Apr 11, 2012
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The chaplain of Vanderbilt Catholic, one of the largest student religious groups at Vanderbilt University, said their organization has been ordered by university officials to change their name. The order came after the Catholic group announced it was leaving campus rather than comply with the university’s new nondiscrimination policy.
A spokesperson for Vanderbilt University confirmed that the Catholic group was told they could no longer use the Vanderbilt name.
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“Those student groups who choose not to comply with the university’s nondiscrimination policy do forfeit the privileges associated with registered student organization status and that includes the use of the Vanderbilt name,” spokesperson Beth Fortune told Fox News.
The university has an “all comers” policy. That means all groups – including religious groups – must be open to all students and that every student should be allowed to run for office.
Vanderbilt reviewed the constitutions of every registered student organization to make sure they were in compliance with the policy after a dispute between the university and a Christian fraternity that expelled a homosexual member.
That campus-wide review included Vanderbilt Catholic — with about 500 members, it’s one of the largest of the university’s 400 registered student groups — whose membership is open to all students, but requires that its leadership be Catholic. The group refused to change its policy and instead decided to leave campus.
As a result, Vanderbilt Catholic will have to find a new name said Father John Sims Baker, the group’s chaplain.
“We’ll have to change our name,” Baker told Fox News. “That’s one thing the university has made clear.”
Baker hedged when asked if Vanderbilt’s edict on the name change was mean-spirited.
“I guess they own their name,” he said. “I’m not too upset about it – but whatever.”
Fortune said the policy is fair and was made clear to the student organizations.
“Registered student organizations that don’t comply with our nondiscrimination policy will forfeit certain privileges and that includes the use of the Vanderbilt name, university funding and other privileges associated with registered student organization status.”
Fortune said any group that fails to adhere to the policy will also have to change their name. Justin Gunter, the president of Vanderbilt’s Christian Legal Society, said it’s sad.
“Vanderbilt is intentionally trying to disassociate itself from religious groups,” he told Fox News. “In keeping goal it’s a necessary step for Vanderbilt to take.”
Gunter is a spokesman for a group of 11 Christian organizations that have submitted applications for official status without making changes to their faith requirements – an act of defiance to the university.
“If our applications are rejected, we will not be able to claim we are the Vanderbilt chapter of the Christian Legal Society,” he said.
Father Baker called the university’s policy a “kick in the gut” and agreed that Vanderbilt considers Christians as second class citizens.
“The discriminatory non-discrimination policy at Vanderbilt University has forced our hand,” Baker said in a statement. “Our purpose has always been to share the Gospel and proudly proclaim our Catholic faith. What other reason could there be for a Catholic organization at Vanderbilt? How can we say it is not important that a Catholic lead a Catholic organization?”
Nevertheless, the chaplain said they will have to rethink the way they minister to students. Several hundred attend Mass and many others are involved in a variety of religious activities.
As for the name change – Baker said they are floating some ideas but nothing has been decided.
“We’re still going to be reaching out to students on campus,” he said. “We have to get about our work and maybe work harder at it.”
FOX News Talk
Everyday on Fox News another Liberal says something to the effect of "show me where our freedoms are being attacked" and day after day I can point to my twitter account and say, see? There's your list.
I suggest any of you who have the time for a twitter account, start one and then twitter the things YOU see that our nation is lacking in, not doing and still lagging behind in as well as our triumph later this year when we take our nation BACK.
How is your freedom being attacked? You don't have a right to getting funding and official recognition from a university. I don't know where you see that in the Constitution.
Should Liberty University be forced to reinstate the Democrat club it disbanded? Should they be forced to allow a satanist club?
Sharia Compliance is here.
Marxism calls for erasing Christianity, making it a hate crime.
I went to Vanderbuilt ER for a broken arm and I guess they were worried about religious groups more then me , because the care I received was lacking , to say least. They missed my broken arm all together, I think they thought I was facking it , and only wanted pain meds. Really it was bad. The only thing they did was run up a bunch of bills, and left me to fend for myself. I just Quit going up there, All they want is your money. It was really bad care.
