University Bans Club for Democrats

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 23, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Liberty University has banned its fledgling College Democrats club, saying the group stands against the conservative Christian institution’s principles.

The president of the club, Brian Diaz, said he was notified by an e-mail message that the group was being banned by Liberty, a private university in Lynchburg, Va., that was founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Liberty’s vice president for student affairs, Mark Hine, wrote in the message to Mr. Diaz that the Democratic Party violated the university’s principles because, he said, it supports abortion, socialism and the agenda of gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The university’s chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., called the club’s recognition by the institution “an oversight by an administrator” who did not thoroughly consult university policy.