Earlier this month, the late Jerry Falwell's Liberty University decided to decertify its chapter of the Campus Democrats club. This means the group cannot use Liberty University's name on any of its materials, can't advertise events on campus, and can't use any university funds. Why? Because its parent organization, the national Democratic Party, "supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the 'LGBT' agenda, Hate Crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc".
Rachel Maddow goes into more detail:
These idiots are going to be sued, have their tax exempt status revoked, or both. Americans United for Separation of Church and State laid out a pretty solid case as to why what Liberty did was illegal, and has filed a formal complaint to the IRS. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), however, states that it's entirely within Liberty's rights as a private university to do so - once again, property rights discourse trumps all other legal arguments with them.
Reaction to the decision has been almost universally condemned. Young Democrats of America has set up a petition you can sign here.
Today the club members met with Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. to negotiate how the club may be recognized again. And one of the conditions Liberty is setting is a public apology:
After meeting with Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. today, members of Liberty University’s Campus Democrats club said they are developing a proposal that would let the club regain officially recognized status while promoting a pro-life agenda.
The club also is drafting an apology to the school and a retraction of some statements it made to the news media last week after the university revoked the club’s official recognition.
Maria Childress, the club’s staff adviser, said Falwell and other administrators criticized the club for its comments to the news media. A meeting of club representatives and university administrators lasted almost two hours today.
And the Administration has made it clear that they aren't budging when it comes to funding - which is likely to be the crux of any court case against them. Those clever Dems! They must know that classic maxim, "power concedes nothing without groveling apologies."
I've included the entire "cease and desist" letter the club got from the Liberty administration:
