Univeristy of South Carolina Student Organization Funding Challenged

Last Thursday, the Christian Legal Society at the University of South Carolina filed suit against the University challenging a University rule that makes recognized student religious organizations ineligible for general funding from student activity fees. Religious groups may only apply for special funding for content neutral programs. The federal court complaint (full text) alleges that the University rule amounts to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and violates CLS's free exercise rights. A release issued Sunday by the Alliance Defense Fund says that "instead of formally serving the complaint filed with the court, ADF and CLS attorneys sent a courtesy copy to university officials with a letter requesting that they correct the unconstitutional policy within two weeks."