Southern Illinois University at Carbondale: Derecognition of Christian Law School Group
Southern Illinois University's College of Law became a subject of controversy and lawsuit after it derecognized the Christian Legal Society because CLS refused to allow anyone in its leadership who openly engaged in fornication or homosexuality, which SIU claimed violated its anti-discrimination policies. After a discouraging denial of its motion for preliminary injunction at trial, the Christian Legal Society appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, where a three judge panel reversed the trial court, ordering SIU to recognize the Christian Legal Society. The case, Christian Legal Society v. Walker, was not only a commendable victory for freedom of association, but also the groundwork for a case that is currently pending review before the Supreme Court of the United States, Truth v. Kane.
- "Federal Court Orders Southern Illinois University to Recognize Christian Group," July 11, 2006: A federal appeals court has ordered Southern Illinois University’s School of Law to grant a Christian student group, the Christian Legal Society, the same rights as secular student groups on its campus. Last year, FIRE filed an amicus brief in the case, urging the appeals court to reach this very result.
- "Seventh Circuit Opinion Granting Preliminary Injunction in Christian Legal Society v. Walker, July 10, 2006," July 11, 2006
- "FIRE's Seventh Circuit Amicus Brief in Christian Legal Society v. Walker, September 13, 2005," September 13, 2005
Case Materials
- "Rights of the Accused,"
by Steve Kolowich, Inside Higher Ed, February 12, 2010
