Students at Calif. university launch petition against tolerance mandate

The College Republicans chapter at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo introduced a petition this month protesting a school policy which forces all campus groups to open membership to all students on the grounds that it interferes with the First Amendment.

"We further believe, as argued by FIRE, that university or system regulations on antidiscrimination (sic) cannot trump the protections of the First Amendment," the petition states. 

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The university policy at issue is California State University Executive Order 1068, passed in 2011, which mandates that all campus groups — including fraternities and sororities — "on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation or disability."

It does clarify that fraternities and sororities, as well as "other university living groups" are permitted to admit only one gender.

The Christian fraternity Alpha Gamma Omega lost its affiliation last spring because, even though it allowed non-Christan members, it required a statement of faith from all executive board members. The loss of affiliation means the group is not allowed to use campus buildings.

The College Republicans' petition deem this violates "First Amendment protections for free speech and free association — not to mention decency and common sense."

"Cal Poly organizations, if we so desire, [should be able] to use the mission and principles of our groups to determine membership or at the very least select leaders," it states.

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H/T The College Fix