Officials at Saddleback College, a community college in Orange County, California, have agreed to abandon their practice of including prayer in numerous campus events like the school's scholarship ceremonies and chancellor's opening sessions. Plaintiffs including both students and faculty members previously sued the school, challenging the prayers and prayer policy as a violation of their First Amendment rights. This agreement ends that lawsuit.
The settlement follows a ruling a federal judge issued in February that in general, the school’s prayers and invocations did not violate students’, faculty’s, or staff members’ First Amendment rights to be free from a government-established religion.
Judge R. Gary Klausner did find that in two instances at Saddleback College, college officials did cross the line. However, because of their “one-time nature,” along with policy changes the Board of Trustees has since made, there is no legal remedy warranted.
As a part of the settlement, the county's college district will pay legal fees. The school will be allowed to include a non-sectarian prayer or moment of silence during commencement ceremonies. You can view the agreement (via Religion Clause) here.
