Liberty University Revokes Recognition Of Democratic Club

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Democrats

(AP)

Liberty University in Lynchbyrg, Va., has revoked its recognition of the campus Democratic Party club because, according to a university official, the club's "parent organization stands against the moral principles held by Liberty."

In a May 15 e-mail to the student group, Liberty Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Hine said the club must end its affiliation with University. The group can no longer use Liberty's name, logo, or seal for its publications, Web sites, Facebook page, Twitter account or anything else.

"The Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of LU and to Christian doctrine (supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the 'LGBT' agenda, Hate Crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc)," Hine wrote in the e-mail to the LU College Democrats.

Liberty, which was founded by the late Christian evangelist Rev. Jerry Falwell, has had a College Republicans club for years. The College Democrats formed late last year and supported Barack Obama in the presidential election.

The university's action has become a rallying point for Democrats. The College Democrats of America Alumni Association is raising money online to show administrators at Liberty "that attacking our freedom of expression will only strengthen College Democrats nationwide."

All three Democratic candidates in the Virginia gubernatorial race have spoken out on the school's decision, according to the Lynchburg News and Advance. Democratic National Committee chairman and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, who is Catholic, also put out a statement.

"I urge the leadership of Liberty University to reverse this attack on the liberty of its students and allow the College Democrats to have the same rights on campus as their counterparts, the College Republicans," he said.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by NightOwl325 November 10, 2010 1:03 PM EST: There is no attack on the College Democrats. LU just saw that they were going in a different direction than the mission statement of the school, so they aren't allowed to use the university's logo anymore. I think Tim Kaine can calm down.; Reply to this comment


by imaconsertive June 6, 2009 10:13 PM EDT: Anyone wanting the truth can get it off "The Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC. She appears to give a pretty fair appraisal of what really took place.; Reply to this comment


by ebet67 May 27, 2009 10:56 PM EDT: (a) Would any private university whose philosophies align with the Democratic party like to be forced to subsidize Republican activity?
(b) LU, its leaders and its students, might have a greater impact and influence if they'd leave political organizations out of the picture--Republicans, too...
(c) Vote, speak informatively and persuasively on issues, debate on issues, and volunteer on practical civic activities that bring direct benefit to individuals, families and the community.; Reply to this comment


by UniversityMom May 26, 2009 6:45 PM EDT: Actually the university has no problem with these Democratic students (who happen to be pro life). They would probably give them full endorsment if it weren't for the fact that the Democratic platform is pro choice. The University knows what the students believe and are behind them. But they can't endorce the National Democratic Party because it is in direct conflict with what they know to be in direct conflict with the Bible. That's why the club isn't getting endorsement.. The university won't give money to any pro choice organizations. Remenber the school is a private institution.; Reply to this comment


by thinkharder- May 26, 2009 7:02 AM EDT: Official recognition carries with it the benefit of using the University name and funds. While this group will not be an officially recognized club, it may still meet on campus.
Posted by UniversityMom at 8:00 PM : May 25, 2009

So you've undercut their ability to operate at a level equal to the rest of your campus clubs simply because you do not agree with their stance on a few issues. I'm sorry...you may think this story has been exaggerated, but we in fact got it exactly correct. You can try to sugar coat it all you want, but the bottom line is that you are suppressing dissenting voices...welcome back to the 15 century everyone!; Reply to this comment


by UniversityMom May 25, 2009 11:00 PM EDT: A number of media sources recently reported that Liberty University banned Democrats from meeting on campus. One headline erroneously read: "Democrats at Liberty University forced to meet off campus." Apparently many journalists do not let the facts get in the way of a juicy, agenda-driven story.

The story was spun out of control from the beginning, when Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, called a telephone press conference to talk about the College Democrat club formed by students of Liberty University. The presses began to buzz. Much of what went to print was wrong. Most journalists were interested in scooping their competitors rather than seeking the truth. Even when some reporters learned the facts, they could not bring themselves to correct their stories because the fanciful reports were just too tempting.

