Virginia State University sued over Christian ministry policy

Virginia State University (VSU) is facing a federal lawsuit filed by two Christian student organizations, Women of Victory and Bethel Campus Fellowship. The plaintiffs allege that the university’s updated Campus Ministries Policy violates the First Amendment by stripping Christian groups of their official campus status and placing them under the direct authority of a university-appointed minister.

Under the new policy, all Christian student-led ministries must operate under the ‘governance and influence’ of VSU Campus Minister Thomas Wynn and an advisory board composed of faculty and university personnel. The policy also prohibits these student ministries from affiliating with their national parent organizations.

Attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) argue that the policy unconstitutionally penalizes Christian students and provides exemptions to non-Christian religious groups. Tyson Langhofer, Senior Counsel at ADF, stated that the policy treats religious groups unequally and fails to promote intellectual diversity on campus.