2008 Woodie Awards
Who has the right?
Christian Legal Society proclaims that current system violates rights to free speech, discourages religious exercise
Jackie Alexander
Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News
A Christian legal group has filed a complaint against the university in federal district court, alleging that the student organization funding system violates the First Amendment.
The Christian Legal Society and the USC School of Law Chapter filed the complaint on Feb. 28, attorney Casey Mattox said. Mattox said the current funding practices do not allow religious or political student organizations to receive student activity fees.
"It essentially leaves religious and political student organizations out of the funding process," Mattox said.
The Christian Legal Society is a non-profit organization that seeks "to be the national grassroots network of lawyers and law students, committed to proclaiming, loving and serving Jesus Christ, through all we do and say in the practice of law," according to the group's mission statement.
The complaint alleges that the current system lacks adequate protection against viewpoint discrimination, violating the right to free speech and that the current system also restricts the free exercise of religion.
The group has not served the university with legal papers, instead giving them until March 17 to respond
"We're hoping that the university will take action to change this before it is even necessary to serve them," Mattox said.
Jerry Brewer, associate vice president for student affairs and who is named in the complaint, said he has had no contact with the group beyond the letter he received this morning.
"Historically, we do not take mandatory fees and then convert them to partisan and religious groups that might offend students," Brewer said, adding "but we will fund their activities."
In the complaint, the group alleges "special funding money was exhausted by the end of the fall semester, leaving no money available for the spring semester." Additionally, according to finance codes, religious and political organizations can only fund "specific content neutral programs."
The Christian Legal Society and the USC School of Law Chapter filed the complaint on Feb. 28, attorney Casey Mattox said. Mattox said the current funding practices do not allow religious or political student organizations to receive student activity fees.
"It essentially leaves religious and political student organizations out of the funding process," Mattox said.
The Christian Legal Society is a non-profit organization that seeks "to be the national grassroots network of lawyers and law students, committed to proclaiming, loving and serving Jesus Christ, through all we do and say in the practice of law," according to the group's mission statement.
The complaint alleges that the current system lacks adequate protection against viewpoint discrimination, violating the right to free speech and that the current system also restricts the free exercise of religion.
The group has not served the university with legal papers, instead giving them until March 17 to respond
"We're hoping that the university will take action to change this before it is even necessary to serve them," Mattox said.
Jerry Brewer, associate vice president for student affairs and who is named in the complaint, said he has had no contact with the group beyond the letter he received this morning.
"Historically, we do not take mandatory fees and then convert them to partisan and religious groups that might offend students," Brewer said, adding "but we will fund their activities."
In the complaint, the group alleges "special funding money was exhausted by the end of the fall semester, leaving no money available for the spring semester." Additionally, according to finance codes, religious and political organizations can only fund "specific content neutral programs."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
Kevin
posted 3/04/08 @ 6:53 AM EST
Yeah....it's probably a good idea to not have organizations that offend. Let me check out another article in the gamecock....oh, Safe Oral Sex day is happening. (Continued…)
K2
posted 3/04/08 @ 6:56 AM EST
OOOh, or you could just visit Dr. Ruth with advice on how to "do it". Awesome. Certainly nothing offensive there!
Bottom line? Offensive means different things to different people, and on a college campus, conservative notions are offensive. (Continued…)
JS85
posted 3/04/08 @ 9:15 AM EST
Separation of church and state? Why should a state university provide funds for people to voice their beliefs.
If these groups cared that much about getting their opinions out there, they'd toss in a few bucks and fund it themselves. (Continued…)
Elizabeth Herring
posted 3/04/08 @ 9:44 AM EST
The government bias against religion is contrary to the ideas and practices of this country's origens. Until the 20th century, most schools and colleges were created to further religious education. (Continued…)
Jess
posted 3/04/08 @ 10:41 AM EST
To JS85 -
Perhaps if you lack the intelligence to realize these groups do in fact provide their own funding then just maybe you should refrain from public comment on issues above your head. (Continued…)
?(?_?)?
posted 3/04/08 @ 11:36 AM EST
Separation of Church and State. This is a state-funded facility. Enough said. It's dumb for adults to have imaginary friends anyway, let alone take our tax dollars hard at work for them to continue the fantasy and try to get others wrapped up in it. (Continued…)
JSproat
posted 3/04/08 @ 11:48 AM EST
As the former leader of the South Carolina Student Legislature, I have to say that the idea of competing with even more student organizations for funding does not make a whole lot of sense. (Continued…)
Randy
posted 3/04/08 @ 2:56 PM EST
It's about time someone brought this problem to light (the discrimination against religion). For one, religious groups, which are made up of fee paying students, should have as much right to these funds as any other group. (Continued…)
paul
posted 3/04/08 @ 11:13 PM EST
Maybe its time for all of USC to get their heads out of the ass and get to educating. If this organization was funded, then continue to fund. If not, then so be it. (Continued…)
t
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:49 PM EST
STOP TAKING BREWER'S COMMENTS OUT OF CONTEXT! I despise the guy but he's right on target:
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"Historically, we do not take mandatory fees and then convert them to partisan and religious groups that might offend students," Brewer said, adding "but we will fund their activities. (Continued…)
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