Cases

Baptist Student Union Christian Challenge at the University of New Mexico

Summary

The Baptist Student Union Christian Challenge is a recognized student organization at the University of New Mexico. The Student Activities Office at the University required Christian Challenge to change its constitution to communicate that leadership and voting membership are open to all students, regardless of whether they subscribe to the views held by Christian Challenge. Although Christian Challenge allows students of all religious backgrounds to participate in the group, it needs its leaders and those who select its leaders to include only students who espouse the group’s views. The University threatened to de-recognize the group if it did not promptly comply with this demand.

With the assistance of ADF attorneys, Christian Challenge submitted a revised constitution that protects its rights to limit leadership and voting membership to students who hold the views of Christian Challenge. The University approved the constitution, and the group was recognized.

Details

Institution: University of New Mexico

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Topic: Freedom of Association

Intervention: Non-litigation

Outcome: Victory

FREE SPEECH IN DIVIDED TIMES: THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION?