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Bible Ban Controversy Swirls at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
It’s the controversy about religion on campus that won’t go away, with fresh salvos fired today from both sides. On July 26, an University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (UWEC) administrator banned resident assistants (RAs) from leading private, non-school-sponsored Bible studies in their dorms out of concern that students might feel "judged” and that Bible study–leading RAs might not be sufficiently "approachable.” Undergraduate RA Lance Steiger contacted the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), which on October 10 asked UWEC Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson to lift the Bible study ban. Receiving no response, FIRE took the case public on November 2, resulting in public outcry and condemnation of the policy from state and national lawmakers. In a November 8 letter, the University of Wisconsin’s general counsel justified the Bible study ban by claiming that UWEC has "consistently followed” a "viewpoint neutral” policy prohibiting RAs from organizing or leading "all organization [sic] or activities.”
Story Continues Below Today, Mike Rindo, executive director of university communications sallied forth with the charge: "It has come to our attention that inaccurate information is being distributed to the media purporting a change in University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire policies and practices regarding certain restrictions placed on resident assistants in the room and residence halls where they live. "In fact, there has been no change in longstanding UW-Eau Claire policies and practices. UW-Eau Claire continues its review of this issue and is seeking additional legal advice regarding its policies ... "The following information that accurately represents University policies and practices:
When asked to respond to the latest salvo, David French, president of Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) told NewsMax: "It is UWEC that is inaccurate. It is not longstanding UWEC policy to prohibit RAs from leading partisan political activities, other ideological activities and sales party events in their room or residence halls where they have supervisory authority over students. "It is our understanding that no such written policy exists, and this statement in fact contradicts the RA contract that every RA must sign with the university. "That contract specifically gives RAs the ‘duty’ to assist even hall ‘political’ activities. Moreover, the university has applauded the official use of RA time for a reading of the ‘Vagina Monologues’ despite the fact that the RA in question admitted that her efforts took her away from her students. "UWEC is spinning this case to avoid the spotlight.”
Editor's note:
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