Grand Valley State University: Political Litmus Test in Music Department’s Job Requirements
Category: Freedom of Conscience
Schools:
Grand Valley State University
Response from GVSU Counsel Thomas Butcher
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Victory for Freedom of Conscience at Grand Valley State University: Music Department Axes Political Litmus Test
July 28, 2009
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has promised to remove “demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity” from the stated job requirements for prospective faculty seeking appointment to GVSU’s Department of Music. The department will restate its requirements in terms of relevant experience, not vaguely worded personal commitments regarding a controversial political issue. The change, which came after FIRE asked GVSU to restore freedom of conscience on its campus, is a fresh reminder to public universities that they cannot require prospective faculty to demonstrate personal commitment to “the principles of diversity,” any more than they can require a commitment to “patriotism,” […]
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Victory for Freedom of Conscience at Grand Valley State University: Music Department Axes Political Litmus Test
July 28, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 28, 2009—Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has promised to remove “demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity” from the stated job requirements for faculty seeking appointment to GVSU’s Department of Music. The department will restate its requirements in terms of relevant experience, not vaguely worded personal commitments regarding a controversial political issue. The change came after the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) asked GVSU to restore freedom of conscience on its campus. “We have reminded public universities time and time again that they cannot require that prospective faculty demonstrate personal commitment to ‘the principles […]
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