University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire: Ban on RAs’ Leading Bible Studies

The University of Wisconsin's (UW) Board of Regents voted to uphold religious liberty on campus under its jurisdiction by permitting resident assistants (RAs) to hold Bible study groups in their dormitory rooms. Six months before FIRE advocated on the RAs' behalf, a residential life official from UW Eau-Claire sent Christian RAs a letter notifying them that residential life officials were not permitted to host Bible, Torah, or Koran study sessions in their dorm rooms because their religious beliefs may make them less "approachable" to students who did not hold the same views. FIRE first wrote to Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson stating that the ban was unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. FIRE then took the case public, wrote additional letters to the UW System President and the Wisconsin Attorney General, and connected an RA with the Alliance Defense Fund who filed suit. After six months of pressure, the UW Board of Regents reversed the policy.

Case Materials

• "Religious Liberty Vindicated Across University of Wisconsin System," March 14, 2006: On Friday afternoon, the University of Wisconsin’s Board of Regents voted to protect religious liberty and freedom of expression on every University of Wisconsin campus. After six months of public pressure from FIRE, the Regents finally approved a policy that allows resident assistants to lead Bible studies or any other meetings in their own dorm rooms.
• "University of Wisconsin Poised to Repeal ‘Bible Study Ban’," March 1, 2006: The University of Wisconsin System is poised to restore the First Amendment rights of its student resident assistants. UW campuses at Madison and Eau Claire currently have policies banning RAs from leading Bible studies in their dormitories, but a newly proposed policy would repeal them. This move comes after months of pressure from FIRE.
• "Letter from 10 Wisconsin State Legislators to University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly, February 7, 2006," February 7, 2006
• "Lecture to Address Student Rights at UWEC and Beyond," January 25, 2006
• "E-mail from MOSAIC Student Group to UWEC Faculty Regarding ‘Vagina Warriors’," January 23, 2006
• "UWEC ‘Vagina Warrior’ Nomination Form," January 23, 2006
• "University of Wisconsin Committee Misfires on RA Bible Study Ban," January 16, 2006: The University of Wisconsin (UW) has missed yet another opportunity to demonstrate that it respects its resident assistants’ basic rights. A UW System committee recommended late last week that two UW campuses be allowed to maintain policies banning RAs from leading Bible studies on their own time and in their own dormitories. UW has faced months of intense public scrutiny since FIRE brought the unconstitutional ban to light.
• "FIRE Advises University of Wisconsin on RA Bible Study Policy," January 9, 2006: On Friday, January 6, FIRE wrote to University of Wisconsin System President Kevin P. Reilly, who requested that interested parties weigh in on the development of a system-wide policy to determine whether RAs may lead Bible studies in their own dormitories. FIRE’s letter to Reilly pointed out that the UW System not only can but must allow RAs to lead voluntary gatherings of fellow students for the purpose of studying the Bible. FIRE also pointed out that some RA activities, such as private religious practice, are outside the power of the state to regulate. Stay tuned for further developments.
• "FIRE Letter to University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly, January 6, 2006," January 6, 2006
• "University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Sued Over RA Bible Study Ban, Suspends Ban," December 1, 2005: The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has “suspended” its ban on resident assistants’ (RAs’) leading unofficial Bible studies in their own dormitories after a Christian RA filed a federal lawsuit challenging the policy late yesterday. The lawsuit and policy suspension follow weeks of intense public pressure on the university since FIRE publicly exposed its unjust and unconstitutional policy.
• "Legal Complaint of Lance Steiger Against University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, November 30, 2005," November 30, 2005
• "University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire E-mail Suspending RA Bible Study Ban," November 30, 2005
• "Letter from Wisconsin Deputy Attorney General Daniel P. Bach to University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly, November 21, 2005," November 21, 2005
• "FIRE Makes Sure Wisconsin Attorney General Knows All the Facts," November 18, 2005: Today, FIRE President David French wrote to Wisconsin Attorney General Peggy A. Lautenschlager, whom University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly has asked to review the constitutionality of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire’s ban on RAs’ leading Bible studies in their dormitories. Unfortunately, Reilly’s letter to the attorney general left out important details about the situation.
• "FIRE Letter to Wisconsin Attorney General Peggy A. Lautenschlager, November 18, 2005," November 18, 2005
• "Memorandum from UWEC’s Executive Director of University Communications Mike Rindo to Reporters, November 15, 2005," November 15, 2005
• "Bible Study Ban Broadens at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire," November 14, 2005: Under nationwide pressure over its ban on private, resident assistant-led Bible studies, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (UWEC) has widened its assault on basic civil liberties while engaging in a campaign of deception.  UWEC has told FIRE that RAs are now and have been prohibited from “leading, organizing or recruiting students” for any organization or activity in their dorms—an assertion flatly contradicted by the evidence.
• "Letter from University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly to Wisconsin Attorney General Peggy A. Lautenschlager, November 14, 2005," November 14, 2005
• "University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire RA Letter and Job Description," November 9, 2005
• "Letter from University of Wisconsin System General Counsel Patricia Brady to FIRE, November 8, 2005," November 8, 2005
• "Bible Studies Are Endangered Species at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire," November 2, 2005: In a shameful attack on freedom of religion, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has banned RAs from leading Bible studies in their own dormitories. The university claims the ban is necessary because some students might not feel RAs who lead Bible studies are “approachable.”
• "University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Spectator Article Describing Vagina Monologues as RA Event, April 29, 2004," November 2, 2005
• "UWEC’s Bid for the GLACURH Commitment to Diversity Award, 2005," November 2, 2005
• "UWEC’s Proposal to Host the GLACURH Conference in 2006," November 1, 2005
• "FIRE Letter to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson, October 10, 2005," October 10, 2005
• "E-mail from Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life Deborah Newman to Lance Steiger, September 22, 2005," September 22, 2005
• "Letter from Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life Deborah Newman to Bible Study-Leading RAs, July 26, 2005," July 26, 2005

