The controversy at the Moritz College of Law over one group’s right to discriminate against homosexuals was heightened last week when members of the Student Bar Association urged the university to enforce its nondiscrimination policy.

The SBA meeting held on Nov. 12 featured resolutions brought forth by three SBA senators but was highlighted by a Christian Legal Society member notifying the group that legal action may be taken if they continue to urge the university to de-recognize the CLS.

Sabrina Riggs, an SBA senator, introduced herself as a member of CLS and stated that everyone should be mindful that they had a complaint written up that could be filed within five minutes – all that was necessary was filling in the appropriate names.

“When the CLS threatened my fellow senators and I with legal action for urging the college and university to enforce its nondiscrimination policy, they effectively paralyzed us,” said Hank Mylander, an SBA senator. “I think it sets a bad precedent when any group with discriminatory intent can block action by waving some half-baked complaint under our noses.”

After learning of the possibility of legal action brought upon each member of the SBA, the resolution submitted by Mylander and two other senators was changed to only affirm and support the nondiscrimination policy – not to encourage the university to withdraw and withhold all funding and other support for the CLS.

“The SBA chose a more cautious route than I would have hoped,” said Chris Geidner, an SBA senator. “The message sent by the SBA, however cautious in its wording, is clear in its message: Discrimination – in all of its many forms – is wrong and should not be tolerated by the college or university.”

Mike Berry, president of the Ohio State chapter of CLS, was satisfied that the SBA has shown restraint in terms of encouraging the university to take action.

“CLS is pleased that the SBA formally stated its support of the university’s policy,” Berry said. “The SBA plays a vital role within the law school community, and it is of paramount importance that it support the university. CLS is an organization committed to biblical conciliation – litigation is avoided where possible.”

SBA members attending the meeting expressed concern at the prospect of facing a lawsuit, leading to the presented resolution to be changed. The SBA, which according to its constitution is designed to effectively promulgate the position of the association on major issues affecting the students of the Moritz College of Law, enforces a nondiscrimination policy in their constitution similar to that of the university.

“Our resolution made it undeniably clear that the CLS is no longer adhering to university policy, and I didn’t think it was too brash to urge the university to do something about it,” Mylander said. “There’s still a chance that the whole resolution will pass, but that will depend on the feedback we receive from our legal counsel. Ironically, the situation cuts both ways – by continuing to recognize the CLS as a legitimate student group, the SBA is not at odds with its own nondiscrimination policy.”