DiscipleMakers v. The Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University agreed on June 24, 2004 to grant DiscipleMakers Christian Fellowship status as a University approved student organization, to remove the "uniqueness" requirement it previously placed on religious student organizations, and to abolish the separate review process it previously had in place for religious student organizations. In the 2003 and 2004 academic years, the University refused to grant DiscipleMakers status as a registered student organization because it claimed the group did not satisfy the University's "uniqueness" requirement. The University's "uniqueness" rule required all student organizations seeking registered status to have a purpose and function that was different from all currently registered student organizations. Although DiscipleMakers, a Pennsylvania Evangelical Christian organization, is a distinct Christian organization that focuses on discipleship through one-to-one relationships, the University's Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs ruled otherwise. Apart from the issue of "uniqueness" was the University's discriminatory treatment of religious student organizations. Most student groups submitted their registration applications directly to the Undergraduate Student Government Supreme Court for approval. Religious organizations, however, were first required to receive approval from the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs. Center attorneys sent a demand letter to the University on May 20, 2004 challenging the constitutionality of the University's procedure for registering student organizations and specifically their failure to grant DiscipleMakers status as a registered student organization. The University responded by asking the Center for an indefinite extension to address DiscipleMakers' concerns. Center attorneys responded by filing a federal lawsuit against the University on June 21, 2004. The University subsequently agreed to change its unconstitutional policies. Documents & Links: Demand Letter (PDF - 1.4MB) Press Release June 22, 2004 Complaint (PDF - 1.2MB) Press Release June 25, 2004