At a Glance ...

Judge to speak on sexual assault

Since April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s Community Conversation Series will present “How to Recognize Sexual Assault — and Take Action” with Ingham County 30th District Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina on Wednesday, April 14, from noon to 1 p.m. online.

Aquilina made news worldwide for her work presiding over the sentencing of disgraced former sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar. 

The judge has a reputation for outspoken advocacy and giving those in her courtroom a voice.

To register for the event, visit https://info.cooley.edu/community-conversations.


Federal Bar to host ‘Sharing Stories’ event

The Diversity Committee of the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, will present “Sharing Stories and Building Understanding” as an online program Thursday, April 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. via Zoom.

To register for this free event or for additional information, visit https://fbamich.org/event/sharing-stories-and-building-understanding.


Judge: School violated rights of Christian student group

DETROIT (AP) — The constitutional rights of a Christian student group were violated when a Detroit university declined to grant campus status because leaders were required to embrace certain religious beliefs, a judge has ruled.

Wayne State University said InterVarsity Christian Fellowship violated nondiscrimination policies. The group is open to all students but it requires leaders to meet Christian standards.

Wayne State in 2018 declined InterVarsity's designation as a registered student group, which typically carries financial benefits and places to gather and recruit members. The school subsequently changed course, but the lawsuit continued in federal court.

“No religious group can constitutionally be made an outsider, excluded from equal access to public or university life, simply because it insists on religious leaders who believe in its cause,” U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland said early this week.

Cleland noted that Wayne State had no problem with gender-specific club sports teams or fraternities and sororities. He noted that the Iraqi Student Organization requires leaders to be “dedicated Iraqi students.”

“The court’s ruling was not unexpected,” Wayne State spokesman Matt Lockwood said. “Unfortunately, despite the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship being granted everything it requested in a timely manner, it continued to pursue litigation, forcing the university to spend time and taxpayer dollars in an unnecessary lawsuit.”

––––––––––––––––––––

Subscribe to the Legal News!

http://legalnews.com/subscriptions

Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more

Day Pass Only $4.95!

One-County $80/year

Three-County & Full Pass also available

 

––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available