FFRF made sure that the University of Montana was not violating the rights of college students by enforcing prayer at a seemingly state-sponsored event.
A member of the University of Montana community reported that at a rodeo there was an explicitly Christian prayer broadcast over the loudspeaker as an official part of the event. The complainant felt uncomfortable and unwelcome at the event, and had concerns for the large number of students participating in the event who would feel alienated by the appearance of the university’s endorsement of religion.
FFRF Equal Justice Works Fellow Kat Grant wrote to University of Montana President Seth Bodnar.
After receiving the letter, the university reached out to Associate Legal Counsel Kate Duran, who contacted Grant via phone. Duran informed Grant that the university did not actually sponsor the event, but the university and the host of the event are looking into having a disclaimer printed on programs that the event is not an official university event. Duran and the university were grateful for being contacted by FFRF and were enthusiastic to ensure that the rights of students and community members would be protected in the future, should further need arise.
