University Must Recognize Christian Group Pending Outcome of Lawsuit, Appeals Court Rules

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale must continue to recognize a campus Christian group that excludes homosexual students as members while the group’s lawsuit against the university is pending, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled last week.

A divided three-judge panel of the court issued an injunction that prevents the university from withdrawing its official recognition of the Christian Legal Society.

Judge Diane S. Sykes wrote for the majority that the society had shown there was a likelihood that the university had “impermissibly infringed” on the group’s “right of expressive association.”

The society insists that members abide by its Christian beliefs on sexuality, which forbid premarital sex and homosexuality. While students with different views may attend meetings, they may not become members or officers.

http://chronicle.com Section: Students Volume 52, Issue 46, Page A30