Written by Don Byrd
In a bill quickly passed at the end of the session, the Tennessee legislature lashed out at Vanderbilt University’s non-discrimination policy which requires all student organizations to admit any student regardless of religious belief. Critics say the school’s policy restricts the freedom of religious groups on campus from selecting leadership and membership criteria integral to their faith. But is this the proper role of government, to get involved in a private university’s rules?
SB 3597 originally barred only the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Board of Regents systems from adopting all-comers, but its sponsor, Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, amended the measure on the Senate floor to include any university that receives at least $24 million in state funding — a description unique to Vanderbilt.
The sum refers to compensation Vanderbilt University Medical Center receives for providing care free of charge.
Whether or not Vanderbilt’s policy is wise – and I tend to think it’s probably not – the school is not a public institution (though the Supreme Court recently ruled such all-comers policies constitutional in even a public institution.) Legislation targeting a particular private entity seems at least as questionable as the problem they are trying to address. Here’s hoping all parties come to their collective senses.
