Education

PSC Backs Down, Will Print Student Magazine After Free Speech Challenge

Pensacola State College reverses course and funds 100 copies of student-produced Just Opposed after the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression intervened.

Pensacola State College has reversed course and agreed to fund the printing of a student-produced magazine after the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) challenged the school’s initial refusal.

• In a May 18 letter to FIRE, PSC President Ed Meadows acknowledged that funding the printing of Just Opposed—a magazine created collaboratively by Graphic Design and Journalism students during the Spring 2026 term—does not violate state law and falls within the college’s educational mission. The college has authorized printing of 100 copies for students’ personal portfolio use. Read FIRE Response.

What Happened

During the Spring 2026 term, students from PSC’s Graphic Design and Journalism programs teamed up on a class project, producing a print-ready magazine titled Just Opposed. Faculty requested funding to print copies so enrolled students would have a physical copy for their portfolios—a standard professional development tool in both fields.

PSC initially balked, citing Florida Statute 1004.06 on prohibited expenditures. FIRE, a national campus free speech organization, stepped in with a formal letter on May 12 raising concerns about the college’s position.

PSC student journalists will get to see their work in print. This is a victory not only for PSC’s student journalists, but for all students at the college, as PSC is now complying with state law.
—Dominic Coletti, FIRE Program Officer, Campus Rights Advocacy

In his response letter, Meadows drew a careful distinction between “publishing” the magazine as a public-facing student outlet and “printing” copies for personal portfolio use only—arguing the latter was always within the college’s discretion and educational mission.

The College’s Position

PSC’s letter was careful to frame the outcome as a clarification rather than a concession. Meadows wrote that after a full legal review—including input from General Counsel Braden Ball—the college determined that funding the printing complied with state law. The letter also noted:

• No violations of academic freedom rights were committed.
• The assignment was completed and all students received grades without administrative interference.
• PSC currently sponsors three student publications and is not considering adding another.
• The college “takes exception” to any allegation that its administrators or personnel violated the law.

The letter was copied to Dr. Erin Spicer, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, and Dr. Brenda Kelly, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The printing process has already begun, according to the college’s letter. Whether students will ultimately be able to distribute or publish the magazine more broadly remains an open question—PSC’s letter drew a firm line at portfolio use only.

FIRE’s Coletti called the outcome a win for the entire student body, saying PSC is now in compliance with state law. The college, for its part, said it “trusts this matter is now resolved.”