Liberty University’s College Democrats club was still working Friday on its response to Chancellor Jerry Falwell’s demand for a retraction and apology for statements club representatives made to news media last week after the university revoked its recognition of the club.
Jan Dervish, the club secretary, said the statement probably would be sent to Falwell on Monday.
Other club members and the club’s staff adviser, Maria Childress, were collaborating on the statement.
Childress said Friday she was waiting for a response from Mark Hine, LU’s vice president of student affairs, on a question she had sent to him.
Childress and several students from the club met on Wednesday with Falwell and other Liberty administrators. After the meeting she said the club should have a written response ready in 48 hours.
Falwell said several national media outlets reported incorrectly that the club had been banned. College Democrats can continue to exist and meet on campus without official recognition, Falwell said.
LU said in a news release this week that statements by Childress to the media did not explain the university’s decision to halt its endorsement of the College Democrats club “in enough context for the media to report accurately on the action taken by LU officials.”
A key issue Falwell is demanding an apology for was a statement Childress made concerning an e-mail from Hine.
Childress told at least one reporter she interpreted the e-mail as saying “you can’t be a Christian and a Democrat.”
Hine denied saying that, but Childress’ comment led to his being ridiculed “in the national press for a statement he did not make, and in fact refuted when the staff sponsor suggested it,” Falwell said.
During a meeting with Falwell and Hine on Thursday, Childress did not challenge Hine’s recollection of voicing that denial to her, Falwell said.
“I’m optimistic that if the university can work directly with the students that a compromise can be reached,” Falwell said.
“The students are very open and they’re very anxious to reach some sort of agreement because they’re well-meaning, they’re good Christian kids and they want to do what’s best for Liberty University and at the same time support issues that they believe in.”
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