Liberty University has shut down the students Democrats club. You can read all about it on Pharyngula [“Liberty” University really ought to look at the first word in their name].The email message has been published by the Washington Post. It needs to be widely circulated to illustrate just how Liberty University is treating its students.
From: Hine, Mark (VP Student Affairs)This is just the beginning. Mark my words. In a few weeks they're going to shut down the "Liberty University Gays and Lesbians Club" and the "Liberty University Secular Humanist Club." And it's only a matter of time before the "Liberty University Teletubbies Fan Club" is kicked off campus.
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 1:37 PM
Subject: LU College Democrats
I must inform you that the College democrats' club is no longer going to be recognized as a Liberty University club. We are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by Liberty University. I expressed these concerns when we met, earlier in the spring semester.
The Liberty Way states, "It is the duty of every student to respect Liberty's Statement of Doctrine and Purpose. They may not engage in any activity on or off campus that would compromise the testimony or reputation of the University or cause disruption to Liberty's Christian learning environment."
The Liberty University School of Law had been working on a policy to govern their clubs and organizations for quite some time. They have now completed that policy and we have adopted it for Liberty University as well. Now that it has been adopted and will apply to all clubs and organizations, it is clear that this club does not comply.
Below is a copy of the policy which governs clubs and organizations at Liberty University. This policy is posted on the website.STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS POLICIESEven though this club may not support the more radical planks of the democratic party, the democratic party is still the parent organization of the club on campus. The Democratic Party Platform is contrary to the mission of LU and to Christian doctrine (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). The candidates this club supports uphold the Platform and implement it. The candidates supported are directly contrary to the mission of LU. By using LU or Liberty University and Democrat in the name, the two are associated and the goals of both run in opposite directions.
Student clubs or organizations must request and receive permission from the Liberty University administration before they may meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use any University facilities for their activities or events. All such clubs or organizations and their activities or events must be consistent with the University's mission, and must be and remain in compliance with the Liberty Way, the Honor Code, and any policies or procedures promulgated by the University. The University reserves the right to refuse the use of its facilities for any reason to any student club, organization, activity or event.
Consistent with the Honor Code, all students, student clubs and organizations, faculty and staff of Liberty University, have a responsibility to uphold the moral and ethical standards of this institution and personally confront those who do not.
No student club or organization shall be approved, recognized or permitted to meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use University facilities if the statements, positions, doctrines, policies, constitutions, bylaws, platforms, activities or events of such club or organization, its parent, affiliate, chapter or similarly named group (even if the similarly named group is not the actual parent, affiliate or chapter) are inconsistent or in conflict with the distinctly Christian mission of the University, the Liberty Way, the Honor Code, or the policies and procedures promulgated by the University.
We are removing the club from the Liberty website and you will need to cease using Liberty University's name, including any logo, seal or mark of Liberty University. They are not to be used in any of your publications, electronic or internet, including but not limited to, any website, Facebook, Twitter or any other such publication.
If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mark Hine
VP for Student Affairs
Liberty University
8 comments :
Perhaps "Bigotry University" would be a more accurate name.
"Consistent with the Honor Code, all
. . . . have a responsibility to uphold the moral and ethical standards . . . and personally confront those who do not."
Police (defined by the OED as "regulate, administer, or control") would be more accurate than "personally confront."
Assuming that there is a Young Republicans club at Liberty, and that they have not had their charter pulled, it is reassuring to know that the GOP support of torture, unilateral wars of aggression, and opposition to programs which ensure medical care for children are indeed consistent with the moral code of the 'University'.
The middle east has it's religous kooks, and we have ours.....my brother in law sent his kid to "christian" school. Spending $25K a year on a school that teaches the earth is 6,000 years old is not logical.
I applaud Liberty "university" for doing that; as a Democrat I actually agree with the statement that Democrats have nothing in common with them.
The "students" who attend this piece of crap school should take the advice of Richard Dawkins when he was in Lynchburg on his book tour a couple of years ago. "Transfer to a real university," he told the Liberty "students" in the audience at Randolph-Macon college.
I would think it would be appropriate to make no political groups be official at such Christian schools--politics being adept at getting people into an "us vs. them" mentality.
"Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'No', replied..." (Jos 5:13-14)
Like "wrong question!"
I actually worked with a grad student who had attended Liberty U.
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