Gonzaga University president Thayne McCulloh has decided to review a Student Life Office decision, which denied Knights of Columbus Council recognition as a student club as it failed to meet certain standard requirements. The review will be completed at in a month or so.
The decision to review denial of official student club status to Knights of Columbus group was made after the Catholic community, including GU alumni and parents of current students, raised concerns that all factors were not taken into consideration while making the decision.
"The Knights of Columbus College Council is on-campus and is supported by the University currently," Gonzaga community relations director Mary Joan Hahn said. "They haven't been banned. The Knights of Columbus College Council is already present within the student body and receives support from the administration."
The university officials allege that the club, if granted permission, will be recruiting only male Catholics, ultimately engaging in discrimination toward women and non-Catholics.
Since the university does not believe in discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex and nationality, Dean of Students Kassi Kain and Assistant Director for Student Activities David Rovick, refused to include them in the list of official clubs, last month.
"I think it is important to note that this was not a decision based [on] the Knights of Columbus' value or worthiness of recognition, nor is it some kind of litmus test of Gonzaga's Catholicity," said Student Life Vice President Sue Weitz. "It is a decision about social justice, equity, and the desire of the university to create and maintain an environment in which none are excluded."
Reacting to the university decision, Peter Guthrie, the Grand Knight (president) of the Knights of Columbus student council, said that even though their club is supposed to recruit only male Catholics, they are ready to allow other students to participate in the club's service projects.
However, being part of service projects is not similar to being its official member. In addition, the club likes to maintain secrets, which would automatically exclude women and non-Catholics and would lead to chaos.
The Knights of Columbus have established their chapters in more than 275 U.S. colleges and university campuses.
Knights of Columbus did enjoy official club recognition at Gonzaga from 1999-2008 before becoming non-operational due to lack of interest.