Blog Entries

• "This Month in FIRE History: Religious Liberty Vindicated Across University of Wisconsin System," by Claire Jenkins, March 31, 2010

Media Coverage

• "Restrictive policies under FIRE,"
  by Brian Reisinger, The Spectator, March 5, 2007
• "Student's Lawsuit Compels UW to Lift RA-Led Bible Study Ban,"
  by Jim Brown, Agape Press, March 29, 2006
• "University of Wisconsin sets policy on disputed Bible studies,"
  Associated Press, March 16, 2006
• "Regents pass RA proposal,"
  by Emily Hartwig, The Spectator (UW–Eau Claire), March 13, 2006
• "RA-Led Bible Studies Impetus Behind Proposed UW System Policy,"
  by Jim Brown, Agape Press, March 10, 2006
• "Free speech wins in new UW policy,"
  The Sheboygan Press (Wis.), March 8, 2006
• "Religious studies proposal respects everyone’s rights,"
  La Crosse Tribune (Wis.), March 7, 2006
• "UW System plan pleases religious group,"
  by George Hesselberg, Wisconsin State Journal, March 6, 2006
• "When freedoms clash,"
  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 5, 2006
• "Ignorance of our founding principles can endanger us all,"
  by Katherine Kersten, Star Tribune (Minneapolis–St. Paul), March 5, 2006
• "UW president recommends policy for resident assistants' meetings,"
  Associated Press, March 2, 2006
• "Knockin’ on heaven’s door,"
  The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), March 2, 2006
• "Fighting Against Political Correctness on Campus,"
  by Dave Eberhart, NewsMax, March 1, 2006
• "Policy allows dorms RA's Bible study,"
  by George Hesselberg, Wisconsin State Journal, March 1, 2006
• "FIRE president speaks on campus,"
  by Brian Reisinger, The Spectator (UWEC), February 2, 2006
• "Speaker was shocked by RA-Bible study ban,"
  by Mary Steigmeir, Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.), February 2, 2006
• "Public opinion sought in development of RA policy,"
  by Emily Hartwig, The Spectator (UWEC), January 26, 2006
• "UWEC Bible study provokes controversy,"
  by Sinead Devlin, Ripon College Days (Wis.), January 25, 2006
• "UW advances own political agenda,"
  by Darryn Beckstrom, The Badger-Herald (UW-Madison), January 25, 2006
• "Univ. of Wisconsin Sidesteps System-Wide Policy on Bible Study Bans,"
  by Jim Brown, Agape Press, January 23, 2006
• "Update: University Committee Approves Bible Study Ban,"
  by Nathan Burchfiel, Cybercast News Service, January 19, 2006
• "He who troubleth his own house…,"
  The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), January 19, 2006
• "University Working on New Dorm Bible Study Policy,"
  by Nathan Burchfiel, Cybercast News Service, January 13, 2006
• "Network Aims to Help Harassed Campus Conservatives,"
  by Kelley Vlahos, Fox News, December 26, 2005
• "UW-Eau Claire decision limits its students' free speech rights,"
  by Kent Syverson, The Capital Times (Madison, Wisc.), December 20, 2005
• "UW-Eau Claire RA says he was 'shocked' by Bible studies ban,"
  by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press, December 13, 2005
• "UW president speaks up on Bible study controversy,"
  by Megan Twohey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 13, 2005
• "College should be a place of higher learning,"
  by Rick Esenberg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 5, 2005
• "UW-Eau Claire Faces Lawsuit Over School's RA-Led Bible Study Ban,"
  by Jim Brown and Jenni Parker, Agape Press, December 5, 2005
• "RA files lawsuit against university,"
  by Brian Reisinger, The Spectator (UW–Eau Claire), December 5, 2005
• "Bible study conflict escalates to national issue,"
  by Megan Twohey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 4, 2005
• "Battle for free expression beginning,"
  by Charles Parsons, The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), December 2, 2005
• "University suspends policya,"
  by D. J. Slater, The Spectator (UW–Eau Claire), December 1, 2005
• "Eau Claire suspends Bible-study ban,"
  by Michael Gendall, The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), December 1, 2005
• "Group sues UW-Eau Claire, regents over Bible studies ban,"
  Associated Press, December 1, 2005
• "UW-Eau Claire suspends Bible study ban,"
  by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press, November 30, 2005
