Gonzaga Denies Knights of Columbus Student Group Because it’s Catholic

[JM3]

cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ArticleID/2117/Gonzaga-Denies-Knights-of-Columbus-Student-Group-Because-it%e2%80%99s-Catholic.aspx

“The Knights of Columbus, by their very nature, is a men’s organization in which only Catholics may participate via membership,” says a letter obtained by The Cardinal Newman Society written by Sue Weitz, Vice President for Student Life. “These criteria are inconsistent with the policy and practice of student organization recognition at Gonzaga University, as well as the University’s commitment to non-discrimination based on certain characteristics, one of which is religion.”

 

[PaulfromIowa]

More shocking evidence of how far formerly Catholic colleges have strayed. Where has the Bishop of Spokane been? Where have the alumni been?

 

[KCT]

Catholics intolerant of Catholics… what’s next?

 

[RACJ]

Simply rename yourselves “Mullahs of Columbus”, guys, and you’ll be accepted. Rob

 

[gam197]

It is a decision about social justice, equity, and the desire of the University to create and maintain an environment in which none are excluded.”

My favorite line from their rejection letter - social justice - equity - none exluded

 

[MikkiD]

There is a long line of St. Al’s Knights in both my and my husband’s family are probably scratching their heads in heaven at this news.

 

[dixieagle]

This is simply absurd.

 

[CJECulver]

Nex up: Banning the Boy Scouts because they only accept boys.

“It is a decision about social justice, equity…

So it’s an investment decision?

I notice there’s a student association for Men’s Basketball, but nothing for women b-ballers. There’s also a registered student group called The Society of Women Engineers. I couldn’t determine whether membership was open only to women, but being female was a requirement for freshman scholarships.

And the University makes a big deal out of its Jesuit origins and the ongoing participation of the Society of Jesus in the University. Perhaps they weren’t aware that Jesuits only accept male Catholics. And they offer Mass on campus? Aren’t non-Catholics forbidden from receiving communion?

And then there’s this:

HERO (Helping Educate Regarding Orientaion) is Gonzaga University’s Gay-Straight Alliance. HERO is a student club designed to be a welcoming enviroment for all members and friends of the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Ally community)

I see they don’t accept metro-sexuals. Ban 'em! (And what-the-h is “intersex”? When I was a kid there were only two sexes. Now it’s just so hard to keep up.)

 

[garn9173]

smh, a new level of absurdity.

 

[Francoist]

My favorite line from their rejection letter - social justice - equity - none exluded

Except Papists! As usual.

 

[Digitonomy]

(And what-the-h is “intersex”? When I was a kid there were only two sexes. Now it’s just so hard to keep up.)

When you were a kid you only knew about two sexes. There have always been intersex individuals. We even had one as a member on CAF for about 5 years.

 

[Digitonomy]

I suspect that the headline is erroneous, in that the Knights were not excluded because they were Catholic, but because they excluded non-Catholics. A simple check of the registered clubs and organizations at Gonzaga would prove this point, if there were other Catholic organizations.

However, Gonzaga is apparently keeping its list of student organizations a secret from non-students, so it’s just a theory.

 

[CJECulver]

When you were a kid you only knew about two sexes. There have always been intersex individuals. We even had one as a member on CAF for about 5 years.

Thanks for the link. However, “intersex” is not a distinct sex, it’s simply a hybrid of the two we already have. I still stand by my original assertion: there are only two sexes.

 

[CJECulver]

I suspect that the headline is erroneous, in that the Knights were not excluded because they were Catholic

Correct. Not because the Knights are Catholic, but because they’re exclusively Catholic.

Gonzaga is apparently keeping its list of student organizations a secret from non-students, so it’s just a theory.

You missed a step. Go back to the link you provided and click on the “Clubs & Organizations” tab just below the Gonzaga University logo. Here’s the direct link:

Ganzaga University list of student groups and organizations.

I browsed through last night and didn’t find much incriminating. There’s are groups for men’s basketball and men’s ultimate frisbee which don’t have equivalent female groups. And there’s the Society of Women Engineers whose membership requirements I was unable to determine, though their freshman scholarship program was open only to females.

f there were other Catholic organizations

There are other Catholic groups, such as the Knights (not of Columbus) and Setons, but they’re open to membership from non-Catholics.

However, the Jesuits – whose participation in Gonzaga the University seems pretty proud of – are, last I checked, exclusive (only male Catholics need apply). And isn’t Mass itself exclusive of non-Catholics? Shouldn’t they be banning the Eucharist?

Other than that, the policy seems pretty evenly applied. Even groups such as the Black student union and the Hawaiian student group explicitly state they’re open membership.

However, if having a female equivalent covers the sex inclusivity requirement (e.g., separate but equal sports groups), why not have the KoC sponsor a separate group for non-Catholics?

 

[curlycool89]

This doesn’t surprise me.

Most universities have a policy for official student groups that they have to (at least nominally) be open to all peoples. I was part of our Catholic student groups on campus and that our policy had to be that we accepted all peoples (although we only had Catholics, unsurprisingly enough). The Knights won’t ever fulfill this because they are exclusive to male Catholics.

This is because student groups are often given grants and access (to things like lecture theatres or meeting rooms, etc) and if they’re going to give away such privileges that are being paid for by all students (through student fees) then they need to be able to use them.

At my university we have a Knights College Council (it’s my council actually), but it is not a registered student group. Instead it’s affiliated with (and supported by and supports) our Catholic-affiliated college.

 

[migueltojose]

This doesn’t surprise me.

Most universities have a policy for official student groups that they have to (at least nominally) be open to all peoples. I was part of our Catholic student groups on campus and that our policy had to be that we accepted all peoples (although we only had Catholics, unsurprisingly enough). The Knights won’t ever fulfill this because they are exclusive to male Catholics.

This is because student groups are often given grants and access (to things like lecture theatres or meeting rooms, etc) and if they’re going to give away such privileges that are being paid for by all students (through student fees) then they need to be able to use them.

At my university we have a Knights College Council (it’s my council actually), but it is not a registered student group. Instead it’s affiliated with (and supported by and supports) our Catholic-affiliated college.

While I don’t necessarily like the decision… Gonzaga is pretty well known as one of the many liberal Catholic Universities (you won’t find them high on the Newman Center list of credible Catholic Universities)… at the same time… there is a Parish that co-exists with Gonzaga University and I’m pretty sure they have a Knights of Columbus there or somewhere in Spokane… so… I would think there is an outlet or even a reasonable resolution. Anyone at Gonzaga interested in the Knights can join via the local Parish… and… the local Parish can certainly “recruit” the students in perfectly legal ways.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Gonzaga U president to review KoC decision

Gonzaga University has released a statement in response to inquiries about the Office of Student Life’s decision to deny the campus Knights of Columbus group recognition as a student club:

Gonzaga University’s Student Life division recently issued a decision that it could not recognize a proposed Knights of Columbus student club under its current club recognition process. The University is concerned that all of the factors involved in this decision have not been represented in their entirety, and thus may be misunderstood.

Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh states that Gonzaga honors and respects the purpose and good works of the Knights of Columbus, with which it has a long tradition and mutual collaboration at both local and state levels. The Knights of Columbus College Council (#12583) is already present within the student body and receives support from the administration. Gonzaga University’s core Catholic and Jesuit identity recognizes, encourages and supports many student organizations that advance faith-related issues (for example, Gonzaga Right to Life, and the Blessed John Paul II Fellowship).

President McCulloh has received a request from the sponsoring student to review the decision regarding the recognition of the organization as a student club, and has decided to undertake this review. The review is expected to take 30-45 days.

 

[RACJ]

I suspect that the headline is erroneous, in that the Knights were not excluded because they were Catholic, but because they excluded non-Catholics. A simple check of the registered clubs and organizations at Gonzaga would prove this point, if there were other Catholic organizations.

However, Gonzaga is apparently keeping its list of student organizations a secret from non-students, so it’s just a theory.

Both, I think. Obviously, the professed Catholics running Gonzaga are ashamed of their faith. I am a committed Christian, but not a Catholic. Why would I desire to prevent like-minded Catholics from forming an organization which excluded me? I wouldn’t, but then I respect others’ freedom to assemble, a quaint concept. Rob

 

[Digitonomy]

Both, I think.

Thanks to CJECulver, we can see that for instance the John Paul II Fellowship is a student group. So it doesn’t seem likely that the KofC were rejected because they were Catholic, but instead because they excluded non-Catholics.

Whether that’s a good criteria to have in place is another question. I think it’s a reasonable policy if one goal is to recruit and be welcoming to non-Catholic students, but I think a different policy could be reasonable as well.

 

[oldcelt]

Both, I think. Obviously, the professed Catholics running Gonzaga are ashamed of their faith. I am a committed Christian, but not a Catholic. Why would I desire to prevent like-minded Catholics from forming an organization which excluded me? I wouldn’t, but then I respect others’ freedom to assemble, a quaint concept. Rob

I tend to agree with your point. I personally cannot understand why anyone would want to join a group with which they have little or nothing in common. On the other hand, allowing non-whatevers to join could be one heck of a recruitment tool. If your message is powerful, some may be persuaded.