Vanderbilt University operates its own police force on campus. Photo Credit Vanderbilt University News
The Tennessee attorney general says legislation that would take away Vanderbilt University’s right to have a police force is “constitutionally suspect.”
The legislation is a second attempt to punish the university for its “all comers” nondiscrimination policy. The policy says that campus organizations can’t discriminate against anyone who wants to become a member. Religious organizations in particular resisted the policy for preventing them from making sure members followed their same beliefs.
Representative Mark Pody of Lebanon says he’s not all that surprised by the attorney general’s unfavorable opinion. Pody says he’s uncertain whether to push for votes on the bill, which are scheduled next week.
“I do want to stand up for the students over there. That’s who I think I’m fighting for. But what my next tack is or how I want to do it, I’m just not sure.”
Governor Bill Haslam vetoed last year’s attempt at undermining Vanderbilt’s “all comers” policy. In comments this week, he has echoed the attorney general by saying the bill this session is not that much different.
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