Colleges across the U.S. disciplined at least 26 faculty members for online comments about a high‑profile campus killing, triggering lawsuits and a national debate about academic freedom. Investigations, firings and suspensions followed public outrage and lawmaker pressure; several sanctioned instructors have sued their institutions alleging First Amendment violations. At the same time, state legislatures enacted a record 21 higher‑education ‘censorship’ bills in 2025, targeting curricular content, faculty governance and campus speech. The convergence of disciplinary actions and new state laws has amplified legal and reputational risk for campus boards and administrators. University counsel and governance offices need to audit disciplinary processes, re-evaluate social-media guidance for employees, and prepare for increased litigation. Trustees should expect lawmakers and donors to press for accountability while civil‑liberties groups press for campus protections.