Despite Illingworth’s earlier statement of the CCL’s belief that “student groups should not discriminate for membership or in the choice of officers,” his statements this week have been focused on the formal permissibility of the clause.

“In any case, nothing is stated in the [Student] Handbook about how officers of student organizations are to be selected,” he said.

Deborah C. Morton ’03, a former member of HRCF’s executive board, said HRCF was happy with the outcome.

“I was glad. There were very few changes made,” Morton said.

HRCF’s current executive board had no comment for this article.

The revised constitution will be ratified at the end of the year by consensus of HRCF members, Morton said.

Lurie, the council representative who originally objected to HRCF’s constitution, said he disagreed with the decision.

“I’m very disturbed by the administration’s decision,” he wrote in an e-mail. “By opening up what should be firm barriers against discrimination to exceptions to organizations that want them, the very idea of non-discrimination is dealt a harsh blow.”

“Non-discrimination is pointless if it only applies to groups, like The Crimson or Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, which have no reason to discriminate,” he added.

—Staff writer Alexander J. Blenkinsopp can be reached at blenkins@fas.harvard.edu.