Lincoln University of Pennsylvania is suing Lower Oxford Township and its board of supervisors over a new special events ordinance that would impact large gatherings at the HBCU.
Ordinance 2026-02 requires a formal permit for any event expected to draw more than 500 people, which includes events like Lincoln’s homecoming celebrations and commencement ceremonies. Permit applications must be submitted 30 days in advance of the event and include information regarding proposed parking options for participants, traffic impact, safety requirements, compliance with emergency services, and coordination with state police. Event sponsors who hold their gatherings without an approved permit are subject to monetary fines and may be suspended for two years from applying for future permits.
According to Lincoln University, this ordinance violates First Amendment rights to free speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion as it “unjustly restricts the entire Lincoln community’s ability to host and participate in gatherings essential to the academic mission of the university.”
“Lower Oxford Township’s ordinance is a targeted, unconstitutional overreach that threatens the hallowed traditions ingrained in the university’s foundation,” said President Brenda A. Allen. “Lincoln University will remain on the front lines of protecting, defending, and advancing our community as we take this matter seriously.”
In October 2025, Jujuan Jeffers, a 20-year-old man unaffiliated with Lincoln University, was shot and killed during a homecoming celebration on the HBCU’s campus. Earlier this year, Jeffers’ family filed a lawsuit against the university for prioritizing the “college experience” over safety. The suit claimed that Lower Oxford Township had warned Lincoln about potential public safety concerns prior to the event, but Lincoln administrators failed to address those concerns.
