Blog from the Capital

Following last week's decision by District Judge John Shabaz, directing the University of Wisconsin-Madison to recognize student religious groups despite their violation of the school's anti-discrimination policy, an editorial in the Wisconsin State Journal urges the University to accept the decision.

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that the First Amendment's freedom of speech includes a freedom of association, because to engage in effective speech people must be free to join in groups.
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The university should recognize that religious groups have a place in the American marketplace of ideas. They should not be disqualified from funding simply because students are practicing their freedom to join together under a religious doctrine.

Since Shabaz's decision, the Roman Catholic Foundation has changed the makeup of its board to produce a student majority. The university should now ensure that the foundation is truly a student organization. If so, it should be considered for funding, as long as the money is used for student programing. It should not be used as a direct donation to a church in a way that would violate the separation of church and state.

Inside Higher Ed yesterday ran a piece outlining recent developments in the relationship between public universities and religious student groups seeking recognition and funding.