Catholic University of America: Rejection of Campus NAACP Chapter

Case Materials

"Victory for Freedom at Catholic University of America," FIRE Press Release, October 13, 2004: The Catholic University of America has finally decided to officially recognize a campus chapter of the NAACP. Administrators initially tried to justify their decision to deny the group recognition through claims that it was "unnecessary" because two other minority groups already existed on campus. Facing pressure from FIRE and a threat of litigation from the NAACP, the university's reversal signals that it is now prepared to honor its own policies protecting and promoting student freedoms.
" FIRE Calls on Catholic University of America to Recognize Student Chapter of the NAACP," FIRE Press Release, August 10, 2004: The Catholic University of America (CUA) has denied official approval to a group of students wishing to open a campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Despite university policies that protect student freedoms of dissent and expression, CUA has argued that the existence of two other minority groups on campus make the group unnecessary.
"FIRE's Letter to Catholic University of America," June 30, 2004
"Letter from Catholic University of America Vice President Frank G. Persico to FIRE, June 30, 2004," June 30, 2004

"Catholic University Reverses Decision on Student NAACP Chapter," Melanie Hunter, Cybercast News Service, October 14, 2004: (CNSNews.com) - The Catholic University of America (CUA) has reversed its decision to ban a chapter of the NAACP from its campus after calling it "unnecessary" because two other minority groups already existed on campus.
"Catholic U. Reverses Ban on NAACP Chapter, Avoiding Threatened Lawsuit," Daniel Engber, The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 13, 2004: Catholic University of America has approved a request by students to form a campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, six months after turning them down.