Vanderbilt Trustees Wyatt Smith and Elizabeth Bennett speak with students.

Christian students at Vanderbilt are trying to attract the attention of university trustees during their final meeting of the school year. Groups who’ve chosen not to comply with a newly-enforced nondiscrimination policy want the board to intervene.

The controversial “all-comers” rule requires student groups to let anyone join and prevents organizations from having belief-based qualifications for leadership.

Students and alumni upset by the rule say they were denied a chance to speak directly to the entire Vanderbilt board, so they invited trustees to a luncheon. Elizabeth Bennett – a recent graduate – is one of only a few who showed up to listen.

“Ultimately we are responsible, but it’s a balance between trusting the administration or going over their head, deciding to take action or deciding to be supportive.”

So far the Trustees have been supportive. But Bennett says she and many others have been hearing a lot from displeased students and alumni.

Vanderbilt “Disappointed” by Noncompliant Religious Groups

More than a dozen religious student groups have chosen not to comply. The deadline to apply for official status passed this week.

The university points out in a news release that 26 religious organizations – though not all Christian – have agreed to follow the all-comers rule.

Pieter Valk is a member of the Navigators, one of the organizations refusing to comply because they want to keep belief-based qualifications for leaders.

“A majority of Christian groups and over 1,500 students will no longer be on campus if the administration follows through with this policy. And I honestly do not think that is a reality that they want to have for this university.”

Vanderbilt is trying to soften the blow. All groups will still be able to use Benton Chapel for worship services. However, noncompliant organizations will have to drop “Vanderbilt” from their name and rent space to gather on campus.

The university traces back the new enforcement of its “all-comers” rule to 2010 when allegations emerged of a gay student being asked to leave a Christian fraternity.