Campus Ministry Lawsuit

Virginia State University Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Updated Campus Ministries Policy

Virginia State University (VSU) is facing a federal lawsuit from two Christian student organizations alleging that the school stripped them of their official campus status and placed them under the direct authority of a university-appointed minister. The lawsuit challenges VSU's updated Campus Ministries Policy, which plaintiffs argue violates the First Amendment by forcing Christian student groups under university control while exempting exemptions to non-Christian religious groups. The policy requires all Christian student-led ministries to operate under the “governance and influence” of VSU Campus Minister Thomas Wynn and advisory board made up of faculty and university personnel. Non-Christian and Muslim student organizations remain exempt from the mandate. The student organizations are seeking a court order restoring their status as fully recognized registered student organizations (RSOs).

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