, Maggie DeJong, like many other students, posted materials to her social media accounts, sent messages to fellow students, and engaged in class discussions on an array of topics. But because DeJong’s beliefs often differed from those of other students in the program, beliefs informed by her Christian faith and political stance, several of her fellow students reported her speech to university officials. The officials then issued no-contact orders against DeJong, prohibiting her from having “any contact” or even “indirect communication” with three fellow graduate students who complained that her expression of religious and political viewpoints constituted “harassment” and “discrimination.” DeJong sued the university for violating her civil and constitutional rights because of her viewpoint.