Vanderbilt University Curtails Religious Liberty
Vanderbilt University has deferred recognition of several religious student organizations because they want their student leaders to agree with the groups’ core religious beliefs. Religious groups expect their leaders to lead Bible studies, prayer, and worship at their meetings. Vanderbilt claims such an expectation violates university policies. But isn’t Vanderbilt the one violating university policies when it harasses religious students for their religious beliefs?
FAQ Regarding Vanderbilt’s Treatment of Religious Students (as of May 3, 2012)
Essential Information About What is Happening at Vanderbilt
An Open Letter to Vanderbilt Administrators and the Board of Trust, InterVarsity at Vanderbilt, May 22, 2012
Rejected Religious Student Groups Invite Vanderbilt into Constructive Conversation, May 21, 2012
Vanderbilt BCM to decline registered status, May 7, 2012
Vanderbilt to Christian student organization: Drop commitment to Jesus Christ for leaders,
April 20, 2012
The Battle of Vanderbilt: The Tennessee Legislature Steps Up, April 19, 2012
Students appeal to Vanderbilt Trustees, April 18, 2012
Nashville community gathers on Vanderbilt’s campus to pray for Vanderbilt Board of Trust, April 17, 2012
A 'David and Goliath' kind of fight, by Justin Gunter, April 17,2012
Vanderbilt students go viral with religious freedom message, April 17, 2012 - Watch the video here!
11 Christian groups submit constitutions with faith requirements, April 9, 2012
Letter to Vanderbilt Board, February 8, 2012
Vanderbilt University Religious Freedom Video - a summary of events that have occurred, February 7, 2012.
CLS Senior Counsel Kim Colby explains what's at stake in this article, "Vanderbilt and the End of Pluralism"
Vanderbilt CLS Chapter President Justin Gunter's article in the Tennessean, "Legal or Not, Vanderbilt policy is wrong." February 3, 2012
CLS's Packet of National Groups' Letters to Vanderbilt, December 5, 2011 full packet here (see below for some of the pertinent items included in the packet)
Watch the Vanderbilt Townhall Meeting, January 31, 2012
The latest from Vandy students: a short video about the Townhall meeting that took place January 31, 2012
Watch a short video summary of the Vanderbilt Townhall Meeting, February 7, 2012
Prof. Carol Swain's article, "Vanderbilt University: A Call for Wisdom, Humility, and Compassion"
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) Challenges Vanderbilt in its Open Letter to Chancellor, January 27, 2012
Vanderbilt Denies Student Spokesperson at "Town Hall Meeting" January 27, 2012
Vanderbilt Chancellor's rationale, January 20. 2011, here
Vanderbilt Students' "Restore Religious Freedom" Video
Vandy Student's Excellent Call for Action, January 29, 2012
Additional Helpful Information
"Shut up and play nice: How the Western world is limiting free speech," Washington Post, October 12, 2012
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Vanderbilt's Graduation," May 18, 2012
The Religious Battle of Vanderbilt, May 10, 2012
The cost of "diversity," April 12, 2012
Catholic student group to leave Vanderbilt campus over 'all-comers' policy, March 29, 2012
"Vanderbilt University's Assault on Religious Liberty," David French, February 2, 2012
The American Spectator article on the Vanderbilt's policy, January 27, 2012
"Conformity for diversity's sake," George Will, November 3, 2011, here
Vanderbilt student newspaper article, September 19, 2011, here
FIRE’s Letter to Vanderbilt’s Chancellor, September 21, 2011, here
Channel 2 News Report, September 20, 2011, here
Fox News Story, September 26, 2011, here
"The possibility of pluralism - faith and diversity at Vanderbilt," October, 2, 2011, here