Vanderbilt University's all-comers policy discouraging

Excerpt from "Vanderbilt University's All-Comers Policy 'Discouraging,' But Unites Christian Students," Christian Post, by Katherine Weber. May 17, 2012--While some consider Vanderbilt University's new all-comers policy to be an assault on religious freedom, one lawyer for the American Center for Law and Justice argues that the university's Christian students have become more unified as a result of increased campus hostility. In early 2012, the private university, located in Nashville, Tenn., implemented an all-comers policy for its student-run organizations. The policy prohibits campus groups from selecting members and leaders based on race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

Vanderbilt University's new policy excludes members of Greek life, still allowing them to be selective in their membership and leadership processes. "Vanderbilt became increasingly aggressive [and] hostile towards Christian groups on campus, and really made it very clear that they were going out of their way, despite public denial to the contrary, they were going out of their way to single out Christian expression and to target Christian clubs for expulsion from campus effectively," David French, senior council of the ACLJ said. Christian students on campus rallied against this new policy, arguing that it holds a double standard for the university's Greek life and also infringes upon students' religious freedom.

Christians argued that the new policy violated the central tenets of their faith, as being able to elect faith-filled leaders is integral to the survival of a religious group. Eleven Christian groups protesting the policy formed the group Vanderbilt Solidarity. To promote their cause, they created a seven-minute video that was shared with faculty and students, as well as issued statements and attended town hall meetings. Several campus organizations that chose to keep religious requirements in their individual charters were not given university recognition, and therefore will not enjoy the perks of using the university name, campus locations or university sponsorship in the upcoming school year. Full story can be found here.

National Director for CMDA's Campus & Community Ministries, J. Scott Ries, MD: "Supreme Court Justice Alito had it right. Following the high court’s surprising and controversial 5:4 ruling in CLS v. Martinez (aka 'Hastings case'), he predicted the ruling would arm 'educational institutions with a handy weapon for suppressing the speech of unpopular groups.' In less than two years, Vanderbilt University fulfilled this prediction, issuing an edict that student groups on campus may not restrict their leadership to those who actually share the beliefs upon which that group was founded.

"Other schools are observing these outcomes closely. Two CMDA campus chapters in just the last few months have been challenged in regard to their ability to meet on campus as officially recognized student groups. More challenges are likely to come. Some states, like Ohio, recognize the untenability of such a position with the constitutionally protected freedom of religion enjoyed in our country for more than two centuries. To ensure these protections, the state of Ohio revised its laws to state:

'No state institution of higher education shall take any action or enforce any policy that would deny a religious student group any benefit available to any other student group based on the religious student group's requirement that its leaders or members adhere to its sincerely held religious beliefs or standards of conduct.' (Ohio Revised Code Section 3345.023)

"To be sure, participation in any of our CMDA chapters or activities is open to anyone. We welcome not only those who share our faith, but also those who question it. Membership, however, in CMDA is defined by the bylaws of our organization as governed by our Board of Trustees. Provision for a separate membership at a local level is not provided within our organization. Anyone may participate, but if one desires to join CMDA as an official member, that person is required by our formative documents to sign a Statement of Faith. Leadership then must be held to a higher standard, consistent with biblical standards of leadership, including being a member of CMDA and agreeing to abide by the CMDA Code of Conduct.

"CMDA will continue to be a voice for our chapters’ religious freedoms on campuses across our country. However, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they approached the government of their day confident of God’s deliverance, we also say, '…but even if He does not…,' we will continue to serve Him. With God’s continued blessing and favor, the transforming ministry of CMDA in the lives of the next generation of healthcare providers in our country will continue…regardless of the location of its gatherings. The courageous persistence shown by a number of evangelical campus ministries (formerly) located on the campus of Vanderbilt are already showing this to be the case, and they are to be commended for their integrity."