NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Some Vanderbilt University religious groups will have to change their policies or risk being shut down.
The university told Nashville's News 2 a number of groups are in violation of the school's nondiscrimination policy.
In a statement, Vanderbilt University said, "Last academic year, an undergraduate made an allegation of discrimination against a student organization. As a result of that allegation, we sought to ensure that the more than 300 student organizations were aware of their need to comply with the university's longstanding nondiscrimination policy."
Stephen Siao is the president of the college Republicans.
"The policy that they've asked the groups that are in question to change now is basically delete from their constitution any regulation that says you have to profess a certain faith or lead a bible study to be a leader in the group."
Siao also said he believes Vanderbilt is using the nondiscrimination policy to specifically target religious and conservative groups.
"I think what they're trying to do is be a national leader on a progressive issue to get Vanderbilt's name out there and show it's not the school it used to be," said Siao, "But I think it's going to harm our community and the Christian faith."
Siao also stated, "There are many devoted Christians on campus. They should have the right to govern their own clubs and assemble."
In Vanderbilt University's statement, they also said, "A dozen or so, including five religious organizations, are not yet in compliance. We made the decision to give the organizations not yet in compliance provisional status, allowing us to continue to work with them to achieve compliance while allowing them to continue to have the same full access to the Vanderbilt campus as they have had in the past."
"It's an assault they're launching on Christian groups and groups on the right," Siao told Nashville's News 2, "They're chipping away a little at a time to really secularize this campus."
Vanderbilt University said the nondiscrimination policy applies to all student groups, regardless if they're religious in nature, and has been a campus-wide policy for years.
The University also told Nashville's News 2 the groups will remain on provisional status until the issue is resolved.
Stephen Siao is the president of the college Republicans.
