One of America’s worst problems today is that people in official positions (university presidents, police officers, and others) think they are above the law and never accountable when they act illegally. The decision in Barnes puts college officials on notice that qualified immunity is not going to shield them against lawsuits if they trample upon the procedural and constitutional rights of students.
—George Leef, “Valdosta State Case Puts College Officials On Notice: You Can’t Violate The First Amendment”