Religious liberty of campus student groups ensured under new rule

The U.S. Department of Education on Sept. 9 finalized its new rule which prohibits institutions from denying faith-based student groups any of the rights, benefits or privileges that other student groups enjoy.

Under the Religious Liberty and Free Inquiry Final Rule, a religious student organization would have the same rights as other student organizations at the public institution to receive official recognition, to use the institution’s facilities, and to receive student fee funds. 

The Final Rule prohibits discrimination against religious student organizations because of their beliefs, practices, policies, speech, membership standards or leadership standards, which are informed by sincerely held religious beliefs.

In the past few years, Christian student groups like Young Life and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship have been denied recognition as official campus organizations at some public colleges because they required student leaders to agree with the group’s religious beliefs.

Greg Jao, director of external relations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, said the rule will protect student groups and encourage religious diversity on campuses by welcoming all religious groups.

The rule will take effect in about 60 days.