A Settlement Agreement (full text) has been reached in Ratio Christi at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs v. Sharkey, according to a press release today from ADF. The Christian group, Ratio Christi sued last year in a Colorado federal district court challenging the University of Colorado’s denial to it of registered status. The University objected to the group’s policies requiring its officers to personally hold Christian beliefs, and requiring prospective members to agree with and promote the organization’s purposes. (See prior posting.) Under the Settlement Agreement, the University will change its non-discrimination policy to provide:
All student clubs are permitted to require their leadership to promote the purposes of the club, to ascribe to sincerely held beliefs of the club, and/or to act in accordance with club standards.
However student clubs will not be permitted to limit membership on the basis of “race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, political affiliation or philosophy, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status.” Ratio Christi will change its constitution to provide:
Students are not required to profess faith in, endorse, or adopt any religious beliefs to become members of the Chapter or participate in its activities. Any efforts to undermine or subvert the purposes enumerated in Article II will be addressed by the Chapter Officers in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and/or Chapter Director.
The University will also make a settlement payment to Ratio Christi of $20,574.