In 2005, two Christian groups sued San Diego State officials for violating their First Amendment right after the groups were declined official recognition by the university. Recently, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the university, upholding SDSU’s nondiscrimination policy for student groups.
Christian sorority Alpha Delta Chi and Christian fraternity Alpha Gamma Omega breached the SDSU policy by forbidding entry to any student of other religious beliefs. As stated in the Los Angeles Times, “[the nondiscrimination] policy forbids student organizations from limiting their membership because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.”
By not allowing official recognition from the university, the two Christian groups do not have access to university facilities and support, including the use of the SDSU school logo.
In the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals this past Tuesday, it was ruled that the university’s policy did not violate the students’ First Amendment right. Court and ruling aside, should universities be allowed to deny official recognition to student groups formed on the base of religion or the like?
In SDSU’s case, the students weren’t kept from practicing their religion; they just weren’t allowed recognition as an official SDSU student group. It’s understandable to be a little bummed that neither Christian groups can use school facilities or logo, but to sue your own school over it? Please, take a breather. You’re still allowed to worship whoever you want, whenever you want.
Here’s my issue with student groups based on race or religion. It’s good to network with people who have something in common with you, no doubt, but once the University approves the Christian sorority, then the Christian fraternity will want to be approved. After that, the Catholic student group will want to be approved, then the Muslim student group, the Jewish student group, and so on.
Fraternities and sororities are already big on rivalry as it is. The foundation and motivation that fuels the Greek system is the goal to be “top house.” Once you put religion and race in the middle of it, things will get much more complicated and much more messy.
I’m sure that if it were safer, SDSU would allow all religions and races to have a designated student group. But, for the students’ sake, that’s just not possible.
Moreover, what happens when a Jewish student wants to join Alpha Delta Chi for whatever reason? The president of ADC would have to turn that student away, explaining to her that she can’t join because she’s Jewish and the sorority is for Christian women only. That’s a sticky a situation.
While it may be possible for student groups based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation to exist without any underlying tension, SDSU’s hesitancy toward the idea is understandable.
Now, I may not be the most religious person, but I wouldn’t have gone so far as to sue my own university. The whole lawsuit is just proving even more that religion is a sensitive subject.
Sonia Guillen is a senior journalism major and opinions editor for the Summer 49er.
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