Weekly Standard Examines New Threats to College’s Religious Liberty

Writing in the Weekly Standard, Alice B. Lloyd examines two bills that are working their way through the California Legislature, both of which would threaten Thomas Aquinas College’s religious liberty. “AB 1888, would cut off public grants to all colleges and universities without policies specifically protecting gay, lesbian, and transgender students from any form of discrimination,” Ms. Lloyd Notes. “The other, SB 1146, would require that colleges and universities exempted from Title IX because of religious affiliation publicize their exempt status to current and prospective students, also making those schools vulnerable to legal action under Title IX.”

The effect of such legislation, she adds, could be to deny Thomas Aquinas College students access to Cal Grants, a public form of financial aid to which all California taxpayers contribute and all residents are entitled. “Thomas Aquinas College’s non-discrimination policy, for instance, makes no specific mention of gender identity or sexual orientation,” Ms. Lloyd observes. “Under AB 1888, they would no longer be able to offer students the option of state funding.”

It is by no means certain, however, that these bills will come to a vote, let alone be enacted into law, and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the California Catholic Conference are both working vigilantly for their defeat. Thomas Aquinas College General Counsel Quincy Masteller is monitoring the situation carefully and keeping College officials apprised of their  legal options. “Coming so soon after the Supreme Court decision in our challenge against the HHS mandate, we are disappointed to see our religious liberty threatened yet again,” says Mr. Masteller. “We encourage friends of the College to continue their prayers — which have borne much good fruit already — for the College’s protection.”