LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has fallen sharply in a national survey of campus free speech, dropping from 66th place last year to 141st out of 257 schools in 2026.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) gave Utah State an overall score of 56.9, an “F” grade for speech climate. The rankings, released Sept. 9, come as the Logan campus has grappled with free expression debates surrounding the planned visit of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated before his scheduled appearance.

Kirk’s invitation, coordinated with Turning Point USA, sparked petitions and dozens of letters to the editor at Cache Valley Daily. Alumni, students, and faculty clashed publicly over whether the event should proceed, with opponents calling for its cancellation an

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