University of Iowa Campus Ministry Upheld in Federal Court

gordon.govier@intervarsity.org — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 15:13:23 +0000

October 1, 2019

University of Iowa Campus Ministry Upheld in Federal Court

(Madison, WI)–An Iowa federal judge has ruled that the University of Iowa and its officers violated the law when they kicked ��Ƶ off campus for asking its leaders to be Christian. A dozen other religious groups—including Sikhs, Muslims, and Latter-day Saints—were also kicked off campus for requiring their leaders to share their faith. But all secular groups and a few religious groups favored by the University got a pass.

In a ruling on September 27, 2019, the court held that this discrimination was so egregious that the officers involved would be personally accountable for any money ��Ƶ lost fighting to stay on campus. The court left open the possibility that the University’s president, Bruce Harreld, could also be found liable.

��Ƶ has been at the University of Iowa for over 25 years. It welcomes all students as members, and only requires the students who lead its ministry affirm its faith. In the past, the University has honored ��Ƶ for its contributions to campus life. But in June 2018, the University claimed that, by requiring leaders to affirm their faith, ��Ƶ was violating the University’s nondiscrimination policy.

The University then limited ��Ƶ’s access to campus, froze its bank account, shut down its website, and advertised that it was “defunct” for lack of student interest. As a result, ��Ƶ suffered its sharpest membership decline in over twenty years. The federal court’s ruling confirmed that the University’s actions violated the Constitution and ordered the University to respect ��Ƶ’s right to select religious leaders going forward.

“We must have leaders who share our faith,” said Greg Jao, ��Ƶ’s Director of External Relations. “No group—religious or secular—could survive with leaders who reject its values. We’re grateful the court has stopped the University’s religious discrimination, and we look forward to continuing our ministry on campus for years to come.”

��Ƶ USA is on 772 campuses nationwide. Its University of Iowa chapter hosts weekly Bible studies and monthly meetings for prayer, worship, and religious discussions on current issues.

In upholding the group’s right to be on campus, the court noted that, just last January—in the related case of BLinC v. University of Iowa—it already warned the University against enforcing its policy unevenly. The court stated it “would never have expected the University to respond to that order by homing in on religious groups[]” like ��Ƶ, while “carving out explicit exemptions for other groups. But here we are.” The court did “not know how a reasonable person could have concluded this was acceptable,” since it “plainly” doubled down on the exact same conduct the court had already held unlawful. In a hearing last week, the court described the University’s conduct as “ludicrous” and “incredibly baffling.”

��Ƶ was represented in this case by the Becket law firm. For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at media@becketlaw.org or 202-349-7219.

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��Ƶ Again Defending Religious Freedom at Wayne State

gordon.govier@intervarsity.org — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 17:07:03 +0000

Press Room

June 6, 2018

��Ƶ Again Defending Religious Freedom at Wayne State

For Immediate Release: June 6, 2018

Media Contact: Melinda Skea | media@becketlaw.org | 202-349-7224

(Madison, WI) – For the second time in three months ��Ƶ Christian Fellowship is fighting for its right to continue serving at the same campus it has been on for over 75 years.

In ��Ƶ Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University, the Wayne State ��Ƶ chapter is asking the court to protect its right to continue being a part of the Wayne State campus community. Michigan-based Wayne State claims ��Ƶ is breaking the rules by asking its leaders to share its faith, even though it lets more than 90 other student groups choose their own leaders. Now the University is asking a federal court to give it the power to kick the group off campus any time.

“Wayne State allows 90 student groups to make their own rules for leaders—everyone from fraternities to the Quidditch Club,” said Lori Windham, Senior Counsel at Becket, which represents the student group. “But Wayne State can’t wave a magic wand and make the Constitution disappear. Christian student groups have the same rights as everyone else.”

��Ƶ welcomes all students to join as members and only requires that its leaders agree with its faith. But in late 2017, Wayne State kicked the group off campus, canceled the group’s reserved meetings, and forced it to pay thousands of dollars to continue holding Bible studies on campus—all because it disagreed with ��Ƶ’s leadership requirement. After ��Ƶ filed a lawsuit, represented by Becket, the University let the group back on campus. But the University is still trying to force ��Ƶ off campus.

The University’s actions ignore the rich history of ��Ƶ’s student group at Wayne State, which is one of the oldest chapters in the country. ��Ƶ has held weekly Bible studies and organized service opportunities on campus for over 75 years, including repairing buildings in downtown Detroit and serving at the local food pantry. The student group is asking the court to permanently protect its ability to be a part of, and continue serving, the Wayne State community.

“Wayne State’s actions threaten not just ��Ƶ but all the religious groups who depend on student leaders who share their faith,” said Windham.

Becket filed two briefs seeking a permanent fix to the school’s discriminatory policy, which also highlights a list of more than 90 groups who are allowed to choose leaders who agree with them, while ��Ƶ is not.

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Melinda Skea at media@becketlaw.org or 202-349-7224.

Additional Information:

Becket’s memo in response to Wayne State’s motion to dismiss (June 4, 2018)
Becket’s Filing 2reply in support of ��Ƶ’s motion for summary judgment (June 5, 2018)
Release: 48 hours later, Wayne State allows Christian student group back on campus temporarily
ABC News: Should campus religious groups be allowed to require leaders to follow their faith?
Detroit News Editorial: WSU errs in ousting Christian group
Becket’s Complaint in ��Ƶ Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University
Case Page for ��Ƶ Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University

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Becket is a non-profit, public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions and has a 100% win-rate before the United States Supreme Court. For over 20 years, it has successfully defended clients of all faiths, including Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians (read more here).

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University of Iowa Campus Ministry Upheld in Federal Court

University of Iowa Campus Ministry Upheld in Federal Court

������Ƶ Again Defending Religious Freedom at Wayne State

������Ƶ Again Defending Religious Freedom at Wayne State

��Ƶ Again Defending Religious Freedom at Wayne State

��Ƶ Again Defending Religious Freedom at Wayne State