The federal Equal Access law was passed in 1984. We have had the law for fifteen years and that law is based upon the First Amendment which goes back to the founding of our country. Yet school boards and administrators have continually tried to get around the law. Oftentimes schools will allow the student secular clubs to meet during school hours at specified times, but restrict the Christian clubs to either before or after school. Consequently, the Christian clubs are not well attended because students cannot come early or stay late.
Equal access means equal treatment.
If a school allows one noncurriculum related student club on campus, it must give equal treatment to all other such clubs. A noncurriculum related student club is a club that is not directly related to a class taught or to be taught on campus. For example, a French club would be a curriculum related club if French is a subject taught in the curriculum. However, a Chess Club, Interact Club, a Photography Club, a Vegetarian Club, or any other clubs such as Students Against Drunk Driving, are all noncurriculum related student clubs. These are special interest or service clubs.