Student Organization Handbook
Religious Activity
ASUW and GPSS Funding of Religious Activities
- ASUW and GPSS funds can be used to support the activities and events of a religious or spiritual
registered student organization, including activities and events that involve religious worship,
exercise, and instruction.
- Facilities can be made available for religious worship, exercise, and instruction as long
as the group is charged a rate consistent with its status (student organization, off-campus, etc.).
- Use
of facilities for religious purposes, as for any other purpose, can be reviewed and limited if such
activity is determined to be dominating the facility (i.e., is excluding others from using the facility).
Reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General, February 2003.
Religious Activities
The constitution of the state of Washington is clear on the limitations on public funding of religious
activities. Article 1 section 11 provides that no public money or property shall be appropriated for,
or applied to, any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment.
The prohibition applies to indirect as well as direct expenditures of public money for religious worship,
exercise or instruction.
The Washington Supreme Court suggests that religious activities will fall
within the categories of worship, exercise, or instruction, unless they are taught in a completely
objective manner; have no effect on religious beliefs; are not slanted towards any particular theological
or religious point of view; do not indoctrinate anyone; and do not enter the realm of belief or faith.
In other words, persons or groups who desire state funding may speak about religion, but they may not
speak for religion.
- ASUW, GPSS and other public funds cannot be used to support a religious establishment or
religious worship, exercise, or instruction, as defined by the Washington courts.
- Facilities
can, however, be made available for religious worship, exercise, and instruction as long as they
group is charged a rate consistent with its status (student organization, off-campus, etc.).
- Use of
facilities for religious purposes can be reviewed and limited if such activity is determined to be
dominating the facility (i.e., is excluding others from using the facility). Questions regarding
this policy may be referred to the Director, Student Activities and Union Facilities.
Reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General, Spring, 1998.
Modified: September 16, 2008 |
