Pennsylvania State University: Charges of ‘Discrimination’ Due to Religious Language in Club Constitution

Case Materials

• "Buckley and Seebach on FIRE," April 12, 2001: FIRE's two recent victories—at the University of Alaska and at Pennsylvania State University—continue to provoke profound editorial commentary about the academic betrayal of fundamental rights, the double standards that prevail on America's campuses, and the role of FIRE in securing liberty for both students and faculty. As Justice Brandeis said, "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."
• "Letter from Penn State YAF Chairman Jeffery A. Budney FIRE, April 10, 2001," April 10, 2001
• "FIRE Secures the Rights of Penn State’s Young Americans for Freedom," FIRE Press Release, March 26, 2001: Young Americans for Freedom at Penn State University won a momentous victory when the University reversed a student and faculty ruling that had stripped the group's constitution and mission statement of religious and philosophical language found to be "discriminatory." FIRE brought the case to the attention of Penn State's President, Graham Spanier, who immediately resolved the case to the advantage of liberty.
• "Letter from Penn State President Graham B. Spanier to FIRE, March 12, 2001," March 12, 2001

Media Coverage

• "Ignorance of our founding principles can endanger us all," Katherine Kersten, Star Tribune (Minneapolis–St. Paul), March 5, 2006: Last week, FIRE took a significant step toward guaranteeing religious freedom in our own back yard. Lukianoff reports that after months of pressure from FIRE, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire agreed to drop its policy banning student resident assistants from leading Bible studies (or Torah or Koran studies) in their dormitories. UW System President Kevin Reilly proposed repealing the ban, though the UW Board of Regents must approve.
• "Speech codes make universities intolerant," Charles Mitchell, The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.), January 5, 2006: How much more data does one need? Arms of the state, including Surra's own alma mater, are enacting and enforcing clearly unconstitutional policies. In plain English, they're breaking the law, at taxpayer expense.
• "PC Students Soon to be Unleashed on Public," Susan Jenkins, The Washington Times, April 17, 2001
• "The Few, the Brave, and FIRE," Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2001: The lead editorial in today's Wall Street Journal analyzes the moral and civic significance of FIRE's recent victories at Penn State University and at the University of Alaska.
• "Who Do We Blame?," William Buckley, National Review, April 10, 2001
• "Student Group Can Use 'God' in Creed," Andrea Billups, The Washington Times, March 30, 2001
• "Penn State Reverses Policy on Club," Lou Marano, United Press International, March 26, 2001