UC Davis removes Web wording that upset Christians

DAVIS, Calif. – The University of California at Davis has eliminated from its website a definition of religious discrimination that offended more than two dozen Christian students.

The wording to which the students objected defined religious discrimination in the United States as "institutionalized oppressions toward those who are not Christian."

It appeared in an online glossary to a "Principles of Community" diversity statement to which students and students groups were asked to pledge their commitment.

The Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal aid group, says one of its lawyers notified UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi on Wednesday that the language violated the constitutional rights of Christian students.

Campus spokeswoman Julia Ann Easley says the university removed the glossary the same day. The schools Office of Campus Community Relations estimates the definition had been around for six or seven years.