Discrimination consternation: A state policy is creating major issues for some Cal Poly clubs

[pinto]

Cal Poly is moving to withdraw accredidation from at least two faith-based student clubs that remain in violation of Exec. Order 1068.

Discrimination consternation: A state policy is creating major issues for some Cal Poly clubs
By Rhys Heyden

All across California, church and state—familiar sparring partners—are once again at loggerheads. This time, though, their conflict is being fought on an unfamiliar battleground—collegiate clubs.

When former California State University (CSU) Chairman Charles B. Reed first issued Executive Order 1068 in December 2011, the policy was meant to eliminate discrimination and encourage an “all comers” policy for student organizations.

The meat of the executive order (while making an exception for gender discrimination within Greek life) states that, “No campus shall recognize any fraternity, sorority, living group, honor society, or other student organization that discriminates on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability.”

<snip>

The major lightning rods for enforcement of this policy have been religious student groups—specifically those clubs that explicitly require their members or leaders to ascribe to certain beliefs.

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/11491/discrimination-consternation-a-state-policy-is-creating-major-issues-for-some-cal-poly-clubs/

[Act_of_Reparation]

1. Welcome to public school

No one is stopping the bigots from associating with one another, and the student body suffers no compunction to fund their misadventures. Too bad some people think this is awfully unfair.

[pinto]

2. The clubs had plenty of advance notice. The main result of the university's action will be financial

and exclusion from official student club events. If the two groups want to use campus meeting rooms they will be charged a fee, i.e. the university will withdraw all sponsorship.

[Cartoonist]

3. So what's the problem?

Why should the state finance a church? That's what it is. It's not a club, it's a group of bigots. In fact, it's not even a church. I'm an atheist who would be welcomed in almost any church in the land. They'd love to have a chance at converting me.

[pinto]

6. The problem is in the eyes of the two groups who chose to oppose the standard.

They're citing a vague form of the "religious persecution" meme, imo. Totally overlooked the separation of church/state basis the order represents. There are other faith based clubs on the campus who have no problem with it, no requirement to sign an oath, who welcome all comers.

Cal Poly is relatively new to real diversity. Historically one of the most conservative state campuses in California. One of the last campuses where Ronald Reagan could present a speech sans vocal opposition.

Things change. The two groups missed the bus. I hope the church/state issue gets more play in campus circles.

[goldent]

4. I think the religious clubs (as well as other clubs with traditional restrictions) could live

with this.

Likely there won't be many non-religious people joining. It they do, they likely won't be elected to be officers. If they have come to disrupt they can be expelled - I think you are allowed to discriminate against asses.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Those that are really clubs seem OK; it's the "nationwide campus ministry" that has problems

and that's good - I don't think a "nationwide campus ministry" should be treated as a student club. The religious clubs without a problem:

On the other side, Brian Henson, a Cal Poly senior and president of Lutheran Campus Ministries, said his club of roughly 5 to 10 students “prides itself on being accepting” and “doesn’t require anyone to sign anything or affirm their faith in any way,” thus avoiding derecognition.

Cal Poly’s Hillel—a student-run Jewish heritage club—is also open to all members and leaders, according to mechanical engineering professor and faculty advisor Saeed Niku.

Faysal Kolkailah, an aerospace engineer professor and faculty advisor to the Cal Poly Muslim Students Association, said his organization doesn’t require members or leaders to affirm any faith either.

[cbayer]

5. As long as this is uniformly applied, I don't see a problem with it.

It's like the safe havens here on DU. One doesn't have to be a certain thing to join the club for that thing.

But there is recourse is someone joins for the purpose of disrupting, which I would imagine would be the case with these clubs as well.

[pinto]

7. The unerversity made a good move in applying it across the board.

And the groups had plenty of advance notice that the university would do just that - about a year, iirc.

[okasha]

9. The policy seems entirely reasonable to me.

Most churches welcome non-members who are interested or even just curious. I don't see why these clubs should be any different.