Attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) representing the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter at the University at Buffalo are set to challenge university officials in a federal district court. The legal dispute arose after the university stripped YAF of its student group recognition and prevented it from receiving the same benefits as other student organizations. The university and Student Association have been accused of discrimination against the chapter due to its affiliation with conservative national organization, Young America’s Foundation.
The ADF filed a federal lawsuit against the university in June. The Student Association rescinded its policy a month later and recognized YAF. However, it subsequently replaced it with another policy, alleged to be unconstitutional, requiring student organizations and their leaders to relinquish their legal rights to official recognition. YAF’s refusal to sign a form waiving its legal rights resulted in the Student Association blocking the student group from access to more than $6,000 in student-fee funding.
The action has spurred the ADF to file a motion in March requesting the court to allow YRF to gain access to the funds during the case’s proceedings. The university’s new policy has been criticized for its requirement that club leaders certify their surrender of their and their organization’s rights to file a lawsuit against the university or its officials in the future, among other restrictions.