Virginia State University is being sued by two Christian student organizations that say the public university stripped them of official campus status, banned their affiliation with national Christian organizations, and forced Christian ministries under a university-appointed minister, while exempting Muslim and other non-Christian religious groups from those requirements.

The lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of Women of Victory and Bethel Campus Fellowship, whose VSU chapters held Bible studies, leadership training and other Christian activities. Under the controversial policy, the Christian ministries must operate under the "governance and influence" of campus minister Thomas Winn and a university advisory committee. The lawsuit said that when students asked why the restrictions applied to them, Winn responded: "Because That you are all faith-based... because you claim to be Jesus Messiah and faith." The plaintiffs also reveal that the Muslim Student Association and another non-Christian religious organization are exempt from the policy.