Wayne State

Court Allows ��ñ��’s Case Against Wayne State to go Forward

gordon.govier@intervarsity.org — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:18:43 +0000

Court Allows ��ñ��’s Case Against Wayne State to go Forward

(Madison) -- ��ñ��’s religious discrimination case against Wayne State University must be allowed to proceed, a Michigan federal judge has ruled. Becket law firm, which represents ��ñ��, has the announcement on their website.

��ñ�� filed legal action in order to protect the rights of our chapter to be treated the same as other groups on campus, a constitutionally protected religious freedom.

Classes resumed on August 28 and our chapter is meeting. ��ñ�� was temporarily allowed back on campus after the initiation of litigation and now seeks to make that status permanent. The university continues to argue that it has the flexibility to kick ��ñ�� back off campus at any time. Oral arguments were heard on July 10, 2019, and now, following the judge’s ruling, the next step is a status conference before the judge on October 15.

Wayne State is one of 772 campuses where we currently have chapters, 1,119 chapters in all. Students at Wayne State, like students everywhere these days, are fighting loneliness and alienation. We feel students and faculty on every campus should have a community of believers who share the hope-giving message of the Gospel. That’s why we have embarked on our 2030 Calling, to partner with other ministries, churches, alumni, and volunteers to reach every US campus.

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at media@becketlaw.org or 202-349-7219.

Detroit News: Judge lets Christian group pursue suit against WSU
Detroit Free Press: Christian group's lawsuit against Wayne State University can move forward

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

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

Press Room

��ñ�� 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 ��ñ�� Christian Fellowship is fighting for its right to continue serving at the same campus it has been on for over 75 years.

In ��ñ�� Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University, the Wayne State ��ñ�� 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 ��ñ�� 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.”

��ñ�� 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 ��ñ��’s leadership requirement. After ��ñ�� filed a lawsuit, represented by Becket, the University let the group back on campus. But the University is still trying to force ��ñ�� off campus.

The University’s actions ignore the rich history of ��ñ��’s student group at Wayne State, which is one of the oldest chapters in the country. ��ñ�� 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 ��ñ�� 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 ��ñ�� 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 ��ñ��’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 ��ñ�� Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University
Case Page for ��ñ�� 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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��ñ�� Defends Religious Freedom in Wayne State University Case

gordon.govier@intervarsity.org — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 14:55:23 +0000

Press Room

��ñ�� Defends Religious Freedom in Wayne State University Case

For Immediate Release

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

UPDATE: ��ñ��'s Wayne State University chapter has been allowed back on campus. More information in this Becket news release.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –��ñ�� is fighting for its right to continue serving at a campus it has been on for over 75 years. In ��ñ�� Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University, an ��ñ�� Christian Fellowship student group, represented by Becket, sued Michigan-based Wayne State University after school officials stripped them of official recognition just because the group requires its leaders to affirm their faith. Wayne State has over 400 student groups that contribute to its intellectual and cultural diversity, all of which are free to select leaders who embrace their missions—except, suddenly, one Christian student group.

��ñ�� welcomes all students to its meetings and to join as members. It requires only that its leaders believe in and live out its faith. Yet in 2017, Wayne State rejected the group’s constitution, derecognized ��ñ��, and cancelled all of ��ñ��’s reserved meetings. After 75 years, Wayne State decided that ��ñ��’s religious leadership requirements violated school policy. Meanwhile Wayne State actively violates its own policy in many of its programs, and allows dozens of other larger student groups do the same.

“��ñ�� just wants to continue to serve Wayne State students as we have for 75 years,” said Greg Jao, ��ñ�� Director of External Relations. “Students should be able to find a campus community which reflects their faith tradition with authenticity and integrity.”

��ñ�� Christian Fellowship at Wayne State is one of the oldest ��ñ�� chapters in the country, and has held weekly Bible studies, meetings, and organized service opportunities on campus for over 75 years. In 2009 the group sponsored a series of campus events that raised awareness regarding human trafficking. And the group regularly hosts discussions of important issues, like the intersection between faith, race, and social justice.

Now ��ñ�� is given second-class status, forced to rent tables like outside vendors if it wants to host discussions or reach out to new students. It can no longer reserve meeting rooms for free like other student groups.

Additional information, including the Complaint (February 28, 2018), Press Kit and Case page is available here: https://www.becketlaw.org/case/intervarsity

Photo: Del Arte via Wikipedia

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