In the most recent controversy surrounding the recognition and funding of religious student organizations within the UW System, the UW-Superior chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship filed suit against the Board of Regents Monday.
Last October, the UW System made the decision to deny IVCF-Superior student organization recognition this year because, contrary to anti-discrimination policy, it was electing leadership based on religious criteria.
As we understand it, the university's action was taken simply because InterVarsity requires its student leaders, not its members but just the leaders, to sign its statement of faith,"" IVCF President Alec Hill said at a Tuesday press conference.
The group is now demanding re-instatement, claiming the system policy is in violation of constitutional rights such as freedom of speech, religion and association.
""Frankly, the university's decision defies common sense,"" Hill said. ""Does this mean, for example, that Hillel""that is the Jewish student group""must accept Holocaust-deniers as leaders? Does this mean that the young Republicans must accept Democrats as their leaders?""
Regent President David Walsh had not yet received the complaint Wednesday night and refused to comment on the specifics of the suit. He said the issue is complex, however, as past Supreme Court decisions have set an ambiguous precedent for the issue.
""There's all sorts of constitutional issues when you start talking about rights of association and freedom of religion and expression, and we just need to work our way through this,"" Walsh said.
UW System Communications Director Doug Bradley did not say whether the suit by IVCF-Superior would affect similar situations at UW-Madison, but said the Regents are striving to eventually implement the same policy throughout the UW System.
""Hopefully, we're going to be able to hit that proper medium that's going to be able to be non-discriminatory to as many people as possible and balance everybody's rights,"" Bradley said.
At UW-Madison, groups such as the Knights of Columbus and UW Roman Catholic Foundation have been denied recognition within the past year and have yet to come to agreements the university. United Response, a Christian alliance composed of Campus Crusade for Christ, the Navigators and the UW-Madison chapter of IVCF, also formed this fall in opposition to university policy.
""This is a great thing for universities to be talking about and trying to manage as best as they can,"" Bradley said. ""But it's tough when it's about litigation rather than conversation and dialogue.""
