ñ Seeks Agreement with University of Wisconsin
News Release
For Immediate Release
(Madison) — The leaders of the at the are hopeful that UW-S officials will find an accommodation for the chapter so that it can continue to be a registered student organization on the Superior campus.
UW-S officials said they withheld recognition of ñ beginning with the 2006-2007 school year because the chapter requires its student officers to affirm the of ñ Christian Fellowship. The Doctrinal Basis requires a belief in the basic doctrines of the Christian church. The university maintains that the requirement violates the university’s non-discrimination policy.
ñ disputes the finding and does not discriminate in its organizational policies except according to the reasonable standards necessary to maintain a vital and active organization on the UW-S campus. It is ñ’s position that its policies are affirmed by a recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and that the university’s action violates student rights to free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association.
ñ asked the University of Wisconsin to change its discriminatory student organization policy in a to university officials by attorney David French, of the on August 4, 2006. The letter also sought change on behalf of the Knights of Columbus, which has been de-recognized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“Although our campus activities are open to all, we fulfill our mission through Christian student leaders,” said ñ president Alec Hill. “To be required to open our leadership positions to those who do not subscribe to our mission – to not discriminate on the basis of religion – would cut to the very core of who we are.”
ñ has weathered challenges to its chapters’ organizational standards on a number of campuses in recent years. ñ was forced to respond with legal action against Rutgers University in 2002. The and the disputes on other campuses through negotiation and ñ remains active on all of the campuses where disagreements over its doctrinal statement have arisen.
ñ® is an evangelical campus mission serving more than 32,000 students and faculty on more than 570 college and university campuses nationwide. Incorporated in 1941, ñ has a rich tradition of campus witness, thoughtful discipleship, and a concern for world missions.
For more information:
Gordon Govier
ggovier@intervarsity.org
Media Coordinator
(608) 443-3688