U.S. Reps Pressure Vanderbilt About Campus Policy

– Updated with response from Vanderbilt below –

Several members of Tennessee’s Congressional delegation are calling on Vanderbilt University to change an anti-discrimination policy for campus groups.

Congressmen Stephen Fincher, Chuck Fleischmann, Diane Black and Marsha Blackburn all signed a letter (PDF here) to Vanderbilt officials.

The four Republicans say the policy is driving away religious groups, because they can’t require members or leaders to share their beliefs. The letter also calls an exemption for fraternities and sororities a double standard, and accuses the school of “hostility” to religious groups.

At the state level, last week conservative lawmakers passed a bill meant to pressure Vanderbilt about the “All Comers” policy, but the governor said he will veto the measure.

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Vanderbilt Responds

Beth Fortune, VU’s vice chancellor for public affairs:

“We have received the letter from the Congressional Prayer Caucus and plan to respond. Vanderbilt’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all student groups who wish to be registered student organizations at the university. Our policy does not target specific student groups. Student groups that wish to practice their faith are welcome at Vanderbilt, and we are pleased that 27 religious student groups of diverse faiths have indicated they will comply with our nondiscrimination policy and be registered for next academic year. These religious student groups are among the more than 400 total student groups that have agreed to comply with our nondiscrimination policy and will be recognized as registered student organizations next academic year. We remain committed to both keeping as many religious student groups on campus as possible, as well as maintaining a policy of nondiscrimination.”

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