Senator Mae Beavers, a member of the Tennessee Religious Freedom Caucus has proposed a bill with the state legislature that would allow student organisations at public universities to decide on memberships solely based on one's religious beliefs.

The Tennessee Religious Freedom Caucus is the 9th state group formed to protect religious freedom.

A similar bill was introduced last year but was vetoed by Gov. Bill Haslam after a controversy erupted over Vanderbilt University's non-discrimination policy.

Haslam said that it was inappropriate to force down the policies on private universities as well.

"We're bringing that back, to apply to our public institutions to make sure that you're not forced to accept people who do not believe the same way you do," Beavers member of the Tennessee Religious Freedom Caucus, told WPLN News

The new bill which will be applicable only to state-supported colleges, such as the University of Tennessee, will allow student organisations to provide memberships to those students who share the group's religious beliefs.

The Vanderbilt University on the other hand, has a policy that makes it compulsory for all student groups to register with the Dean of Students' office and sign its non-discrimination agreement or the 'all- comers policy.

The policy requires a Catholic student organization, for example, to invite members from Jewish, atheist or any other community.

This has led the university's 500 member student group, 'Vandy Catholic,' to denounce its official status instead of signing the agreement.

"This debate is about non-discrimination, not religious freedom, and we stand behind our policy," Beth Fortune, vice chancellor for public affairs at Vanderbilt, told Huffington Post, last year.

Other states such as Ohio and Virginia have banned 'all-comers policy' at public universities. However, Virginia is waiting for Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature.