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Originally Posted by Rambler1869
MysticCat - as I am unaware of all the details of the case; does it state whether the members of Sigma Chi at GMU able to use any school facilities and/or post any flyers on school boards? Or just say it was allowed to still meet?
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Here's what the court said:
The University is a public institution located in Fairfax County, Virginia, where, until May 8, 2006, the Chapter was an officially recognized student group. n2 Between February 2005 and August 2006, the Chapter and its members were involved in a string of on- and off-campus incidents that culminated in the revocation of the Chapter's official University recognition and the individual discipline of several Chapter members.n2 According to the district court, "[o]fficial recognition allows a student group to publish their affiliation with the University, apply for certain university funds, and seek assistance from the University in planning events." Iota Xi Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity v. Patterson, 538 F. Supp. 2d 915, 919 n.2 (E.D. Va. 2008).
. . . . As a result of the Panel's decision, the University imposed the following sanctions. First, it revoked the Chapter's University recognition until at least September 1, 2016. n4 Second, the Dean of Students and the Director of Student Activities were instructed "to monitor membership in George Mason University recognized fraternal organizations to insure that the current membership of Sigma Chi fraternity does not reemerge under a different name." J.A. 151.n4. The revocation of University recognition precludes the Chapter from applying for University funding and publicizing itself as an officially recognized organization. Furthermore, the Chapter may not participate in "organizational affairs which would imply university recognition." J.A. 872-C. Loss of recognition also precludes the Chapter from booking space on campus or using campus facilities.
Iota Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity v. Patterson, 566 F.3d 138, 141, 143 (4th Cir. 2009). So it appears they were not allowed to use school facilities in any way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rambler1869
Either way, I think that it is important to note... that those men who originally recognized, they were given the chance to be on campus (later taken away for various reasons) - then they fought to come back opn campus. (This is how I understand it)
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I think that's irrelevant to the question of whether lack of school recognition constitutes an unconstitutional deprivation of expressive association for a chapter of a fraternity when that chapter can still recruit from the student body and schedule business and social activities.