Alabama Victory: Religious Freedom Protected on Campus

Michala, a public university student in Alabama, and her mother Marlene recently contacted us about a religious objection to a course requirement. We are glad to report that Michalas rights were respected with the ACLJs assistance.

Michala is a Christian worship leader who has been writing and recording praise music and will soon release a CD. She also hosts an online prayer group called One Nation Under God.

Michala is enrolled at a public university on a music scholarship, and was required to take a musical theatre class. One course requirement was to participate in a performance that included two songs that Michala strongly objected to on religious grounds, one that used Gods name in vain and one that declares that the Bible is not necessarily true. Michala raised her concerns with her professor and the department chair, requesting an accommodation due to her religious beliefs. She was told that she would need to take part in the performance, refuse to participate and fail the course, or withdraw from the course. If she failed or withdrew, her scholarship was in jeopardy.

Michala and Marlene contacted us seeking assistance after they had been told by several people that there was nothing that could be done to change the situation. We researched Alabama law and advised Michala and Marlene that, in 1998, Alabama voters approved a state constitutional amendment which provides that government actors cannot burden an individuals freedom of religion unless the governments actions are the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. We said that this Amendment would give us a strong legal argument to present in a formal grievance letter to the university if a meeting with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences was unsuccessful.

Marlene talked with the dean of the college to discuss the situation. The university agreed to accommodate Michalas religious beliefs by waiving the requirement that she take that particular course and allowing her to withdraw from the course without having to forfeit her scholarship.  Her professor even complimented Michala for taking a stand for her faith, calling her a young woman of rare character who has handled herself with grace, respect, and maturity. 

Michala and Marlene were very pleased with this outcome. Marlene wrote us a thank you email, saying:

Thank you so much for your ministry. We especially thank you for the professional and extremely helpful advice of [ACLJ attorney] Erik. My husband and I never anticipated that we would ask for legal assistance, but we have always supported your ministry to protect our religious rights and those of others. . . .

We really werent sure how to proceed, so we contacted the American Center for Law and Justice. Your response was amazing!  Since my daughter was actively meeting with the school, we needed advice in a hurry. Within hours of contacting you, Erik was helping us with advice.  From the beginning, he said we could have a legal case, which helped Michala tremendously. It gave her the courage to continue to request that an accommodation be made for her beliefs.  Erik also advised us that, as parents, it was appropriate to contact the school as well. . . .

The school changed their course of action and started to work with us. They even assured us that the professors involved would be professional and not treat Michala punitively. . . .

Michalas faith is not a small thing to her, and your help blessed her and helped give her the strength and encouragement to continue the path that God has put her on. Please pass on our extreme gratitude to Erik and all of your staff that make your ministry possible.

We applaud Michala and Marlene for standing up for what they believe in, and also applaud the university for taking steps to accommodate Michalas faith.  They not only accommodated her beliefs, but have acted graciously toward her since the incident. 

This victory could not have been possible without your support and prayers.

Unfortunately, the accommodation of student religious beliefs is not as common on public university campuses at it ought to be. We will continue to defend student rights in the classroom and elsewhere on campus at public universities.