InterVarsity Chapters Return to CSU

_{For Immediate Release}

(Madison, WI) -- InterVarsity’s 23 chapters on 19 of the California State University (CSU) campuses will once again be recognized student groups, according to CSU and InterVarsity.  InterVarsity chapters were not recognized at CSU campuses for the 2014-2015 academic year.

“Following substantive and cordial ongoing conversations, CSU clarified the intent and reach of Executive Order 1068,” said InterVarsity president Jim Lundgren. “We are confident we can choose leaders who are qualified to lead InterVarsity’s witnessing communities throughout the Cal State system. “

Both CSU and InterVarsity affirm the importance of all students having the choice to participate in campus organizations.

“InterVarsity’s Christian faith compels us to welcome all people,” Lundgren said. “We support CSU in its commitment to serve the diversity of students on its campuses. In fact, InterVarsity communities are some of the most diverse groups on Cal State’s campuses. At the same time, we maintain our commitment to provide campus communities that are clearly Christian, where all students can experience and learn more about Christian community, theology, and practice. We’re grateful for this development and are looking forward to continued ministry on CSU campuses.”

While this agreement covers chapters at California State University, the largest public university system in the U.S., InterVarsity continues to face challenges to student chapters on campuses at other locations in California, New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Maine, Iowa, and Florida.

“In a time where much of the public discourse is polarized, InterVarsity and CSU remained engaged, honest, and respectful throughout the negotiations," Lundgren added. "While we are grateful to have resolved the issue with CSU, InterVarsity continues to believe that all-comers policies will result in the exclusion, rather than inclusion, of diverse students from campus.”

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA has a total of 985 chapters on 649 campuses and has been active on U.S. college and university campuses for more than 74 years. InterVarsity is a charter affiliate of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), and is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

^{For more information:
Gordon Govier
ggovier@intervarsity.org
608/443-3688}