BRIEF: Knights of Columbus student group application denied by Gonzaga

According to the Cardinal Newman Society Gonzaga University has denied a Knights of Columbus group application to be recognized as an official student organization.

Students were informed of the decision in March when given a letter that read:

“The Knights of Columbus, by their very nature, is a men’s organization in which only Catholics may participate via membership … 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.”

The Cardinal Newman Society reports that the students group is seeking alternatives, including whether it should form a council independent of the university or practice at other universities instead.

Many students, alumni and Gonzaga supporters have lashed out on Facebook at the university over its decision.

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About Tracy Simmons

Tracy Simmons is an award winning journalist specializing in religion reporting, digital entrepreneurship and social journalism. In her 15 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti.
Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas and Connecticut. Currently she serves as the executive director of SpokaneFAVS.com, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Wash. She is also a Scholarly Assistant Professor at Washington State University.

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