SAN MARCOS, Texas - Texas lawmakers want to make sure free speech isn't being restricted on the state's college campuses. On Wednesday, state senators held a committee hearing at Texas State University to discuss first amendment rights and how to make sure they're protected.
"Open forums for individuals to learn about different viewpoints," said Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston.
Some state lawmakers are concerned that Texas' institutions of higher learning aren't as open as they could be. Students and other witnesses testified that unpopular views are sometimes being shouted down, and there can be unnecessary burdens for student groups who want to host controversial speakers.
"We all want to be sure that the first amendment rights that we're here to discuss are protected for all of us," said Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound.
A representative from the Texas Attorney General's Office said lawmakers have options when it comes to free speech legislation.
"The Constitution provides the floor, not the ceiling, for these individual rights. You can always legislate to a greater degree of protection," said Deputy First Assistant AG Brantley Starr.
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It comes as students on both sides of the political spectrum say they don't always feel like they can express their views on Texas State's campus.
"We've had people spit on, punched. I mean this is something that's going on around the whole country, and I think administrators are a little bit ignorant to it," said Collin Pruett of the Texas State College Republicans.
Others say a controversial article can get them fired from the school newspaper and threatened by fellow students.
"I was receiving calls incessantly from people threatening to hurt me. Eventually I just stopped picking up the phone it just kept ringing," said Rudy Martinez, a former columnist for the University Star.
Martinez was fired from the paper after he wrote an editorial entitled “Your DNA is an abomination."
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Meanwhile, administrators at Texas State and other Texas institutions say they're doing the best they can to protect free speech.
"I think that the issues that we have confronted here are addressed through the educational process," said Texas State President Denise Trauth.
Still, lawmakers are looking at whether crafting legislation could better clarify a campus free speech environment.
On Wednesday, witnesses made a number of recommendations, which included crafting heckling policies for universities and possibly punishing students caught in the act. Other recommendations included reducing security fees for campus organizations who host controversial speakers.