Students Organize “Haven” and Apply for Club Status, but Are Denied

Students organize a “Gay/Straight Alliance” group and apply to the student governing body (ASSP) for club status. They are told they cannot have gay in the club name, so they adopt the name Haven. Haven’s stated purpose is to provide a safe “haven” for “gay” students and to educate the SPU Community on issues of human sexuality. ASSP approves the application, but the SPU administration overrules the ASSP decision. Haven leaders are told by the administration that they must include in the club constitution affirmations of the student “Lifestyle Expectations” and the SPU “Statement on Human Sexuality.”