SIUC: We don't discriminate on basis of religion
University responds to Christian group's demands
Andrea Zimmermann
Issue date: 3/20/07 Section: City
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In a letter sent Monday responding to a national Christian legal group, SIU cited an existing policy as assurance the university does not discriminate on the basis or religion, but largely declined to comment on the claims that a professor violated a student's rights.
Jerry Blakemore, lead counsel for the university, complied with the demands of the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom by sending the organization a letter Monday afternoon.
Blakemore referred to the university's non-discrimination policy, which including religious affiliation. He then explained that he was bound by federal privacy laws to not publicly discuss academic matters of students and employment matters of faculty.
"Given the confidentiality issues associated with this matter, our office will not make further comments on this matter," Blakemore wrote.
Earlier this month, the national Christian legal group based in Scottsdale, Ariz, stepped in on behalf of Christine Mize, a graduate student in social work from Murphysboro. Mize claims that Professor Laura Dreuth Zeman violated her First Amendment rights after refusing to let her include religion in an assignment.
Mize said during the fall semester, Professor Laura Dreuth Zeman refused to let her include a Christian-based therapy to assist women dealing with post-abortion stress syndrome in a paper for her SOCW 501, General Practice class.
Mize said the professor informed her that her paper would be downgraded if she included the religious aspect. Students were to draw from lectures and the textbook to complete the assignment, Dreuth Zeman said, and religion was not included.
Mize said religion was discussed in the course as it pertained to the Alcoholics Anonymous program structure.
In December, Mize turned in the assignment without the religious component. She also attached legal information from the American Center for Law and Justice, which, like the Alliance Defense Fund, also take religious liberty cases.
Jerry Blakemore, lead counsel for the university, complied with the demands of the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom by sending the organization a letter Monday afternoon.
Blakemore referred to the university's non-discrimination policy, which including religious affiliation. He then explained that he was bound by federal privacy laws to not publicly discuss academic matters of students and employment matters of faculty.
"Given the confidentiality issues associated with this matter, our office will not make further comments on this matter," Blakemore wrote.
Earlier this month, the national Christian legal group based in Scottsdale, Ariz, stepped in on behalf of Christine Mize, a graduate student in social work from Murphysboro. Mize claims that Professor Laura Dreuth Zeman violated her First Amendment rights after refusing to let her include religion in an assignment.
Mize said during the fall semester, Professor Laura Dreuth Zeman refused to let her include a Christian-based therapy to assist women dealing with post-abortion stress syndrome in a paper for her SOCW 501, General Practice class.
Mize said the professor informed her that her paper would be downgraded if she included the religious aspect. Students were to draw from lectures and the textbook to complete the assignment, Dreuth Zeman said, and religion was not included.
Mize said religion was discussed in the course as it pertained to the Alcoholics Anonymous program structure.
In December, Mize turned in the assignment without the religious component. She also attached legal information from the American Center for Law and Justice, which, like the Alliance Defense Fund, also take religious liberty cases.
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