Federal Court dismisses Christian frat’s appeal

ATLANTA – A federal court has dismissed an appeal by a Christian fraternity that tried to force the University of Florida to recognize it as an official organization.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Tuesday found the controversy was moot because the university had amended its policy and allowed Beta Upsilon Chi to register.

The fraternity had said inviting non-Christians would undermine its mission and argued the university’s refusal to recognize it threatened its core beliefs. The school said school-supported student groups should be open to all.

But the university changed its policy in January. It said the appeal was now “merely academic,” and the three-judge panel in Atlanta agreed and dismissed the case.