Why are we treated worse than others? Court will hear religious student group’s plea for equality

WASHINGTON – A Christian student group will ask a federal court this week to rule that public universities must treat religious student groups equally with other campus organizations. In InterVarsity Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University, InterVarsity had its 75-year-old status as a registered student organization suddenly revoked by Wayne State University because the group asks its leaders to embrace its Christian faith. But other student groups—such as political and ideological groups, fraternities and sororities, club sports, and select groups favored by university officials—can select leaders and members based on their mission or purpose. InterVarsity is seeking a ruling that will guarantee equal treatment with those groups. The argument comes on the heels of yesterday’s federal appellate ruling in BLinC v. University of Iowa, holding that the First Amendment requires equal treatment for religious groups.

What:
Oral Argument in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University

Who:
Lori Windham, senior counsel at Becket

When:
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

Where:
U.S. District Court
Eastern District of Michigan
Listen live HERE
Passcode: 015433

Lori Windham will be available for comment following the hearing.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Ryan Colby at media@becketlaw.org or 202-349-7219. Interviews can be arranged in English, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.