SOUTH BEND — Students at Indiana University South Bend may have noticed something missing from their lunch menu. Chick-fil-A sandwiches are no longer allowed to be sold on campus.
The university decided to remove Chick-fil-A as a campus vendor after news that a Pennsylvania franchise will be donating food for an event hosted by a known anti-homosexual group.
"Chick-fil-A's already known as a Christian organization,” said IU South Bend senior Brian Jernigan. “So, I'm not really surprised that they would donate to an organization that's against homosexual values."
News of the ban spread quickly, prompting Chick-fil-A's president to release an online statement defending his company.
"Providing food to these events or any event is not an endorsement of the mission, political stance or motives of this or any other organization,” said Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy. “Any suggestion otherwise is just inaccurate."
Some IU South Bend students don't see things the same way.
"Providing food is equal to donating money,” said IU South Bend junior Erin Rempala. “So you must believe in the cause to donate the food."
The Chick-fil-A sandwiches were only sold on Wednesdays at the Courtside Cafe. Indiana University has full Chick-fil-A restaurants at their Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.
"I think the university is OK with them,” said IU South Bend senior Justin Samson. “I just think people are just over-reacting with what Chick-fil-A stands for and I just think that they need to settle down and accept that everybody doesn't have to have the same belief."
Many students said they didn't even notice the sandwiches were gone and the university says they don't plan to bring in a vendor to replace Chick-fil-A.
Chick-fil-A's president also said that the company strives to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for all its customers. (Click here for a video of Cathy's response.)
