Federal judge presses University of Iowa on singling out religious student organization (Iowa)

The Gazette ^ | 01/18/2018 | The Gazette

[aimhigh]

A federal court judge who will decide whether the University of Iowa discriminated in deregistering a faith-based student organization asked UI attorneys Thursday if the institution has taken steps to ensure it is applying standards equally to all groups.

U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Rose pressed UI attorney George Carroll, specifically, on whether UI has addressed allegations it unequally enforced its human rights policy by deregistering Business Leaders in Christ for barring an openly-gay student. The student organization — which goes by BLinC — has argued other UI groups limit membership and leadership to those who agree with their ideals and religious beliefs, including Imam Mahdi, which reserves leadership posts for Shia Muslims and requires they “refrain from major sins.”

“Has the University of Iowa taken any steps to ensure that organization has modified its constitution?” Rose asked about the Muslim group. Carroll answered, “No.”

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks aimhigh.

...other UI groups limit membership and leadership to those who agree with their ideals and religious beliefs, including Imam Mahdi, which reserves leadership posts for Shia Muslims and requires they “refrain from major sins.” “Has the University of Iowa taken any steps to ensure that organization has modified its constitution?” Rose asked about the Muslim group. Carroll answered, “No.”

[FreedomPoster]

No surprises here.

[Jane Austen]

btt

[pierrem15]

The university’s position is that student organization membership should be open to anyone regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or other protected class. When the judge on Thursday asked if the university has proactively enforced that stance, Carroll said it has not and only responds to specific complaints.

“This is a complaint-driven process,” Carroll said.

What she really meant is, "this is a leftist activist driven process," because that's what she really means.

And the whole point of the process is to empower leftist political officers to use the weight of university sanctions while the university sits back and claims it is only responding to complaints (wink, wink).

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I'm wondering if/when a large group of conservative students will join a liberal college group, elect themselves into positions of power, rewrite their constitution, then rinse & repeat.

Could be great fun.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I don’t hold out much hope for this judicial appointee...

Rose, Stephanie Marie
Born 1972 in Topeka, KS

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
Nominated by Barack Obama on February 2, 2012, to a seat vacated by Robert W. Pratt. Confirmed by the Senate on September 10, 2012, and received commission on September 17, 2012.