It has been over a month since NC State and the faith-based student organization Grace Christian Life settled a lawsuit over the right to non-commercial solicitation on campus without a permit.
The effects of the settlement, it would seem, brought peace of mind to members of Grace Christian Life, but otherwise did not affect the group’s daily operations.
Ed Russ, a pastor at Grace Community Church and a board member of Grace Christian Life on campus, said that since the lawsuit was settled, there has been no formal communication between the university and Grace Christian Life.
The suit, filed in April, was brought against the university citing several examples of what Grace Christian Life saw as unfair instances of their group being singled out by campus officials.
At the time, student groups who wanted to speak to students on campus for non-commercial purposes and pass out materials had to seek a permit from the university before engaging with the community. Campus officials stopped several members of the Grace Christian Life group citing this need for a permit while they were soliciting students on campus.
Hannalee Alrutz, the president of Grace Christian Life and a senior studying middle grades education, said that Grace Christian Life members didn’t know about the policy until university officials stopped members in the fall of 2015. According to Alrutz, the policy change is a matter of first amendment rights.
“The first amendment is our permit,” Alrutz said. “It’s not our right to reserve space, but it’s our right to talk to people on campus. The policy directly affected all students.”
During the time that the lawsuit was in court, Russ said he advised students to ask questions of university officials who would attempt to stop them speaking to students.
“I advised them to ask to see the rule that said they couldn’t speak to students on campus,” Russ said. “I told them to respond as they felt comfortable. Don’t go looking for an argument, but to ask questions about why they were being stopped.”
Russ said he did not believe the lawsuit would damper the relationship between the group and the university, citing a long history that the group has as an official campus organization.
“We have enjoyed well over 20 years of a great relationship with the university,” Russ said. “We’re very happy to have this settled.”
Todd Valentine, an intern at Grace Christian Life and student at Wake Technical Community College, said he felt that any group on campus should be allowed to express themselves and engage with other students.
“President [Barack] Obama recently talked about college being a place where different viewpoints could be considered,” Valentine said. “You have these discussions with people with different ideas and you can strengthen what you believe.”
Charles Robson, a sophomore studying computer engineering, said he has had several discussions with student faith groups on campus, and didn’t find them that intrusive or see a reason that they should need a permit to try to talk to students.
“I honestly didn’t really mind them coming up to me,” Robson said. “You can always say no when someone comes up to you, you don’t have to talk to them. As long as they understand when you don’t have time to talk I think they’re fine.”
