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Liberty University’s College Democrats club is drafting a new constitution in efforts to regain official status with the school, but as of Monday hadn’t decided whether to apologize for statements made to news media after the university revoked its recognition of the club.
“We’re trying to stay very cordial, very respectful, and hopefully we’ll come to a resolution just as soon as we can,” said club secretary Jan Dervish on Monday evening.
Last month, LU withdrew its recognition of the club because it supported the Democratic Party’s pro-choice platform and candidates.
Dervish said the club now is considering no longer endorsing political candidates and would “encourage our Republican counterparts to do the same.”
The club also is discussing whether to accept funding from Liberty in the future.
“Maybe that would be helpful to donors and parents (if the club did not accept those funds),” Dervish said.
He said he had sent a draft constitution to Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. on Sunday “asking for some feedback,” but that he had not heard back.
Liberty released a statement Monday afternoon which said, “We have received a proposal and we will respond as soon as the sponsor retracts some of the public statements that have been made.”
Last week, Falwell said he expected the club to retract and apologize publicly for statements that accused an LU official of saying that Democrats couldn’t be Christians, and that the school told club members they couldn’t hold meetings.
Club sponsor Maria Childress last week told at least one reporter that she interpreted an e-mail from Mark Hine, LU’s vice president of student affairs, as saying “you can’t be a Christian and a Democrat.”
Hine denied saying that.
Dervish said Monday the club had not decided how to address that disagreement.
“We’re still looking at exactly what was said, where it was said, who it was said to, and when it was said so we can decide,” he said.
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Reader Reactions
piqued my curiosity when there was nary a peep locally when there is such a glaring local connection
seems a busload of lawyers would have fought had everyone not known at the time of the dangers of fifteen passenger vans
though it looks like they’re still in use
embarrasing, yes, but by the looks of him, it seems young master gurney had gone quite a bit around the bend after getting that settlement.
Evil walks among us everywhere, unfortunatly for the poor girl.
In my experience, many youngsters raised in a tight box of rules, tend to spring out like a jack in the box when released from those rules.
They either think that now they are out of the religion, they might as well be as despicable as they wish, because god is going to get them anyway.
Or, they think that those of us “in the world” deserve to have terrible things done to us, as we are all evil anyway.
google for details but it appears that there might be more interest in out of court settlements and what exactly some other not so typical student might do to who knows whose daughter or son
former student lacrosse player fifteen passenger van
free, who? did i miss something?
while the focus is on this it is off the chad gurney situation
LU Democrats do not give in or apologize. Democrats have been doing this for too long.
Democrat’s try to be partisan and compromise and end up getting the shaft. Stick up for your rights. Besides, so you meet in a cafertia. The openness may just be a good thing and bring Republican’s into your club.
When every one has a say it is a new ballgame.
The longer the LU College Dems drag this out, the more of a problem it is for Jerry Jr. Off K Street has an interesting commentary about the situtation:
http://offkstreet.blogspot.com/2009/06/splitting-hairs-parsing-words-liberty.html
Not only does LU have some questions to answer regarding their overt partisan activity, SCHEV should look at Liberty University’s eligibility for the Virginia TAG (Tuition Assistance Grant) that goes to in-state student who attend private colleges and universities.
There is no way you can attend this institution and be a democrat. What this school represents is in opposition to democratic ideals and the traditions of this country. This is just a nonsensical situation concerning a fake democratic club at a fake university. Leave them alone as they try to march back to the middle ages where what they preach makes sense and seems to apply.
How is it that there were no restrictions on endorsement when the club was started and now some restraints are needed? Also, if the club unilaterally reliquishes endorsements it’s neutered, there’s no IRS pressure, and the Republican club can do as it pleases. Keep the endorsements!
You all gave the university a week to clarify that policy and they were unable to do that. If Hine couldn’t get it straight in the meeting, that’s Hine’s problem. They forced you to resort to the media and you handled it in a moderately disciplined way.
Probably the most important capacity you gain by being “recognized” is the ability to bring speakers on campus. But if you can’t support your candidate how are you going to get approved someone who does?
Maybe you should lie low until the IRS makes it’s determination. Would there be any contraints on endorsements in upcoming elections then?
As a Democrat I don’t think Liberty University should be permitted to have a Democratic Club.
Let them join the Lynchburg Democrats if they wish, but connecting anything serious to that Bible School is a mistake.
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