Hello,
Pease see these links related to federal court decisions on similar situations at Eastern Michigan and Augusta State.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/07/28/counseling
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/12/20/appeals-court-rejects-appeal-anti-gay-students-challenge-counseling-rules
Liz Winter, Ph.D., LSW
Academic Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor
Child Welfare Education for Leadership Program
School of Social Work
University of Pittsburgh
2327 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-2371
Fax: 412-624-1159
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I once had a student who refused to watch R-rated films in my multicultural counseling class, a graduate school counseling class. She was a young, single, Orthodox Jewish girl who said her Rabbi told her that she shouldn't watch such films. It is our philosophy that school counselors have to work with all children. Potentially a student might come out to her in a session. I was not going to provide an alternative assignment. I met with her and her Rabbi along with a colleague. It was clear that it was more of the student's issue and not so much religious doctrine. The student who was not married did not want to be influenced by sexual and/or violent content of the films. The films are an integral part of the course and provide wonderful case material for student activities. The student chose to come to our program, but there were other colleges she could choose. While we were sympathetic, the basic mission of our program was to be able to work with all students and the films helped jumpstart some difficult dialogues. It was clear from the meeting that the Rabbi did not forbid the films, and it was the student. Ultimately, she decided to go to a different program. We all have rights, but there are times that we need to hold on to our academic freedom. There are options for where students can enroll. I hope this helps. This was a delicate matter for us because the course itself focuses on being sensitive to cultural differences, etc. But in the end, there was a line that we wouldn't cross. Our students are required to have some transformative learning activities. While we do not look to change individuals' values and beliefs, we expect them to advocate for and work with all children and their families.
Brooklyn College, City University of New York
Graciela Elizalde-Utnick, Ph.D.
This is a really interesting article having just finished training on Title IX and other discrimination/harrassment policies.
On one hand the student's refusal to work with female students potentially creates a hostile environment for those students; on the other hand, does forcing participation violate the student's right to religious freedom? I would assume that when a student enrolls in a coeducational college or university, they are inherently agreeing to work with students of all genders however I don't know if this is a binding/legal policy.
Assistant Professor, Architecture
Co-Director, ISU Community Design Lab
There needs to be an institution response to this
We had something similar when turn it in came to town....and a few students refused to play along
Our institutional response was that is your right...BUT we use turn it in....if you want a degree from our institution....you need to as well....or go find another school
Good Morning, Colleagues,
As you may have noted in this morning's Inside Higher Ed, the Globe and Mail reports that a male student protested having to meet with a learning group containing females in a course he was taking.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/religious-accommodation-or-accessory-to-sexism-york-students-case-stirs-debate/article16246401/
Suppose you had such a student, male or female, who was a regular, full-time on-campus student, in your TBL course, but refused to meet with peers of the other gender. How would you handle this? How would your institution react to this potentially legally fraught situation? What are the implications for a TBL course as a whole of granting this kind of request? Would the situation be any different for objections to meeting with gays? transsexual students? members of other ethnicities?
Lion Gardiner
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Lion F. Gardiner, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Zoology
Rutgers University
212.226.2749
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