ICC Note: In 2014, the evangelical group, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, lost official recognition at 23 campuses throughout California. The group was stripped of recognition in multiple locations within the California State University system because they required their leaders to be Christian, allegedly violating the school’s non-discrimination policies. According to reports, the group recently regained their rights after the university’s decision was reversed.
By Heather Clark
06/22/2015 United States (Christian News Network) – Christian student groups in the California State University system that were stripped of official recognition last year for requiring their leaders to be Christian have now regained their rights following a reversal of the decision.
As previously reported, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, which identifies as an “evangelical campus mission,” lost recognition last fall at 23 schools across the state over the decision, which is based on the system’s anti-discrimination policies.
“Loss of recognition means we lose three things: free access to rooms (this will cost our chapters $13k-30k/year to reserve a room). We also lose access to student activities programs, including the new student fairs where we meet most students. We also lose standing when we engage faculty, students and administrators,” spokesperson Greg Jao told reporters.
The de-recognition of InterVarsity came as a result of an executive order that was put into effect in 2011, which states, “No campus shall recognize any fraternity, sorority, living group, honor society or other student organization that discriminates on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation or disability.” It also outlines that the ban on discrimination extends to leadership positions.
“For an organization to be recognized, they must sign a general nondiscrimination policy,” Mike Uhlencamp, director of public affairs for the California State University system, additionally explained to the Washington Post. “We have engaged with [InterVarsity] for the better part of a year and informed them they would have to sign a general nondiscrimination statement. They have not.”
Because the group wouldn’t sign the statement, which would essentially allow non-Christians to lead InterVarsity chapters on campus, it was stripped of official recognition. However, in a press release issued on Friday, InterVarsity announced that the decision has now been reversed.
