MADISON, Wis. — Resident assistants are free to host Bible studies in their rooms, as well as sales or political meetings, under a policy adopted unanimously by the University of Wisconsin system's Board of Regents.

The assistants, who receive stipends in exchange for supervising students in residence halls, are warned that they should create an inclusive environment and not use their positions to coerce people to attend.

The regents in effect rescinded policies at the Madison and Eau Claire campuses, where assistants were barred from religious or political meetings in their rooms.

Last fall, an Eau Claire student challenged the unwritten policy after he was warned he could face disciplinary action for hosting Bible studies.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Parishioners thanked Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson for going public with his alcohol addiction following a weekend sermon he delivered on relinquishing comforts to save the soul."It feels like a homecoming," Robinson said following Sunday's service at St. John's Episcopal Church.One woman spoke of her brother's battle with alcohol and drug addiction, and mentioned he was given a sobriety chip from Alcoholics Anonymous for so many days clean. Robinson immediately dug into his pocket to bring out his one-month anniversary chip."I feel that God was very much with me (in the first month), and this promises to be a wonderful journey," Robinson said.