Tomorrow, nearly a year of conflict surrounding Vanderbilt's nondiscrimination policy's perceived incongruence with religious freedom comes to a head when university officials hold a town hall meeting to address student, faculty and staff concerns about the policy.
We support the university's decision to enforce its preexisting nondiscrimination policy and hope that the Vanderbilt community can accept the policy for what it is: protection for all against discrimination by university-sanctioned groups.
Chancellor Zeppos made it patently clear in his Jan. 20 email to the student body that the university, "requires 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."
The nondiscrimination policy's rule that any student may apply for leadership in any religious group has been the source of significant criticism, including national attention from conservative figures such as Washington Post columnist George Will, who wrote that Vanderbilt's policy amounts to "compulsory conformity."
We understand and sympathize with these concerns. Religious groups need religious leaders in order to preserve their missions' integrity. An election process to choose leaders, however, should be sufficient for groups to collectively decide who is most qualified to serve in leadership positions.
The university's implementation of the nondiscrimination policy is not, as some assert, discriminatory against religious groups. To the contrary, the policy has become necessary to stop religious groups from discriminating. Hostile takeovers of religious organizations, if hypothetically possible, are unlikely. Religious discrimination against other minority groups, however, is a real problem, fresh in Vanderbilt's collective memory.
Vanderbilt student groups operate with the protection of Vanderbilt's name and the assistance of its money. In exchange, these groups must follow university rules. Every group on campus is required to abide by the nondiscrimination policy, the simple purpose of which is to ensure that students are not chosen for, or removed from, organizations on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
The policy failed in the fall of 2010. Beta Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity, expelled a student from its brotherhood because he was gay. This is unacceptable.
It is not for religious organizations at Vanderbilt to say that because one accepts their sexual orientation they cannot share the group's common faith. If qualified, any student should be able to lead organizations united around a common faith and mission, regardless of sexual orientation or any other class protected under the nondiscrimination policy.
The fight for LGBTQI equality is a defining struggle for our generation. History will ultimately decide how the players in this struggle are to be perceived. We believe the university, by enforcing its nondiscrimination policy, will be on the right side of history.
We do not believe diversity on campus consists of several internally homogenous groups. At Vanderbilt, diversity means continually engaging with those who look, act and think differently than oneself. Different ways of life do not undermine the integrity of student organizations; rather, they enhance it.
Tomorrow, Vanderbilt takes a step in the right direction in a noble, if unpopular, move toward equality for all who walk our halls.
-Editorials are written by and represent the views of The Hustler Editorial Board.
nicole nick posted at 10:22 pm on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
Bob:
"Protected class" is a term used in non-discrimination across the United States. It refers to traits or characteristics of people that are protected under law from discrimination or harassment. By this, one cannot be denied access to jobs, housing, etc because of race, sex, gender, religion, disability, age, national origin, familial status and veteran status.
If you'll notice, the groups listed on the page you referenced are divided based upon their protected class--the groups for a certain religion, disability, age, etc. Note that just because a group's name represents one idea does not mean that everyone in the group must fit within that defined category. The term "protected class" absolutely does not refer to groups that are exempt from anti-discrimination policies. Absolutely not.
The groups do not discriminate. Anyone can join, as I stated in my previous comment. They have no requirements for membership based on age, religion, sex, gender, disability, age, national origin, familial status, or veteran status.
Additionally, fraternities and sororities are formed under a version of Title IX law, which is specifically reserved for educational establishments (particularly schools) that simply states women and men must have equal opportunities under the law. If you'll notice, there are equal opportunities for women to join groups and receive the same benefits as men. If you have further questions about the validity of sororities and fraternities, I suggest you contact David Williams or the Office of Greek Life. I do not represent Vanderbilt Greek Life, so I believe you may find more information there, not on an online comment board.
Personally I have no interest joining a fraternity, although I do know some fraternities on campus do have both male and female members (for example, Phi Mu Alpha). I have not heard of anyone in the past trying to join an IFC fraternity as a woman or an NPC sorority as a man. Until that happens, I suppose we will not know for sure.
I have gone to events and club meetings of groups with which I do not identify and I have not been turned away.
