Universities continue to navigate high‑stakes cases on faculty speech and employment: Harvard economics figure Larry Summers went on leave as the university reopens reviews after disclosures about ties to Jeffrey Epstein; Florida Atlantic reinstated two professors placed on leave for social‑media comments after an external investigator found First Amendment protection for some statements. These developments highlight the legal and reputational balancing act between free‑speech protections and campus safety or professionalism standards. Campuses under political scrutiny must ensure investigations are procedurally sound and transparent. Independent reviews, precise investigatory charters and clear disciplinary thresholds help mitigate legal risk and preserve academic freedom. General counsels should map protocols for social‑media investigations, ensure independent investigators are used where conflicts exist, and brief boards on both legal exposures and the institution’s commitment to free‑expression norms.