A federal appeals court is weighing a southern Kentucky evangelical preacher's request to overturn the University of Tennessee's requirement that speakers on campus have sponsorship and get the approval of school administrators.

The three-judge panel from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati on Tuesday did not indicate when they would rule on a request from John McGlone of Breeding, Ky., to toss out the restrictions imposed by the university. McGlone's lawyers argued the university's requirements are an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.

University officials argued the policies don't violate any of McGlone's rights.

A federal judge in Knoxville, Tenn., dismissed McGlone's challenge in February. U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips concluded that the university's campus access and sponsorship policies are in line with the Constitution.