FIRE calls on Utah State to drop policy used to block student critics on social media When Zachary Grant Bess used the word “bastards” in a tweet criticizing the lack of exits in Utah State University’s library, he was surprised by the university’s reaction. As The Utah Statesman — USU’s student newspaper — reports, the official Utah State University account responded by blocking Bess’ account on Twitter. Today, FIRE wrote a letter to USU calling on the public university to rescind its unconstitutional social media policy — which was employed to block Bess on this occasion — and which chills the expressive rights of all USU students. FIRE reminded USU that the First Amendment, by which the university is legally bound, extends to interactive, online forums — like USU’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.