Club fees helpful
A possible landmark case is on its way to
the U.S. Supreme Court. The question before the court: Can a university
force a student to subsidize campus organizations that contradict the student's
personal views?
The case originates at the University of
Wisconsin. Law student, Scott Southworth, is suing the school because
it ignored his request to refund $7.99 from one semester's tuition, according
to the Los Angeles Times.
Apparently, Southworth objects to funding
the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center.
We agree with Southworth in that he should
be upset at having to support groups that he vehemently opposes. But to
sue the school over $8 in respect to a semester's tuition at law school
is very petty.
No one is forcing him to listen to these
groups or attend their meetings. And in all likelihood, Southworth could
find some staunch conservative group to join. Or, if he is really
that hard up for friends, he could start his own ultra-conservative, right-wing
Christian club.
That would be like someone suing Cal State
Long Beach for less than $10 dollars because they don't want to support
the Women's Resource Center or the Interfaith Center because they don't
like their political or religious beliefs.
If we force these organizations to fully
fund themselves, only the ones that attract rich, conservative, bigots
will have a voice on campus. But keeping a lifeline connected to these
clubs will only provide more open exchange of ideas. |
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