Two Christian student organizations are challenging a new Virginia State University policy that removed their official recognition and placed their campus activities under the control of a university-appointed minister.

Women of Victory and Bethel Campus Fellowship filed a federal lawsuit against Virginia State University on Sept. 24, alleging that the public university is treating Christian student groups differently from other religious organizations on campus. The groups are represented by Alliance Defending Freedom.

The lawsuit challenges a Campus Ministries Policy adopted by the university in August. According to the complaint, the policy stripped Christian student ministries of their status as registered student organizations and prevented them from affiliating with their national organizations.

The groups were instead placed under VSU's Campus Ministries program and the authority of campus minister Thomas Wynn, along with a university-appointed advisory board. Under the policy, religious meetings, events, guest speakers and fundraising activities require approval from the campus minister.

The plaintiffs allege that the policy does not apply equally to every religious organization. The Muslim Students Association and the VSU Community Faith Alliance are specifically exempted from the policy, according to the lawsuit and ADF's case summary.

The complaint cites an Aug. 19 meeting between Wynn and student leaders in which students questioned why the restrictions applied to Christian groups. According to the filing, Wynn responded that the policy applied to them because they were faith-based and promoted Jesus Christ and Christianity.

The lawsuit also alleges that Wynn told students the exemption for the Muslim Student Association was intended to give the group “a more equal footing and a voice on campus.” The plaintiffs argue that the policy therefore violates their constitutional rights.

The groups further allege that the policy was enforced even against informal gatherings. According to the complaint, a Women of Victory leader was reprimanded after members held a pajama party in a campus common area without first receiving permission from Wynn.

Bethel Campus Fellowship has stopped its on-campus activities because of the policy, according to the lawsuit. Women of Victory has been recognized as a student organization at VSU since 2019, while Bethel has held that status since 2018.

The lawsuit alleges violations of the First Amendment's protections for free exercise of religion, free speech, and freedom of assembly, as well as the 14th Amendment's equal protection guarantee.

The students are asking a federal court to block enforcement of the policy and restore their registered student organization status. They are also seeking damages and a jury trial.

Virginia State University has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. WTVR reported that the university did not respond to requests for comment.

The case, Women of Victory at Virginia State University v. Branch, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Richmond.