CBNNews.com - MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The University of Wisconsin-Superior is being sued in federal court for refusing to recognize a Christian student group.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship President Alec Hill says the group's campus chapter was denied recognition because it allows only Christians to serve as officers.

Hill says that requirement is essential to his group's identity and mission. To require otherwise, he says, would be like making a Vegan club let meat-eaters be officers.

InterVarsity-Superior believes the university's position therefore violates First Amendment religious and free speech rights, as well as freedom of association and self-identification of organizations.

And, as Hill indicated, an organization must be able to choose leaders that identify with its goals and its reason for existence.

Hill adds that the university's policy conflicts with a recent federal appeals court ruling that forced Southern Illinois University to reinstate the Christian Legal Society despite its requirement that members pledge to adhere to Christian beliefs.

According to InterVarsity's Web site, InterVarsity is asking the UW-Superior to reinstate the chapter and allow all InterVarsity chapters on UW campuses to use religious criteria for the selection of chapter officers.

Sources: Associated Press, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship