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Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities president: Gag laws limit religious liberty By Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. Governors and state legislators are introducing legislation to prevent college campuses from teaching about the ongoing legacy of racism or the presence of LGTBQ individuals among our community. Some of these new “gag laws” forbid academic programs, courses or even syllabus readings on these topics. Some restrict campus training efforts on cultural sensitivity. Others forbid the hiring of diversity, equity and inclusion (D.E.I.) officers on campus. The “what ifs” are startling. Some of these proposed laws would remove partial or all state funding. Others enable third parties—such as students or outside organizations—to sue the campuses for damages. In cases where state authorities have a voice in choosing the board or the president, those individuals’ employment is put at risk. To date, gag laws have gone into effect only at public universities. Attempts to subject private universities to these proposed laws have failed in the state legislatures. Fresh attempts to target private universities are being made, however. For us, this is also a matter of freedom of religion. Read more here... Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. is the president of the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities (ACCU)
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities president: Gag laws limit religious liberty
By Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M.
Governors and state legislators are introducing legislation to prevent college campuses from teaching about the ongoing legacy of racism or the presence of LGTBQ individuals among our community. Some of these new “gag laws” forbid academic programs, courses or even syllabus readings on these topics. Some restrict campus training efforts on cultural sensitivity. Others forbid the hiring of diversity, equity and inclusion (D.E.I.) officers on campus.
The “what ifs” are startling. Some of these proposed laws would remove partial or all state funding. Others enable third parties—such as students or outside organizations—to sue the campuses for damages. In cases where state authorities have a voice in choosing the board or the president, those individuals’ employment is put at risk.
To date, gag laws have gone into effect only at public universities. Attempts to subject private universities to these proposed laws have failed in the state legislatures. Fresh attempts to target private universities are being made, however.
For us, this is also a matter of freedom of religion.
Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. is the president of the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities (ACCU)