Christian Fraternity sues UGA

Drolefille · #1 12-07-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Christian fraternity sues UGA

By BY ANDREA JONES
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/07/06

A Christian fraternity filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the University of Georgia and the Board of Regents Wednesday, claiming UGA refuses to recognize the organization because it requires all its members and officers to be Christians.

To register as a student group, a student organization has to fill out a form stating "membership and all privileges, including voting and officer positions, must be extended to all students, without regard to age, ethnicity, gender, disability, color, natural origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status," according to the suit. The form is part of a larger non-discrimination policy approved by the Board of Regents, the suit says.

The fraternity requires its officers and members to pledge their belief in Jesus Christ to participate.

The suit alleges that UGA has not consistently applied the nondiscrimination requirement to other student groups. It specifically cites the Baha'i Association, which the suit says requires its officers to be members of the Baha'i faith, and a Christian organization, Crossway Fellowship Christian Ministry.

Don't fraternities and sororities in general violate that non-discrimination policy? I'm not sure why BYX gets singled out here.

SoCalGirl · #2 12-07-2006, 05:37 PM

I think that fraternities and sororities get a pass due to Title IX. Since this group is discriminating (kind of sort of) based on religion it's not covered by the same protections.

MSKKG · #3 12-07-2006, 05:53 PM

If the other groups mentioned also require only adherents to their faith eligible for becoming officers, why is this group denied the same exception?

Drolefille · #4 12-07-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

I think that fraternities and sororities get a pass due to Title IX. Since this group is discriminating (kind of sort of) based on religion it's not covered by the same protections.

Well and social GLOs don't usually fall under the student org. category when they don't accept money from the school's activity fund. But this doesn't make sense to me...

shinerbock · #5 12-07-2006, 06:32 PM

Further indications that the UGA administration sucks.

PeppyGPhiB · #6 12-07-2006, 07:41 PM

Are all GLOs required to sign that document? Their single-sex status is protected, so it would seem including "sex" in the clause would make it void anyway.

If the Christian fraternity did not accept funds from the university, would they still have to sign the contract?

Drolefille · #7 12-07-2006, 10:49 PM

I wonder about the status of those other orgs as well. I'll see if I can find more information. Maybe someone from UGA can help (if there's anyone on here)

PhrozenGod01 · #8 12-07-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Well and social GLOs don't usually fall under the student org. category when they don't accept money from the school's activity fund. But this doesn't make sense to me...

Me neither. Unless BYX is trying to get student fees or use student funded facilities for free, they should be allowed to exist as a student org the same way that other fraternities and sororities exist(I've never been to UGA but I assume that most of the fraternities and sororities are recognized as student groups). If membership requires an oath, then refusal to take the oath should result in a denial of membership. I want more information about this!!! *bangs on table rather impatiently*