Two clauses (among many) of PROSPER are riling civil rights groups. One would permit faith-based institutions to prohibit same-sex relationships among students and the other would allow student clubs to restrict membership to those of the same faith.

Keep in mind that colleges and universities are already permitted to have certain restrictions on how students can behave socially on campus.

Several colleges forgo financial aid to maintain their autonomy, including the right to prohibit same-sex relationships. Colleges with deep religious traditions that run counter to federal anti-discrimination policies can apply for exemptions to avoid having their tax-exempt status revoked and to maintain their ability to take federal financial aid.

The second problem with PROSPER, according to critics, is the amendments would eliminate the government’s ability to revoke an institution’s tax-exempt status and forbid students from using their federal financial aid for that college if it violated federal law. Consequently, it would give faith-based colleges immunity from the federal government’s chief enforcement and accountability tool to ensure that postsecondary institutions follow the rule of law.

Read the full article on PROSPER by Andre Perry at The Hechinger Report