ADF’s University Project Aims to Stop

Discrimination on College Campuses

America’s universities began as a free marketplace of ideas.  The marketplace has shrunk, in essence, to a nationwide chain of conformity: no dissenting views are allowed.  The results have been devastating.

Many universities and student governments now censor freedom, rather than celebrate it.  Unconstitutional policies are enacted to restrict the freedoms of Christian, conservative, and other traditionalist student groups that speak against the prevailing politically correct norm.

Fortunately, national student organizations are standing together with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) in combating this trend to silence the freedom of speech in what is known as “The University Project.” The leaders of Campus Crusade, the Christian Legal Society, Chi Alpha, Campus Ambassadors, Every Nation Campus Ministries, InterVarsity, The Navigators and Alliance Defense Fund have committed to working together on campuses across the nation to ensure that no Christian group is singled out.

To combat this growing oppression and to protect the First Amendment liberties of students throughout the country, ADF has targeted five of the most serious unconstitutional policies enforced on many public university campuses today. Students and parents need to read over their present or future university/college policies to see if any of the following practices are in place.

1. Nondiscrimination Statements
Does your school have a “nondiscrimination” policy that applies to student groups?
Example: Your school has a policy which states that your organization cannot meet on campus or receive student fee funds unless you sign a statement holding that you will not “discriminate” on the basis of “religion” or “creed” or “marital status” or “sexual orientation” when selecting officers or members. This means you could be violating the policy if your faith-based organization requires officers or members to adhere to faith principles (the university would view this as religious or creed discrimination). You may also be in violation if you dismiss officers for sexual immorality as defined by your faith beliefs (the university could view this as marital status or sexual orientation discrimination).

Fact: You have the right to meet with people who hold similar views, and you have the right to determine the purpose, faith position, and content of your group’s speech—free from interference.

2. Speech Zones

Does your school have a “free speech zone” that limits where you may present your views?

Example: Your school has policies limiting “controversial” speakers to small, out-of-the-way campus areas. Some campuses have enforced these policies only against conservative or Christian speakers, and ignore them for groups with “acceptable” views.

Fact: You have the right to speak in the same time, place, and manner as any other group on campus and be free of substantial restrictions on the place of your speech and expression.

3. Speech Codes
Have you been restricted by the school in communicating your views?

Example: Your school has policies prohibiting speech that is “offensive” or “intimidating” or “disparaging” on the basis of religion or sexual orientation. Your campus punishes students who disclose “discriminatory” views in class or in assignments, etc.

Fact: You have the right to express your faith and other views on campus, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner guidelines. You have the right to express your views in writing, orally, or in other symbolic or demonstrative form. The rules for Orthodox Jews and Christians, for example, cannot be different in terms or application than for New Age or animal activists.

4. Mandatory Diversity Training

Does your school force students to attend “diversity training” intended to change students’ attitudes or sincerely held beliefs or require students to demonstrate their tolerance, etc.?

Example: Your school has a policy which requires incoming freshmen or resident assistants to attend classes and affirm agreement, where the instructor criticizes or denounces the faith-based beliefs of the attendees—for example, Christian beliefs or beliefs opposing homosexual behavior.

Fact: You have the right to opt out of diversity training if the topic of discussion goes against a sincerely held belief, and especially if it requires affirmation or other action in conformity.

5. Student Fees

Is your organization treated differently because it is religious, politically conservative, or works to affirm life?

Example: Your school has policies that do not allow your group to obtain funding or limit the amount of funding or require that your group be treated as an unofficial club; or restrict the use of bulletin boards or announcement mechanisms; or impose other forms of second class treatment because your group follows Christian, Orthodox Jewish, politically conservative, or other “disapproved views.”

Fact: You have the right to be treated as all other student groups and cannot be singled out for negative treatment for student fees because your group is deemed to be “controversial” or politically incorrect.

What to do

If any of the aforementioned policies are in effect in the university you or your children presently attend or are considering attending, contact the ADF and let them know – particularly if any of these policies have been used or are presently being used to discriminate against you, your children or your school group.

In the St. Louis area you can contact the Kansas Regional Service Center of the ADF by writing to ADF, 15660 West 135th St., Olathe, KA 66062 or by calling them at 913-829-7755. Be sure to mention the University Project. The National Headquarters of the ADF can be contacted by writing to ADF, Attn. University Project, 15333 N. Pima Road, Suite 165, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 or by calling their toll free number at 1-800-TELL-ADF (1-800-835-5233).