DeJong v. Pembrook

While a graduate student in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Art Therapy program, Maggie DeJong, like many other students, posted materials to her social media accounts, sent messages to fellow students, and engaged in class discussions on an array of topics. But because DeJong’s beliefs often differed from those of other students in the program, beliefs informed by her Christian faith and political stance, several of her fellow students reported her speech to university officials. The officials then issued no-contact orders against DeJong, prohibiting her from having “any contact” or even “indirect communication” with three fellow graduate students who complained that her expression of religious and political viewpoints constituted “harassment” and “discrimination.” DeJong sued the university for violating her civil and constitutional rights because of her viewpoint.

Case timeline

• February 2022: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville issued three no-contact orders against Maggie DeJong. In response, ADF attorneys representing Maggie sent a demand letter to the university asking that it rescind the orders. The university did so by the end of the month.
• March 2022: SIUE dropped its baseless investigation into Maggie and disclosed the materials and information that led to it in the first place.
• May 2022: ADF filed a federal lawsuit against SIUE for violating Maggie’s civil and constitutional rights.
• March 2023: A federal district court ruled that Maggie’s lawsuit could proceed.
• July 2023: As part of a settlement, SIUE agreed to require three professors to attend First Amendment training by ADF attorneys. The university also revised its policies to protect students with diverse political, religious, and ideological views.