San Bernadino Student Group Challenges Nondiscrimination Policies

The Associated Press yesterday reported on a battle over university anti-discrimination policies taking place at California State University, San Bernadino. There the Christian Student Association is seeking university recognition that will entitle it to funding and use of university facilities. However the university has refused to approve the group's charter. California law prohibits student groups at public universities from excluding students because of their religion or sexual orientation. The CSA's proposed constitution includes a statement on sexual morality and requires members and officers to be Christian. Here, as at other universities where similar disputes are taking place, CSA argues that the non-discrimination requirements violate the group's religious freedom. The organizer of the CSA chapter at San Bernadino is Ryan Sorba, who is also president of the campus Young Republicans and is a controversial figure on campus. Similar anti-discrimination policies at California State University campuses in Long Beach and San Diego are the subject of a lawsuit filed last month by the Alliance Defense Fund. (See prior posting.)