Bob Mauer posted at 1:43 pm on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
I do not believe i am confused nicole
The following is a list of clubs and organizations that represent Vanderbilt’s diversity. The clubs and organizations are grouped under the appropriate Vanderbilt-recognized protected class.
What exactly does protected class mean then? Not to mention that the name of the student organizations alone suggest discrimination.
Nicole how about trying to join a frat or sorority, opposite of your gender. By this policy they would not be able to turn you away. Are you Muslim or Jewish? If one or neither go ahead and try to join the group. According to the policy they shouldn't be able to turn you away. You should even be able to run for president of any of the above.
As for your statement about proof they kicked him out for being homosexual. I have done many google searches and I have seen no report that shows with any definite that he was kicked out just because he was homosexual. How could you prove that is why he was kicked out?
Not that why he was kicked out matters. If other organizations on campus, religious or otherwise, are allowed to not come in line with the policy then none of them should have to.
nicole nick posted at 12:17 pm on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
Excuse me, Bob Mauer. It appears that you are confused.
The website to which you have linked is not a list of clubs that are excluded from the non-discrimination policy. If you'll notice, those clubs represent the diversity on this campus. The larger website--the Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability Services--is made available to anyone looking to join a group that supports a certain cause based around the tenants of non-discrimination (age, disability, sex/gender, military service, race, sexual orientation). If you would like, Bob, you can still join the Vanderbilt Lambda Association, even if you do not identify as homosexual. You are free to join Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students even if you yourself are not Hispanic. And to answer your previous question, you are free to join the math club even if you cannot recite pi past the third digit. I am sure that if such an organization existed on campus (to my knowledge there is no "math club"), they would be welcoming.
One of the main purposes of higher education, in my mind, is to gain a greater understanding of the world in which we live. By joining any of these organizations, I have confidence that any student will broaden his horizons and deepen his appreciation for diversity. It is not necessarily a question of belonging, it is a question of learning.
As to your question searching for proof of homosexuality for the individual dismissed from BYX, the topic has been covered extensively in the past. A simple Google search can provide you with more information.
Bob Mauer posted at 7:58 am on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
Let me ask you something else Kyle. Have you visited the schools website that lists all student organizations that are excluded from the non discrimination policy? Here is the link in case you do not know where this is at:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ead/orgs.html
Tell me something. How does anything tagged with Muslim or Jewish able to stay on the exclusion from non discrimination list?
Bob Mauer posted at 12:47 am on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
@Kyle
"I believe we may be talking about two different individuals. The individual this editorial board and my articles have referred to was indeed asked to leave because of his sexual orientation. This is a fact this individual, the university and the fraternity itself would stand behind. "
What proof do you have that this individual was kicked out for being homosexual? Did he get a letter saying you can no longer be in the frat because you are homosexual?
How many other student organizations are effected by this? If I can't say what pie is out to 15 digits could I still join say the math club or would it be ok for them to discriminate against me for my lack of math skills? For that matter how can a frat or sorority exist on the campus at all? Pretty sure but discriminate based on gender do they not? Cause if they don't I tell you what I am moving into the Delta Delta Delta house ASAP!
Perhaps a better question should by why would you want to join an organization of any sort that you "don't belong" in anyway, let alone try to be a leader of.
Kyle Blaine posted at 12:47 am on Wed, Feb 1, 2012.
Hi all,
My name is Kyle Blaine and I am the director of InsideVandy. Also, I have been covering this story since it broke in the Fall of 2010. I don't like to enter the fray on the comment board, but I thought I would clarify a few factual errors made.
@SomeoneWhoKnows
I believe we may be talking about two different individuals. The individual this editorial board and my articles have referred to was indeed asked to leave because of his sexual orientation. This is a fact this individual, the university and the fraternity itself would stand behind.
@Trenton Winford
The individual was removed from the whole fraternity, and to my knowledge, never held an officer corps position in BYX.
I hope this clears up the confusion. Also, I would like to point to the Rules of Conduct #3 on the comment board ("Be Truthful"). There is plenty of misinformation out there, and I'd prefer the conversation in these comments not add to the misinformation.
Trenton Winford posted at 3:03 pm on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
@nicole
He was removed from the officer corps of BYX, not from the whole fraternity. Officers have also been removed for heterosexual relations and drinking, which along with homosexuality violates the Honor Code of BYX.
