Students at Michigan State University are suing a professor who they say made them pay $99 to her political advocacy group and then used the funds to donate to pro-abortion organizations and buy an RV.
The lawsuit was filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Students Nathan Barbieri and Nolan Randomski allege in the 37-page complaint that marketing professor Amy Wisner required them to donate to The Rebellion Community, which she operates. The donations violated their beliefs and their First Amendment rights, they say.
According to the lawsuit, Ms. Wisner has required hundreds of her students to donate $99 to her political group in order to get a subscription and updates on its advocacy. The requirement was printed in her course syllabus, and the students estimate she made about $60,000 each time she taught the marketing class, which is a business school requirement.
Ms. Wisner used the funds to donate to causes that support abortion, having posted on social media that 100% of the funds went to Planned Parenthood. She also allegedly bought an RV with the money to support her political advocacy.
“Defendant Wisner controlled The Rebellion Community and used the membership fees to finance her own political advocacy and to support external groups — including Planned Parenthood — that engage in political speech that is antithetical to the Plaintiffs’ deeply held beliefs,” the lawsuit reads.
Ms. Wisner did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit.
Michigan State officials are also listed as defendants, and spokesperson Mark Bullion said the university won’t comment on pending litigation.
“I will note that Amy Wisner is not currently employed by the university, and the College of Business has reimbursed students for the cost of their subscription,” Mr. Bullion said.
Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the students. Logan Spena, senior counsel with ADF, said professors can’t force students to contribute to messages they disagree with.
“Michigan State officials have violated the First Amendment and federal civil rights laws by authorizing professors to force students to support speech antithetical to their deepest values and faith,” Mr. Spena said.
The students who brought the lawsuit are from East Lansing, Michigan, and are studying finance and supply chain management. They are Christians who are pro-life and believe “that God’s design for human sexuality, marriage, and the family is a part of the natural law,” the lawsuit states.
“Plaintiffs Barbieri and Radomski wish to obtain an education without being compelled to support speech opposing their views or join groups organized to express messages opposing their views,” the lawsuit states.
They are asking the court to halt the professor from continuing to collect money from students for advocacy and for financial compensation.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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