Chick-fil-A stirs college opposition

The student senate at Northeastern University, in Boston, voted recently to end negotiations to bring fast-food chain Chick-fil-A to campus after students protested over the company’s affiliation with several Christian organizations the students say have an “anti-gay” agenda. 

The Atlanta-based company, dogged for months by accusations of homophobia, insists it is “not anti-anybody” but instead simply wants to “graciously serve great food and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” But students from at least 10 campuses aren’t buying it. Incensed over the company’s Christian values, they opposed new franchises and lobbied for the removal of existing restaurants on campuses across the country. 

At Northeastern, the student body eagerly embraced Chick-fil-A’s proposal to become a vendor in the student center until a small group of students complained about the organizations to which the company contributes through its WinShape Foundation. Led by senior Taylor Cotter, a member of the school’s’ student senate who spent almost a year opposing the company’s interest in coming to campus, the students circulated a petition and gathered 300 signatures — about 1.5 percent of the student body. Despite the relatively small opposition, the school’s student government quickly voted to end negotiations with the company. School administrators supported the decision, saying the company’s principles contradicted Northeastern’s respect for diversity and support for the gay community. 

Responding with their own written statement, company representatives said they were disappointed over the school’s “hasty” decision: “We are not anti-anybody and Chick-fil-A [has] no agenda, policy or position against anyone as some reports continue to represent.” 

Chick-fil-A also has faced opposition at Duke University, Bowling Green State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gainesville State College, Indiana University South Bend, Mississippi State University, Texas Tech University, the University of North Texas and New York University.  

(BP)