It seems that discrimination is only tolerated when it is directed to Christians. This school or any other in this country exists because Christians founded it and founded our country's educational system. I guess that's been forgotten. As Jesus said, "Blessed are you who are persecuted and reviled for my name's sake, for great is your reward in heaven". Keep the faith and don't ever cave in to the elite because time is short on earth and heaven is forever.
It is to bad the University does not find value in the concept of originality.
I used to like Vanderbilt!
Possibly the stupidest and discriminatory concept ever created by the liberals. WE all must accept everyone, even those we detest. We must all allow in even those who dissent against us and would use us for their own purpose or to destroy that which we have built. Vanderbilt pushes discrimination in the name of nondiscrimination.
The college should enforce the same rules across the board for all groups. Muslims should not be exempt!
Where does it say that Muslim groups are exempt?
There's a time to turn the cheek, and there's a time to turn their cheek. Sue the bastards. Enough is enough. Signed, a Christian attorney.
how about Vanderbuilt?
There's an easy way to bring this to a head:
A large group of White and Asian students should join the Black Student Alliance and the Black Law Student Association – enough to form a majority and elect themselves as officers. Even private institutions cannot discriminate between organizations based on race. If the University balks, sue it.
A large group of Christian students should join the Muslim student association. It's true that the Constitution does not forbid private institutions from discriminating based on religious preference. But if Vanderbilt allows the Muslims to keep their organization exclusive while forcing Christian organizations to accent non-Christian members, forcing the university's hand would give it a well-deserved black eye in the court of public opinion.
The Catholic Volunteers has a nice ring to it.
This is about the most ridiculous rule I have ever seen. Why can't a religious organization be allowed to be run by its own members. What is Vanderbilt thinking? Pretty discriminatory move on the part of Vanderbilt. Bet they don't get away with it.
Take a stand for conscience, people. Vanderbilt now joins the rest of the hypocrites and speeple who pretend to be nondiscriminatory and tolerant. Sickens me.
The instant phenomenon at Vanderbilt arises exceedingly discriminatory in the action itself and demeans higher academia even more. I am glad none of my children or grandchildren plan to attend or attends Vanderbilt. I am not catholic: however, if went to the school I would withdraw from the so-call educational institution on principle, and if donated to the so-caller educational institution I would cease my donation and ask all my friend if donated to the sorted so-called educational institution, to cease donations, as well.
The instant phenomenon at Vanderbilt arises exceedingly discriminatory in the action itself and demeans higher academia even more. I am glad none of my children or grandchildren plan to attend or attends Vanderbilt. I am not catholic: however, if went to the school I would withdraw from the so-call educational institution on principle, and if donated to the so-caller educational institution I would cease my donation and ask all my friend if donated to the sorted so-called educational institution, to cease donations, as well.
Most large universities have alumni associations and other benefactors that donate large sums of money to the school. Maybe its time to appeal to them to hit Vanderbilt in the pocket book.
"Our purpose has always been to share the Gospel and proudly proclaim our Catholic faith." PROUDLY? Somehow that doesn't sound very Christian. I thought the teachings of Christ were based on humility and trust in God. What ever happened to Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's etc?
I have always gotten a kick out of the fact that Al Gore attended Vanderbilt Divinity School. Now I know why. Vanderbilt Divinity Schoo is the same as Obama being a Constitutional Law professor. Both are on a quest to destroy the subject for which they teach.
I saw a headline this morning that 12 Christians are on trial in Iran for converting to Christianity. They are facing jail time or worse. This is not surprising. The Lord Himself was persecuted and ultimately crucified by the religious establishment working hand in hand with the Roman government. The apostles and early disciples suffered a similar fate. What is surprising is how little persecution we have faced in this country. Could it be that we are not following the Lord as closely as those in other times and places who have suffered for Him? My hat is off to all Christian groups at universities that are experiencing a hostile environment for their Christian testimony. Let's also remember those whose lives and liberty are being threatened throughout the world.
More attacks against Christianity from an ever increasing secular and atheistic society devoid of all morality.
There are thousands of 'Vanderbilts' out there. And I doubt the college has any right to exclusivity with the name. Call your group whatever you want to guys!
I love the toleration of the Secular Humanists! So respectful of the rights of others. Yeah right!
I love the toleration of the Secular Humanists! So respectful of the rights of others. Yeah right!
Awwww… poor little fundies aren't getting the special treatment they've come to demand in the world. How sad.
Well, in accordance with their policy, will Vanderbilt forced the women's basketball team to allow males to play on the team and be the team captain? if Vanderbilt is truly being intellectual honest with their policy they must allow sceanrios such as this one to play out.I wonder if there is a Muslim group on campus? Will they be forced to allow a Jewish woman to be a mullah?
Sandra L Howard The Muslim Student organization is exempt. So why aren't the Christian organizations?
Can you cite your source that the Muslim organization is exempt? I can't find anything on that.
Vanderbilt is a last name. I'm not sure the university can claim to legally hold exclusive use of a last name. Further, this school, which has a reputation for being somewhat high-brow, is demonstrating that they are closed-minded and not nearly as enlightened as they would appear.
The Vanderbilt PC challenge to a Catholic Identify with Vanderbilt will likely increase Catholic Identity on campus. Persecution is the seed of renewal. A threat to identity is persecution. The learned administrators and approving faculty at the once great Methodist university will discover Catholic alumni/ae will not welcome representatives of the university at fund-raising time.
Want to know why I am no longer a Catholic, right here in one of the most blaring reasons. The church will not stand up for Christians who are being persecuted by the Muslim nations around the world, they tied them self at the hip with the progressive/socialist movement, they refuse to address the homosexual/child molesters masquerading as priest, they continue to cling to an 11th century dictate that bars priest from marriage which would alleviate the molestation/homosexual problem. And this ridiculous compliance at a CATHOLIC SCHOOL. Becoming an Evangelical was one of the best things in life I ever did.
This from an institution that lamented not having enough Muslims on campus on their website's home page just weeks after 9/11.
Vanderbilt University is clearly showing its liberal pettiness. Add it to the list of schools I would never give my kids money to attend.
Church and state seperation? Should also mean schooling and political influence seperate! there has to be a way to get an education without being brainwashed to believe as a democrat. When did we allow our schooling systems to become political centers? Look around and listen. Is this really how we want our younger generation taught? Do we really want a political organization raising our children to their standards or our own beliefs?
Typical socialist college. They hate Christians. I doubt they would try this with a Muslim group.
Wrong, Muslim groups have to follow the rules if they want recognition and funding as well. Feel free to invent your own reality, though.
Have all the Catholic Groups ever considered JUST LEAVING VANDERBILT? The University would lose more money than it can afford. When do Christians stand up? Fight back? Stop trying to find away to comply. If Vanderbilt has become a Socialist institution, walk away. You might be surprised at the number of student groups and wealthy alumni that would follow. Sometimes it is necessary to hit bigots where it hurts most-FINANCIALLY! Enough is Enough! Keep the faith and the conversation going.
This is reprehensible.
This is 2012. How can ANY University supported group be exclusive of anyone? Especially in this case. First the Boy Scouts evict the homosexuals, now you think it's okay for Catholics to purge their ranks? This would relegate homosexuals back to glory holes, public parks and train station bathrooms in their search for illicit sex. They'll be bringing STDs back to their decoy "mates" in numbers not seen since the early HIV "plague years." It'll decimate their numbers again.
Go Catholics!
The biggest joke is the most discriminatory institutions on campus are fraternities and sororities. They can bar you for not being the right look or background or ancestry. Hey your not pretty enough your out! How is that for discrimination. Lets close them down and watch the lawsuits came a rolling in!
What crap!
Typical nameless, faceless "university officials" just as in any other bureaucracy orders them to change their name. How stupid and cowardly is that! How about taking responsibility and the attendant criticism for such a rediculous move? "PC" run amok. I'm embarassed to be associated with that aspect of the University.
Put my name in your "embarrassed" corner
Tink, I expect that will be a crowded corner soon.
Re this article: Typical "Vanderbilt spokesperson" Beth Fortune uses incorrect grammar. "Fortune said any group that fails to adhere to the policy will also have to change their name." The correct grammar is , "its name" not, "their name", and Vandervilt claims to be an elite university. Don't embarass the University community further by using incorrect grammar. At least get some English professor to review press statements BEFORE they are released.
That wasn't in quotes in the story, so perhaps you can blame Todd Starnes for the bad grammar. And while you're being pedantic, it's called "Vanderbilt," not "Vandervilt."
Just ask me and I will be glad to spell-check you comments LOL
Thanks, Bill, for paying attention to grammatical errors. Not enough people do, and they take attention from the content of the article. I certainly lose my train of thought when something is written incorrectly.
Sara Lynn DeFuniak Guess I'm a little compulsive about that but it really gaulled me that a Vanderbilt spokesperson would make that mistake.
Good for Vanderbilt for taking a stand against discrimination. Students should not fund groups that discriminate against them. This has nothing to do with persecuting Christianity and everything to do with being inclusive.
?
I am Catholic, and use to work for the hospital. With that said it's all about money Vanderbilt gets so much government funding for research. Let's Put two and two together. Just a idea!
I am Catholic, and use to work for the hospital. With that said it's all about money Vanderbilt gets so much government funding for research. Let's Put two and two together. Just a idea!
First, let's clear something up: as a private school, Vanderbilt can do pretty much what it likes vis-a-vis officially-recognized student groups. It can decide to have none at all, should that be desired.
But rather than do something so drastic… although at least honest and straightforward… Vanderbilt has done something worse; something lower, more dishonest and Orwellian-creepy.
Telling student groups organized around common beliefs and ideas that their members need not actually HAVE those beliefs and ideas is nothing less than de facto prohibition of voluntary ideological association.
For example: Under such a policy, I could have a few dozen of my fellow atheists join the Vanderbilt Campus Muslim Society and once they outnumber the actual Muslims, vote me into group leadership.
At which point you'd have the VCMS Student President (me) declaring the Koran a collection of myths and that Allah does not exist.
Oh, but we're still the Vanderbilt Campus Muslim Society. Says so right there in the Student Life guidebook. Must be true!
I could easily provide a secular example of the above problem – but the fact that I, an atheist, would rise in defense of a religious group should make the point all the more clear.
Vanderbilt's 'all comers' policy elides the whole point of freedom of speech and association: the meeting of like minds. I don't think this is an accident. No, not for a moment.
First, let's clear something up: as a private school, Vanderbilt can do pretty much what it likes vis-a-vis officially-recognized student groups. It can decide to have none at all, should that be desired.
But rather than do something so drastic… although at least honest and straightforward… Vanderbilt has done something worse; something lower, more dishonest and Orwellian-creepy.
Telling student groups organized around common beliefs and ideas that their members need not actually HAVE those beliefs and ideas is nothing less than de facto prohibition of voluntary ideological association.
For example: Under such a policy, I could have a few dozen of my fellow atheists join the Vanderbilt Campus Muslim Society and once they outnumber the actual Muslims, vote me into group leadership.
At which point you'd have the VCMS Student President (me) declaring the Koran a collection of myths and that Allah does not exist.
Oh, but we're still the Vanderbilt Campus Muslim Society. Says so right there in the Student Life guidebook. Must be true!
I could easily provide a secular example of the above problem – but the fact that I, an atheist, would rise in defense of a religious group should make the problem all the more clear.
Vanderbilt's 'all comers' policy undermines the whole point of freedom of speech and association: the meeting of like minds. I don't think this is an accident. No, not for a moment.
Another school my son won't be attending.
How about: "1st Amendment Catholics"?
In the time of Noah there were only 8 who walked with God. In 2012 there are perhaps fewer!
Modern day Bolsheviks at Vanderbilt.