Discrimination

So it begins again. Iowa State University students and staff are trying to allow non-Christians and members of the LGBTA community into Christian religious organizations. The supporters of this petition claim that no student organization can discriminate in its membership those protected by the university non-discrimination policy.

The only problem is with the pesky Student Organization Recognition Policy:

Recognized organizations shall not practice discrimination: “Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.

Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3680 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.” (Reaffirmed on July 1, 2005: http://www.hrs.iastate.edu/AAO/reaffirmation.pdf) The university will make reasonable accommodation to those student organizations that are formed to foster or affirm the sincerely held religious beliefs of its members and request to adopt a non-discrimination statement limits membership and participation in their student organization to students who, upon individual inquiry, affirm that they support the organizations goals and agree with its beliefs.

This policy wisely makes exceptions for religious groups as it should. Need I even say that this would never happen to a Muslim religious group?