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Former Student Challenges University's Requirements for Counseling Practicum

By Howard M. Friedman

Last week, a former graduate student at Michigan State University filed suit in a Michigan federal district court alleging that she was unconstitutionally dismissed from the University's graduate Counselling Program solely because her religious beliefs and expression regarding homosexual behavior contradicted those of the University's counseling department. Ward believes that homosexual behavior is immoral and can be changed. In Ward v. Members of the Board of Control of Eastern Michigan University, (ED MI, filed 4/2/2009) (full text of complaint), Julea Ward alleged that disciplinary proceedings were brought against her because in her Counseling Practicum course she referred a homosexual client to another counsellor rather than affirm and validate the client's homosexual conduct. She was told that to remain in the program she would need to undergo a "remediation" program to "see the error of her ways" and change her "belief system" on homosexual conduct. Alliance Defense Fund issued a release announcing the filing of the lawsuit. The University today refused specific comment, but said that it is a "diverse campus with a strong commitment not to discriminate on the basis of gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression." (Ann Arbor News.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on April 06, 2009 (boomark / email).