Students Protest Charter Decision

By allowing the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship to keep its charter unchanged, Chancellor James Moeser avoided complaints that the First Amendment rights of religious organizations were being infringed on campus.

Now a letter-writing campaign prompted by members of the Queer Network for Change raises charges of discrimination by InterVarsity and criticism of Moeser's support for the group.

Late last year, InterVarsity was one of 17 campus organizations in danger of not being recognized by the University because of possible discriminatory clauses found in their charters. UNC officials were conducting a campuswide review of all student groups' charters and notified organizations if they were in violation of the University's discrimination policy.

InterVarsity was cited for such a violation because it requires that the group's officers abide by Christian doctrine.

But after a string of media reports and criticism from a national civil liberties group that threatened to sue UNC, Moeser issued a statement deciding not to pursue penalties against InterVarsity.

But when asked about the letter-writing campaign Monday, Moeser declined to comment further. "My statement speaks for itself," he said.

Senior Jon Harper, co-chairman of QNC, claims InterVarsity's policy is discriminatory. He sent an e-mail this weekend calling upon members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community to write letters to Moeser denouncing his decision to allow InterVarsity to continue its practices.

"Exempting one group from the policy undermines the purpose of the policy," he said. "I think the students should be really upset about this."

Junior Trevor Hoppe, a member of the QNC, said he thinks the decision allows discrimination in one group and could have negative consequences in the future.

"It seems to me if you let one group make an exemption, how are you going to enforce the rules in the future?" he said.

Harper said that he is finding strong support for his campaign among the LGBTQ community but that there also has been dissent.

"There is mostly support," he said. "Actually, a lot of alumni have written in and said they will stop sending money."

Harper and Hoppe are pursuing the fight to ensure that organizations admit anyone interested in membership.

InterVarsity leaders say the group does not discriminate against non-practicing homosexuals. In fact, some non-practicing homosexuals are members of the fellowship, said Scott Vermillion, all campus director for InterVarsity.

"There are homosexuals in our group but none who are pursuing a homosexual lifestyle," he said.

While membership is not an issue for InterVarsity, leadership is another story.

Vermillion said active homosexuals most likely would not be allowed to take roles of leadership in the fellowship.

Some members of the QNC said they are offended by this policy and by Moeser's failure to address it.

"He is trying to shove it under the carpet as quickly as he can," Harper said.

But Vermillion disagrees and said he thinks that if the letter-writing campaign is successful in changing the policy, it will be bad for everybody.

"I think that it is ultimately not just bad for our organization but for every organization," he said. "You are basically setting up a policy of might makes right."

The other 16 student organizations cited by the University have until Jan. 31 to revise their charters.

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.