Student’s free speech violation will cost DMACC $13,800

Several weeks ago we reported on a case involving Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) after college officials barred a Christian student at the college from distributing fliers containing religious and political messages in the open-air quad on campus. Now we are finding out that the action complained of has cost the college nearly $14,000.

The flyers the student, Jacob Dagel, wanted to pass out criticized the school for subsidizing tickets to a conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. A campus security officer told Dagel that students must obtain a permit 10 school days prior to the activity and remain in a designated area.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a law suit against the college in the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The college capitulated almost immediately and agreed to longer enforce its policy. Now it is reported that DMACC has been ordered to pay Dagel $100 in damages and to pay his attorney’s fees of $13,700.