It's the first right stipulated in the First Amendment and one that most of us in the United States take for granted: the right to practice religion freely. In dealing with issues of religion involving individuals or groups, colleges and universities tread very carefully to avoid violating this sacred right.
But what happens when a religious group violates another's personal rights? How do institutions ensure students' rights to religious freedom while still protecting them from harm?
According to University Chaplain Sharon Kugler, it isn't about freedom of religion.
"It's about tactics and behavior," said Kugler. "We want to make sure that people are safe and that they're getting the whole story."
While the University does not prohibit students from practicing their religion, it does stipulate guidelines for all religious groups on campus. These guidelines, outlined and enforced by the Hopkins' Campus Ministries, prohibit groups from proselytizing and require them to clearly describe who they are when advertising their group to other students. All student religious groups are required to be sanctioned through the chaplain.
"It makes it easier for us to feel we have a handle on who's here," said Kugler.
Not all college campuses have such recourse; separation of church and state limits state institutions from enforcing these requirements on religious groups. But Kugler has noticed a heightened concern and willingness to act against destructive groups on the part of state schools.
"The student affairs offices [at state schools] are becoming more aggressive in wanting to seek ways to engage the religious community [... and] get out who they consider to be legitimate or not," said Kugler.
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