WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned down an appeal from Christian groups in a federal lawsuit that challenged a discrimination policy of the California State University system.
The CSU policy states that officially recognized and sanctioned organizations on campus cannot discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin and sexual orientation.
A Christian fraternity and a sorority at San Diego State University sued in 2005, arguing that the policy violated their religious freedom — the groups are restricted to Christian members.
By refusing to conform to the school’s non-discrimination policy, the groups were ineligible for many privileges such as student funding, posting signs on campus, reserving office and meeting space, using the school name or mascot and promoting themselves on the university website.
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The high court’s decision leaves in place an August decision by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That panel concluded that the policy did not violate religious freedom, free association or equal protection by denying the organizations official recognition as the plaintiffs claimed.
The case is Alpha Delta Chi-Delta Chapter v. Reed, 11-744.