SomeoneWhoKnows posted at 2:53 pm on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
We should clarify some things. The individual who was kicked out of BYX was not kicked out because of his sexuality. He was kicked out in the spring semester because he stopped going to chapter at the beginning of the preceding fall semester. Those who did ask him to leave BYX, at the time, were not even aware of his sexuality. What did he do with it? Well, he was bitter and angry and decided to run with it--starting a media frenzy and trying to get BYX in as much trouble as possible by stating he was kicked out because of his sexuality. How do I know? Because I lived with him, heard all of his comments, and watched the whole thing unfold. The entire situation is terribly sad and started because a bitter individual was seeking revenge.
Alexander Moen posted at 4:22 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
I think that a few points regarding religious groups' position need to be clarified. This editorial made them unclear:
Religious organizations are not seeking a blanket ban from the non-discrimination policy. They are looking for an exemption to the religious affiliation portion of it for their leadership.
1) This means that they will continue to be open to all members of the Vanderbilt Community for membership.
2) This means that they will still comply with the rest of the policy, i.e. race, gender, etc.
The request for an exemption is meant to maintain the integrity of the organization, which benefits the Vanderbilt Community as a whole by contributing to the diversity of ideas.
Joshua Allen posted at 5:55 pm on Mon, Jan 30, 2012.
"A religious body’s right to self-governance must include the
ability to select, and to be selective about, those who will serve as
the very ‘embodiment of its message’” –Supreme Court Justice
Alito
Joshua Allen posted at 5:24 pm on Mon, Jan 30, 2012.
As a member of Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX)-Brothers Under Christ at the Upsilon Chapter of the University of Florida, I understand that all organizations have to abide to a nondiscrimination policy, but I also understand, there has to be a point where an organization is allowed to admit who they want (even if it might upset some a few in the process) in order to retain its original purpose and stay true to its identity. Let me explain…BYX is was founded by Christian men for Christian men. That is its purpose by design. What does that mean? For one, members must be professing Christians, male, and agree to abide by our code of conduct (which includes not practicing homosexuality). Just because that’s who we choose to accept into our organization does not mean we “discriminate” or are not accepting of others who do not fit that criteria. Jesus Christ had some very specific criteria for those who wished to be one of His disciples. Just because someone wasn’t a disciple of His didn’t mean He loved those people any less. Likewise, we have a certain standard we have to uphold, but we will still love others regardless. To put this in more familiar terms, say you had an honor society that only accepted people with a 4.0 GPA. If I have a 3.9 GPA and want to be in this organization, I would not be let in because I did not meet the criteria for being a member. *gasp* Discrimination! I’m being discriminated on the basis of my GPA! If however, the honor society started being hateful towards me or threatening because I could not make a 4.0 GPA, now we have a problem. That would be true discrimination. You see the difference? The point of a nondiscrimination policy is to prevent a culture of hatred based on (fill in the blank). If an organization crosses that line, that’s when you have a problem.
nicole nick posted at 2:19 pm on Mon, Jan 30, 2012.
Concerned--what failed here was when a student was kicked out of a Christian fraternity (BYX) because was homosexual. Therefore, he was removed from an organization on the basis of sexual orientation.
Concerned posted at 1:10 pm on Mon, Jan 30, 2012.
Statement: "Every group on campus is required to abide by the nondiscrimination policy, the simple purpose of which is to ensure that students are not chosen for, or removed from, organizations on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. The policy failed in the fall of 2010."
Question: What failed? FYI- The Vanderbilt Student Handbook's policy (prior through 12/8/2010) regarding Sexual Orientation states, “Vanderbilt University is committed to the principle of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or the perception of one’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. In affirming its commitment to this principle, the University does not limit freedom of religious association, does not require adherence to this principle by government agencies or external organizations that associate with, but are not controlled by the University, and does not extend benefits beyond those provided under other policies of the University."
Adam Anon posted at 8:46 am on Mon, Jan 30, 2012.
Point: "We do not believe diversity on campus consists of several internally homogenous groups."
Counterpoint: "Editorials are written by and represent the views of The Hustler Editorial Board."