Santa Clara University: Student Government Association鈥檚 Denial of Recognition to Young Americans for Freedom Chapter
Cases
Santa Clara University
Case Overview
A group of Santa Clara University students sought recognition for the SCU chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, an organization dedicated to advancing conservative principles. After SCU鈥檚 Student Government Association denied the club recognition, citing its 鈥渋deology鈥 and the existence of other conservative clubs, FIREwrote to SCU on May 17, 2019, explaining that denying recognition to YAF based on the group鈥檚 views was contrary to SCU鈥檚 stated commitments to free expression.
After the student government again voted to deny YAF recognition on May 24, SCU鈥檚 administration declined to grant recognition, claiming that the record does not 鈥渆stablish that the denial of recognition was based on YAFs political opinion.鈥 FIREsent a second letter to SCU on June 27 disputing this rationale, as a majority of the student government members explicitly raised YAF鈥檚 viewpoints. On September 28, after a settlement meeting with YAF鈥檚 general counsel, SCU鈥檚 administration granted recognition to the group.