University Punishment for Facebook Posts By Mortuary Student Isn’t Unconstitutional

A mortuary science student may be disciplined for Facebook posts violating established professional conduct standards so long as the school’s online commentary restrictions are narrowly tailored and directly related to the standards, the Minnesota Supreme Court held June 20 in a case of apparent first impression (Tatro v. University of Minnesota, Minn., A10-1440, 6/20/12).

The student made online posts about a cadaver dissection, threats to use medical instruments to harm others, and other topics that troubled University of Minnesota faculty concerned over possible violent acts. She was found to have violated the school’s professional standards of conduct ...