ADF sues Virginia State University over Christian student ministries policy

Two Christian student organizations have filed a federal lawsuit against Virginia State University (VSU), saying the school stripped them of their official campus status and placed them under the direct authority of a university-appointed minister. 1 2 Attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed the suit on behalf of the campus chapters of Women of Victory and Bethel Campus Fellowship, both local chapters of national organizations that host Bible studies, leadership training and spiritual development events. 1 2 The suit challenges VSU's updated Campus Ministries Policy, which the plaintiffs argue violates the First Amendment by forcing Christian student groups under university control while granting exemptions to non-Christian religious groups. 1

According to the policy as described in the coverage, all Christian student-led ministries must operate under the "governance and influence" of VSU Campus Minister Thomas Wynn and an advisory board of faculty and university personnel, and student ministries are barred from affiliating with their national parent organizations. 1 2 Non-Christian and Muslim student organizations remain exempt from the mandate, according to the legal filing. 1 Both groups are still listed on VSU's website, but ADF representatives said the online directory does not reflect their current operational status on campus. 2

ADF senior counsel Tyson Langhofer said the policy unconstitutionally penalizes Christian students for their religious beliefs and that a public university cannot treat secular groups better than religious ones, or one religious group worse than another, whatever its motives. 1 2 Langhofer pointed to "theological differences" between the campus pastor and the student groups as a core issue, and said the policy amounts to an attempt by the university to control what the groups do; he said he did not know whether that was the policy's origin. 1 2 He cited Supreme Court precedent that all student groups on campus must be treated equally, and the plaintiffs are asking a court to restore their status as fully recognized registered student organizations (RSOs). 1 2

Virginia State University did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment, so the university's account of the policy is not yet reported. 1