Responding to Diane Jessup's Inquiry - Page 12

MW,

You mentioned that you are active in LGBT forums and the like.   I would be interested in your unique perspective on this case.  University expells grad student for position on sexuality. 

My initial thought was that the school has the right to expel her if they so choose.  However, upon further consideration, I have come to the conclusion that as a public institution, they should not have the right to deny an education to someone who has met their academic requirements.  Though I believe the phrase "separation of church and state" is often misused, I think it has to be applied both ways if at all.

RFS

After rereading my post, I realized that the first sentence may appear to be a bit of a nonsequitur.  My point was only that you are obviously willing to offer your opinion.

RFS

Distilling this down to "she's being kicked out of school for her religious feelings about gays and transsexuals" is inaccurate and inflammatory.

She's does not meet the criteria established for the program she voluntarily entered.
They did not change those criteria after her joining, she joined under those conditions.

They aren't denying her an education, they're saying she does not meet the requirements for *that* program.
Its a bit like a person with no hands demanding equal rights to become a surgeon.  Or an athiest alleging discrimination after a religious institute refused to ordain him.

There are well-established criteria to work in the mental health community.  You have to interview, extensively to be accepted into any such program of education, and many people are denied for attitudes regarding mental illness, race, social class, etc.

If she wishes to counsel people with absolute disregard to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and established treatment protocol, she should probably transfer to a school of Theology, which operates under different guidelines outside the American Psychiatric Association.

She'd also be removed from the program if she espoused the belief that Schizophrenia was a choice.  Except no one would object to her removal on those grounds.

Counselors.................. mess with your head and very scary.

I guess they think she should have that generic approach.

Hey, It's their program, you gotta play the game to be in the club.

My sister in-law is a grade school counselor, I wouldn't let her near anything with a brain.

nonsequitur?

Oh my.

I do think, however, if it can be proven that the school has had knowledge of her beliefs and attitudes on these issues from day one, accepted her into the program, and have allowed her to continue despite continually making her beliefs clear, they should refund her the full amount of her tuition.

LOL.............
Nothings free in water world.

It will take lawyers and they will be the ones who get the money.

I'm sure there are many religious groups that would be willing to take up her cause, pro bono.

As it is, she's already filed suit, so obviously lawyers aren't an issue.  The school would be wise to voluntarily offer to refund her tuition, rather than having to deal with a protracted court case and the inaccurate media coverage of the issue.

On the bright side, all of her credits will be transferrable to another program, should she choose to pursue it.

My moneys on the school.

Well, in a legal sense, the school hasn't done anything wrong.

If they refused to let her transfer to another program that didn't fall under the APA guidelines, *then* they'd be discriminating, and I'd hope the ACLU would burn 'em at the stake.

Does anyone like wild black cherries?

I been eating them.