Reading so many stories about religious or conservative colleges resisting the approval of an atheist club, I noticed what seems to be a pattern of 20 steps:

Club applies to college Administration for approval. Silence for several weeks. Club inquires about application. Admin. says the deadline has passed for this semester. Club resubmits application early. More silence. Club inquires much sooner this time. Admin. says they are “reviewing” the application and the club’s statement of purpose. Club inquires every day. Admin. issues a terse denial of approval without explanation. Club demands explanation. Silence. College newspaper reports the club was denied approval without explanation. Admin. issues a lame, transparent, self-contradictory rationalization for the denial. Second college newspaper article makes Admin. look like hypocrites and bigots. Story begins to leak out to local newspapers and the blogosphere. Admin. sheepishly grants club approval. Club becomes popular, successful, brings college status with sought-after speakers. Admin. pretends they were supportive of the club all along. Every step is repeated at the next college just down the road.

Does that sound about right?