The University has not banned Democrats from campus. Nor has the Democrat club been banned from meeting. And, never has the University or its' officials said that a person cannot be a Christian and a Democrat. Sorry for those who want to run with these titillating soundbites, but these are the facts.

The students who formed the Democrat club last October are good students. They are pro-life and believe in traditional marriage. They can continue to meet on campus. The only thing that has changed came about as part of a University-wide review of all student organizations for official recognition status. Official recognition carries with it the benefit of using the University name and funds. While this group will not be an officially recognized club, it may still meet on campus.

Liberty University is the world's largest and fastest growing evangelical university. While many schools have faced budget short falls and declining enrollment, Liberty is debt free and continues to grow at a rapid rate. We now have 11,500 students on campus and nearly 38,000 students online. This fall Liberty University will exceed 50,000 total students.

Parents and students support the University because they believe in its' distinctly Christian identity and mission. Liberty University is pro-life and believes that marriage between one man and one woman provides the best environment for children. Liberty University will not lend its' name or financial support to any student group that advances causes contrary to its mission.

While the students in the college Democrat club are pro-life and support traditional marriage, the constitution of the club pledged support to advance the Democratic platform and candidates. The 2008 Democratic platform has taken an extreme turn to the left on social issues. For the first time it supports federal funding of abortion and repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a law passed overwhelmingly by a bi-partisan Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton. Liberty University will not lend its' name or financial support to undermine marriage or to promote abortion.

While students are free to meet on campus, debate and discuss politics of every stripe, the University will remain true to its' core principles and not lend its' name or fund groups that work to undermine the principles that make Liberty attractive to so many people. Liberty brings many diverse speakers to campus. Last year Senator John McCain's brother spoke to the students along with Virginia Democratic Governor, Tim Kaine. Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke to our students this Spring about how her opposition to same sex marriage put her at odds with her family and her political allies. Ted Kennedy also spoke at Liberty in 1983.

We encourage our students to bring positive change to all political parties, Democrats, Republicans and Independents. We hope our students challenge all political parties to remain true to the core moral values consistent with the Christian mission of the University. To blindly support any candidate solely because of party affiliation irrespective of their moral views is wrong. Liberty would never endorse a Republican student group that supported abortion rights. Liberty stands for certain core values; not for a political party.; Reply to this comment


by mars7578 May 25, 2009 3:28 PM EDT: The Republican Party has failed AMERICA especially the CHRISTAIN CONSERVATIVES who had influnce.I believe MR.BUSH is a devout christain.The problem was that the Christan leaders refused to give him good biblical wisdom when it was obvious he was in error.As a matter of fact ,they still refuse to admit error when history proved they follow lies.They are trying to fool themselves they are ok because the democratic party admits that it is political and not a religious organization.The BIBLE does not try to enfore CHRISTAIN BELIEFS ON NON CHRISTAINS.This is one of the grave deception that satan have them fighting for.These people dont realize that most of the BILBE IS WRITTEN TO CHRISTAINS.The topics in new testament as well as the old are the issues WITHIN THE CHURCH and need our focus.When the CHURCH LEADERS help their members to become OVERCOMERS,they see that this is not their battle and that they must follow the TRUE COMMANDER and wage SPIRITUAL WARFARE which will set the captives free.; Reply to this comment


by imaconsertive May 24, 2009 5:19 PM EDT: Everyone needs to watch the action/inaction of the Commonwealth of Virginia Attorney General over this. He should file paperwork next week to revoke LU's tax exempt status. WE'LL BE WAAAATCHING!; Reply to this comment


by johndevinejr May 24, 2009 3:00 PM EDT: The question that I keep coming back to after reading this article: Why would any democrat attend Liberty University ?
Posted by mrzerato at 8:52 AM : May 24, 2009

A better question to ask is why would ANYONE attend this University?; Reply to this comment