February 3, 2012

Vanderbilt refuses exemptions for religious groups

Theresa Laurence, Tennessee Register

On Jan. 31, hundreds of Vanderbilt University students packed a town hall meeting on campus to protest the school’s nondiscrimination policy, which they say is being applied unfairly and is a threat to religious liberty.

University administrators were on hand to reiterate that they would not back down from enforcing the policy that requires religious organizations to open their leadership positions to anyone, regardless of beliefs.

For more than two months, Vanderbilt Catholic and other student religious organizations on campus were hoping and praying that the university would not apply its nondiscrimination polity to the leadership positions of their groups. But the town hall meeting, coming on the heels of a Jan. 20 letter from Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos, made Vanderbilt’s position clear. Zeppos’ letter stated, “The university does not seek to limit anyone’s freedom to practice his or her religion. We do, however, require all Vanderbilt registered student organizations to observe our nondiscrimination policy. That means membership in registered student organizations is open to everyone and that everyone, if desired, has the opportunity to seek leadership positions.”

Vanderbilt Catholic chaplain Father John Sims Baker rejects the claim that “all” Vanderbilt registered student organizations are bound by the non-discrimination policy. “There are literally dozens of student organizations that are exempt. All fraternities and sororities are discriminatory in leadership and membership. They don’t let just anyone join,” he said. “The policy is unfairly applied to religious groups.”

Despite protests from students, as well as outside Christian legal counsels and Bishop David Choby, among others, Vanderbilt decided not to make any exceptions for religious student organizations. In November, Bishop Choby wrote to Chancellor Zeppos, asking the university to “not apply Vanderbilt’s laudatory non-discrimination policy in this unfortunate manner.”

Vanderbilt Catholic is taking up this cause mostly in solidarity with fellow religious student organizations, including the Christian Legal Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, whose constitutions currently violate the nondiscrimination policy. These groups could lose their standing as registered student organizations if they do adapt to the non-discrimination policy.

“We saw the way other religious groups were being treated and could not sit by in good conscience, because it’s not fair,” Father Baker said. “There are no other schools that have a policy like Vandy and enforce it like they do.”

Vanderbilt Catholic recently submitted a new constitution to Vanderbilt administrators to seek annual re-approval for their organization. Religious student organizations in good standing are allowed use of the Vanderbilt name, funding from the Interfaith Council, space on the web server, and worship time in the on-campus Benton Chapel.

Vanderbilt Catholic’s one page constitution doesn’t explicitly state that those running for leadership positions must be practicing Catholics, but “it makes our mission very clear,” Father Baker said.

If Vanderbilt Catholic’s constitution were not approved for some reason, Father Baker said, it would certainly not spell the end for the thriving Catholic campus ministry program. The organization’s headquarters, the Frassati House, is located on the Cathedral of the Incarnation campus and is owned by the Diocese of Nashville. Vanderbilt Catholic would also continue to have ready access to Mass at the Cathedral. 

Father Baker doesn’t worry too much about Vanderbilt Catholic being hijacked by outsiders, but, he said, “there is a possibility for someone hostile to your mission to try and take over, to run for president, for a publicity stunt, and it could be very disruptive,” he said.

For now, all the noise about the nondiscrimination policy is not disrupting Vanderbilt Catholic’s mission and regular slate of activities. They have the Awakening retreat this weekend, daily Mass, weekly rosaries and adoration, and service projects like volunteering with Room in the Inn.

“We’re just going forward … working on the salvation of souls,” Father Baker said.