©
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The president of a student-run Democratic club at Liberty University has resigned after the Christian school ordered the suspended club to find a new adviser.
Brian Diaz submitted his resignation Friday night from the College Democrats and says he plans to transfer to another school.
Earlier that day, Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. said club sponsor Maria Childress could no longer work directly with students.
Falwell cited Childress' May 20 conviction in Lynchburg General District Court of misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct and trespassing. Childress said the charges stemmed from a domestic dispute with her ex-father-in-law over visitation with her daughter.
"I don't think we could have her serving as an adviser and working with them (students) on a day-to-day basis," Falwell said. "I think it would raise concerns with parents if people with violent criminal convictions in the last year were working with students. So I don't think we could do that."
Childress said she believes Liberty was using the misdemeanors as an excuse to remove her.
"This is a direct attack to my character, not having anything to do with the club," she said. "It's a tactic for them to do whatever they wish."
Last month, the school founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell withdrew its official recognition of the club because it supported the Democratic Party's platform and candidates.
The club later sent a proposal to school officials that included statements that the group wouldn't endorse any candidate and would explicitly state its opposition to abortion.
The club initially declined to get rid of Childress at the administration's earlier suggestion.
Diaz said his decision to transfer comes from his desire to be part of "an institution that fosters diversity within its student body."
"I wish all the best to the Liberty University College Democrats, and I hope that this situation will not hinder anyone but will encourage political involvement, and standing up to what youth believe in," Diaz said.
———
Information from: The News & Advance, http://www.newsadvance.com/
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Private college
I think what people fail to realize is that liberty still is a private college and most of the students go there because they want that belief structure and moral basis. I don't want the government telling me what to believe so I would expect the same rights extended to them. Childress needs to be thanking them for letting her keep her job. I would like to think that our educators are held to a higher standard, she is dumb for getting 3 misdemeanors and expecting them to look the other way. I'm glad the groups leader stepped down because he was just trying to push his own agenda and its probably better if he does that somewhere else, nobody is forcing him to go there he chose to.
this is news?
The University has a choice as does the student. Looks like they both made a decision and the "system" worked.
Liberty's FIRST priority is to serve Christ's doctrine
As a student at Liberty, I can stand by my school and say that their FIRST priority is to serve Christ's doctrine as it is written. While many people have posted here in the past that the school should be more "diverse" or they should "respect the opinions of others" lack the knowledge of the school's mission statement. None of them can name anything that Obama or so many leaders in the party have done to promote Christianity or embrace its values. Its not enough to say that you are and it serve well like so many seem to accept in this country lately. It is a private school to which if you don't think it is "diverse" or "respectful" enough, simply find another school. There are 30,000 of "US" who don't have a problem with it. I respect my school now more than ever for that stance. While not all Democrats are "evil", there is a progressive movement occuring that suppots everything that Christians are not like gay marraige, abortion, socialist ideologies led by a President that denounces the Christian faith on a consistent basis.
What is the real lesson "Liberty" University is teaching?
I really wonder about "Liberty" University's inability to tolerate discussion and mutual respect over matters of politics. The timing of these events are interesting to read of as things melt down in Iran (where there is also only one opinion allowed -- a danger to the health of any faith).
Liberty
encourages discussion. The club did not honor its commitment so it lost the official school club recognition. It is still meeting on campus, they just don't have school support, just like the many other un-official clubs on the campus. Sorry that the democrats couldn't play by the rules and got caught, and are now crying foul. But the club knew what the requirements were.
LIberty Democrats
Nothing like showing everyone else how inclusive the Conservatives are