University of Washington Settled Lawsuit With Professor
The institution paid $600,000 to resolve a First Amendment case involving a mock land acknowledgment.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Higher Education
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In September 2026, the University of Washington agreed to a $600,000 settlement to end a First Amendment lawsuit brought by professor Stuart Reges. The dispute arose after the university removed Reges' mock land acknowledgment from his 2022 course syllabus.
Why it matters
The settlement concludes a legal battle centered on allegations of viewpoint discrimination and institutional censorship. By reaching this agreement, the university avoided a scheduled damages trial and further legal expenses.
The University of Washington paid a $600,000 settlement to Stuart Reges. This figure compensates the professor following litigation over his 2022 course syllabus statements.
The players
Stuart Reges
He is a computer science professor at the University of Washington who challenged the institution over academic freedom.
University of Washington
It is a public research university based in Seattle that faced litigation regarding its academic policies.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
This federal court hears appeals from district courts and issued a ruling in favor of the professor in this case.
The details
The conflict began when the university removed Reges' mock land acknowledgment and created an alternate course section for affected students. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit previously ruled in favor of the professor, prompting the university to settle to prevent further litigation.
Timeline
The computer science school first recommended land acknowledgments in 2019.
Professor Reges added a mock land acknowledgment to his syllabus in 2022.
Four Washington universities filed an amicus brief requesting a rehearing in February 2026.
The University of Washington agreed to the settlement in September 2026.
Culture Shift
This settlement highlights the intersection of academic freedom and institutional policy at public universities. It follows a growing trend of legal scrutiny regarding university speech codes and syllabus requirements.
The resolution of this case settles a high-profile dispute within the Seattle academic community. Faculty and students may see a shift in how syllabi and course materials are managed across campus departments.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder of the legal complexity involved in managing speech and academic materials on public campuses. Institutions must carefully balance their internal policies with federal protections for faculty expression.
Further reading
For more on the current climate surrounding academic policy, visit Higher Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Signal.
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