The Christian Post reports that in January, an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group was prevented from holding a Bible study in a residence hall common area at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.
According to InterVarsity, a student leader was asked to leave Ward Hall, after being invited by students to lead a Bible study in a residence hall lounge.
“The residence assistant informed the student leader that he was no longer allowed in Ward Hall to lead Bible studies even with the express invitation of students in the dorm,” said Gregory L. Jao, National Field director for the Northeast Cluster of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
The College denies that the decision has anything to do with religious freedom.
"The students met in a common space in a residence hall. These public spaces are intended for informal use by those residents, and, therefore, are not to be booked for regular weekly meetings by student organizations," Lauren Bradley, public affairs director in the Office of Marketing and Communications, told The Christian Post.
In addition, InterVarsity was also de-recognized by the College for not agreeing to the school’s anti-discrimination policy pertaining to student membership.
"We require all student organizations to accept this policy as a condition of Rollins' support, meaning, if they do not accept the policy they cannot use the Rollins name, receive funding, recruit on campus or utilize emails lists or other campus promotions," said Bradley.
InterVarsity is currently submitting statements to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights protesting the trend of anti-discrimination policies at university campuses prohibiting religious organizations from using religious criteria in choosing student leaders.
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