Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 294.0

529US1

Unit: $U39

[09-26-01 13:21:31] PAGES PGT: OPIN

Cite as: 529 U. S. 217 (2000)

219

Syllabus

dents to pay a fee which creates the mechanism for the extracurricular
speech in the ﬁrst instance. The University may sustain the extracur-
ricular dimensions of its programs by using mandatory student fees with
viewpoint neutrality as the operational principle. There is symmetry
then in the holding here and in Rosenberger. Pp. 229–234.

2. Because the parties have stipulated that the University’s program
respects the principle of viewpoint neutrality, the program in its basic
structure must be found consistent with the First Amendment. This
decision makes no distinction between campus and off-campus activities;
and it ought not be taken to imply that when the University, its agents,
employees, or faculty speak, they are subject to the First Amendment
analysis which controls in this case. Pp. 234–235.

3. While not well developed on the present record, the referendum
aspect of the University’s program appears to permit RSO funding or
defunding by majority vote of the student body. To the extent the ref-
erendum substitutes majority determinations for viewpoint neutrality
it would undermine the constitutional protection the program requires.
Pp. 235–236.

151 F. 3d 717, reversed and remanded.

Kennedy, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Rehnquist,
C. J., and O’Connor, Scalia, Thomas, and Ginsburg, JJ., joined. Sou-
ter, J., ﬁled an opinion concurring in the judgment, in which Stevens
and Breyer, JJ., joined, post, p. 236.

Susan K. Ullman, Assistant Attorney General of Wiscon-
sin, argued the cause for petitioner. With her on the briefs
were James E. Doyle, Attorney General, and Peter C. An-
derson, Assistant Attorney General.

Jordan W. Lorence argued the cause for respondents.

With him on the brief was Daniel Kelly.*

*Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were ﬁled for the State of
New York et al. by Eliot Spitzer, Attorney General of New York, Preeta
D. Bansal, Solicitor General, Peter H. Schiff, Deputy Solicitor General,
Laura Etlinger, Assistant Attorney General, and Mark B. Rotenberg, and
by the Attorneys General for their respective States as follows: Mark
Pryor of Arkansas, Ken Salazar of Colorado, Thurbert E. Baker of Geor-
gia, Thomas R. Keller of Hawaii, Thomas J. Miller of Iowa, Richard P.
Ieyoub of Louisiana, J. Joseph Curran, Jr., of Maryland, Thomas F. Reilly
of Massachusetts, Mike Hatch of Minnesota, Joseph P. Mazurek of Mon-
tana, Michael F. Easley of North Carolina, Betty D. Montgomery of Ohio,
and Paul G. Summers of Tennessee; for the State of Oregon by Hardy