Gonzaga president, Thayne McCulloh, has directed the Student Activities department to designate official club status to the student group 'Knights of Columbus.' The paper work will be completed by the next academic year.

"This sponsorship is granted under the University's Standards for On-Campus Religious Activities Policy," said spokeswoman Mary Joan Hahn. "As with other student organizations, it is obligated to follow university policies and procedures,"

Knights of Columbus - an all-male, all-Catholic student club, will now be able to use the university's name in its title, organise fund-raising campaigns on campus for the Council's mission and activities, schedule meetings and host events at campus facilities, recruit members and participate in membership activities such as the semi-annual club fair.

In addition, the club will be eligible for money from the university and student fees.

The Cardinal Newman Society sent a letter to McCulloh thanking him for granting official club status to the Knights of Columbus.

McCulloh decided to review a Student Life Office decision, which denied Knights of Columbus Council recognition as a student club after the Catholic community, including GU alumni and parents of current students, protested that all factors were not taken into consideration while making the decision.

In March, Student Life Office declined to recognise Knights of Columbus as an official student group as it failed to meet certain standard requirements.

Defending their decision at the time, the university officials alleged that the club, if granted permission, will be recruiting only male Catholics, ultimately engaging in discrimination toward women and non-Catholics.

Since the university does not believe in discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex and nationality, Dean of Students Kassi Kain and Assistant Director for Student Activities David Rovick, refused to include them in the list of official clubs, last month.

"I think it is important to note that this was not a decision based [on] the Knights of Columbus' value or worthiness of recognition, nor is it some kind of litmus test of Gonzaga's Catholicity," said Student Life Vice President Sue Weitz. "It is a decision about social justice, equity, and the desire of the university to create and maintain an environment in which none are excluded."

Knights of Columbus did enjoy official club recognition at Gonzaga from 1999-2008 before becoming non-operational due to lack of interest.