• "Controversy of Biblical proportions,"
  by Jake Herrera, The Daily Cardinal (UW-Madison), November 29, 2005
• "Feelings trumping rights,"
  by David Limbaugh, Townhall.com, November 29, 2005
• "Residents dislike Bible study ban,"
  Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.), November 29, 2005
• "University Asks for Legal Review of Bible Study Ban,"
  by Kathleen Murphy, Religion News Service, November 28, 2005
• "Proponents obtain no legal opinion,"
  by Michael Gendall, The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), November 28, 2005
• "In Brief,"
  by Anne K. Walters, The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 25, 2005
• "News from Around Wisconsin,"
  Associated Press, November 23, 2005
• "UW policy tramples on free speech,"
  The Sheboygan Press (Wis.), November 23, 2005
• "Student Senate Postpones Debate on Bible Study,"
  by Sean Towle, WEAU-TV (NBC Affiliate), November 22, 2005
• "Local private colleges continue to allow Bible study in dorms,"
  by Sharon Roznik, The Reporter (Fond du Lac, Wis.), November 21, 2005
• "Bible ban puts policy in national spotlight,"
  by John Brewer, Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.), November 20, 2005
• "Attorney general refuses to give opinion,"
  by Brian Reisinger, The Spectator (UW–Eau Claire), November 20, 2005
• "David v. Goliath,"
  Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.), November 19, 2005
• "UW's Extension of RA-Led Bible Study Ban Draws FIRE's Protest,"
  by Jim Brown, Agape Press, November 18, 2005
• "Legislators request Lautenschlager’s opinion in Eau Claire controversy,"
  by Michael Gendall, The Badger-Herald (UW-Madison), November 17, 2005
• "State Attorney General will review RA policy,"
  by Brian Reisinger, The Spectator (UW–Eau Claire), November 17, 2005
• "Speech codes on campus,"
  The Badger-Herald (UW-Madison), November 16, 2005
• "Opinion sought on Bible study,"
  Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.), November 15, 2005
• "UW religious debate reaches Wis. lawmakers,"
  by Sam Omar-Hall, The Daily Cardinal (UW-Madison), November 15, 2005
• "Green calls for hearing,"
  by Michael Gendall, The Badger-Herald (UW-Madison), November 15, 2005
• "Political Grapevine: Bible Study Ban,"
  by Brit Hume, Fox News, November 14, 2005
• "Bible study ban prompts question,"
  by Megan Twohey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 14, 2005
• "UW should dump RA Bible study ban,"
  by Don Huebscher, Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.), November 13, 2005
• "Bible study is speech,"
  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 13, 2005
• "How long before they ban private Bible reading?,"
  by Mark Tapscott, Townhall.com, November 11, 2005
• "RAs, students share mixed feelings,"
  by D. J. Slater, The Spectator (UW–Eau Claire), November 10, 2005
• "Quick Takes,"
  Inside Higher Ed, November 10, 2005
• "University should let RAs show their faith,"
  Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, November 10, 2005
• "FIRE Demands University of Wisconsin Lift Ban on RA-Led Bible Studies,"
  by Jim Brown, Agape Press, November 8, 2005
• "Trumping Moses and Matthew,"
  by Suzanne Fields, Syndicated Column, November 7, 2005
• "RA Bible study ban draws FIRE's ire,"
  by D. J. Slater, The Spectator (UW–Eau Claire), November 7, 2005
• "Reps. blast UW-Eau Claire,"
  by Benjamin Jones, The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), November 7, 2005
• "Banned Bible Study, Stifled Santa,"
  by Scott Norvell, Fox News, November 7, 2005
• "Bible study policy raises ire,"
  by Raquel Rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 4, 2005
• "UWEC Under Fire From FIRE,"
  by Anna Wagnild, WEAU-TV (NBC Affiliate), November 4, 2005
• "States: Wisconsin,"
  USA Today, November 4, 2005
• "UW-Eau Claire is reviewing legalities of Bible study ban,"
  by Carrie Antlfinger, Associated Press, November 3, 2005
• "University denies religious freedom,"
  by Charles Parsons, The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), November 3, 2005
• "Eau Claire policy comes under FIRE,"
  by Michael Gendall, The Badger Herald (UW-Madison), November 3, 2005