UPDATE: Christian Viewpoint Protected on Campus

As you may recall, last month we filed an academic complaint on behalf of Correne, a public university student in Ohio who was disciplined due to her inclusion of Christian viewpoints in response to assignments and in class discussions with her peers and professors.  You can read the initial report here. 

I am delighted to report that the situation has been resolved in Correnes favor.

Correne was informed that she would not be permitted to student teach in the Spring 2010 semester or obtain her teacher licensure through the university. She received a scathing faculty Disposition Assessment discussing her progress in the program that, among other things, described Correne or her actions as prejudicial, culturally insensitive, discriminatory, inequitable, unprofessional, and unethical.

Our academic complaint filed with the university explained that the primary reasons given for the universitys decision are legally insupportable in light of federal and Ohio law. The complaint noted, There is a big difference between respecting people who hold viewpoints that are different than ones ownwhich Correne has consistently doneand being expected to not express an opinion that may offend someone. Declining to abandon ones own personal religious beliefs or accept conflicting viewpoints is not a sign of professional incompetence or a justification for disciplining a student or withholding academic advancement. The complaint sought Correnes full reinstatement into the program, including the ability to student teach in the Spring 2010 semester and pursue teacher licensure through the university.

Correne recently met with the Department Chair and was told that she would be able to student teach in the Spring 2010 semester and receive her licensure through the university. In addition, the negative Disposition Assessment was removed from her file. Correne was very pleased with this outcome. She told our attorneys:  Im glad everything worked out. I appreciate your help so much. Im glad there are people and organizations out there willing to spend their time defending peoples rights as citizens of this country.

We will stay in touch with Correne to make sure that she doesnt have any problems receiving her licensure, and we will continue to fight for student free speech rights on public university campuses.