Binghamton University to be investigated by the US Department of Education - WBNG-TV

(WBNG) -- The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Binghamton University for a possible violation of freedom of speech and the Higher Education Act.

In November of 2019, College Republicans were hosting a tabling event in a common space on campus. They say they were distributing information about a visiting speaker.

The Department of Education says in this report, another unaffiliated group was nearby, displaying signs of support for the second amendment. This caused approximately 200 students to protest, and destroy material from the College Republicans.

The report says Binghamton University allegedly did not protect freedom of speech rights for College Republicans, and knew that protests would disrupt events hosted by the group.

You can read the statement sent to 12 News from Binghamton University below:

"As an institution of higher education, Binghamton University is
committed to freedom of speech, academic inquiry, and the exchange of
ideas as part of our mission. Binghamton University maintains that we
acted consistently with this mission and with the requirements of the
First Amendment and the Higher Education Act, and we will respond to
the investigation accordingly."