Liberty University Shuts Down Campus Democratic Party Club

Washington Post ^ | May 22 | Anita Kumar

[Hawk720]

Liberty University will no longer recognize its campus Democratic Party club because its parent organization stands against the conservative Christian school's moral principles.

The club, which has about 30 members, will no longer be able to use Liberty's name, hold on-campus meetings or be eligible for student activities money.

"I think it does the university a great disservice to stifle one side of the discussion simply because we are Democrats,'' said Maria Childress, the club's adviser and an administrative assistant at the school.

Brian Diaz, president of Liberty's Democratic club said he was informed of the school's decision in a May 15 e-mail.

"The candidates supported are directly contrary to the mission of Liberty University," the e-mail said.

Liberty has had a College Republicans club for several years. The Democratic club formed in October and worked aggressively to elect President Obama.

"They . . . let the Liberty University College Republicans stay on campus but they don't let us,'' said Diaz, 18, who will be a sophomore next year. "Sounds like censorship to me."

[DonaldC]

“This is wrong, but it’s a private university so they can probably get away with this. Still, it is not conducive to free speech I would think.”

What’s wrong with this. We have the right to freely associate and if you don’t like what is under one tent, go find one you do like. It’s not important that we lie about what we think just to fit under one big tent, in fact it is very destructive...imho.

[Arguendo]

What does that have to do with this? He didn’t say anything about the First Amendment.

[Joann37]

I’m disappointed to hear that Liberty even allowed a democrat club to begin with.

Why would a private, Bible-based college have to “tolerate” the views of any group that stands against everything the Christian faith holds dear?

[Hawk720]

They probably can get away with it, but they’d be better off doing what BYU-Idaho did recently: ban both Campus Republicans and Campus Democrats to avoid the whole thing.

Terry McAuliffe is already involved, and this will likely blow up into some big thing.

And I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bunch of liberal private colleges banning their Campus Republicans in retaliation.

[MrB]

This is kind of like a Christian university banning a club that promotes Satanic values...

wait...

not “kind of like” at all. That’s exactly what this is.

[ZULU]

Obama and Liberty. Guess they don’t go well together.

The Leader doesn’t need freedom for the serfs.

[DonaldC]

“And I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bunch of liberal private colleges banning their Campus Republicans in retaliation.”

And that’s ok. ‘Bout time we see where people/organizations stand.

[domenad]

On a college campus, ideas need to be open and exchanged, period. I’ve seen the way speech has been shut down at liberal universities. The only way to preserve free speech is to fight for it regardless of content.

[nathanbedford]

Why would someone attend a school of philosophically disagrees with? Because universities are places of education not indoctrination or confirmation. I would happily send my kids to Harvard even though I would be gritting my teeth knowing what they would be exposed to.

No one is claiming that the college does not have the "right" to deny freedom of association to its students, the claim is that it is unwise. If a bunch of religionists want to form an academy for indoctrination of the faith, let it be known as such. If they intend a college, a place for the give-and-take of philosophical exploration, then they are in line with nearly 1000 years of academic freedom. One that the Democrats and the leftists systematically deny on virtually every other American campus. Their academic crimes are no justification for this college to abandon its traditional responsibilities in education. In fact, this school should stand in contrast as a beacon for true academic freedom.

Unless, of course, it wants to change its name from "liberty" to "conformity."

[porter_knorr]

20 odd years ago when I attended there, the rules were spelled out in “The Liberty Way” the school handbook.

I will be honest and say, Liberty was not even on my radar when I finished high school, but I wasn’t able to afford my first choice, and was able to pay in full when I got to LU.

I applied the end of July and was on my way to Virginia August 18th, reading the handbook on the flight. Telling my mom “really??? Wow, that’s even stricter than you guys.”

They had a fabulous Poli Sci program. I didn’t stay the full four years, but I’m so glad I went the two years I did.

All that to say, LU is absolutely within it’s rights to not have the democrats represented on campus. They aren’t saying the students can’t participate, just not on campus.

[Sig Sauer P220]

Maybe they should find a school more inline with their thinking. Like Berkeley,,,,,,,,,,or Notre Dame.

[Spok]

Civil discourse and the free exchange of ideas has been throttled by the left, through campaigns of hate and intimidation. A like-kind response is not only reasonable but necessary. Only idiots and hypocrites talk about censorship as if it hasn’t become commonplace and openly practiced.

[gitmogrunt]

Aww shucks......They coulda been a strong voice to fiercely condemn the moral vacuousness of elected Democrats.

[DonaldC]

“On a college campus, ideas need to be open and exchanged, period.”

I’m not so sure that is not one of the primary problems with modern education, but that is probably a discussion for another thread. :)

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. That’s the real kicker here. You won’t see the major papers addressing that either.

[Melas]

Ah don’t hold back. I for one would like to hear your ideas on the subject.

[PJBankard]

“And I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bunch of liberal private colleges banning their Campus Republicans in retaliation.”

I don’t see that happening. Most(not all) private colleges are Conservative in nature and religious based. The few that aren’t won’t remove those clubs for fear of losing a large amount in donations. Even with just the Obama Speach, Notre Dame has lost millions of dollars from donors who are displeased with what the college has done. I seriously doubt the private “liberal” univerisities who draw in the big donations will risk that loss. And those that aren’t private(state ran) will never remove those programs. This is sorta of a win win situation for the Conservative Base in Universities/Colleges.

[gigster]

The reason I think it is pertinent is that this kid thinks they are being “censored”.
They think they can say, or take any action they want- even to the detriment of their host- and not suffer any consequenses.
I think the fact that their goals, as Democrats, are inimical to the goals of Liberty U.
When I wrote “Congress shall make no law...”, I meant that Liberty U. is a private organization and can make rules as it suits them.
To stretch my point, it is for the same reason that we don’t want “Gitmo-guests” freed on U.S. soil.

[EternalVigilance]

To be consistent, they should look deeply into the beliefs and policies of many of the Republican candidates as well. The disconnect with their stated principles is rampant in the GOP as well.

[MrB]

You have to suspect that 0bama people assured ND that they’d make up for the lost donations...