Former graduate student sues faculty members
Brian Bultema
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: News
Jeffrey Ford, a former PUC graduate student, is suing four faculty members for alleged discrimination charges spanning since 2003.
The lawsuit states Ford was discriminated against "because of his religious and ideological beliefs and [the defendants] have violated his constitutional rights by punishing him for engaging in constitutionally protected expression of those beliefs."
The suit also states Ford's right to free speech was allegedly violated, his right to practice religion was retaliated against, he was denied equal protection under laws and excluded as a complete member from PUC.
The suit was filed Aug. 17 against Michael Flannery, the department head for the behavioral sciences; Joseph Wetchler, professor and director of the marriage and family therapy program; Lorna Hecker, professor of the marriage and family therapy program; Terry Trepper, a former professor for marriage and family therapy program.
David French, senior counsel at Alliance Defense Fund, said Ford contacted him a couple months ago to pursue action after enduring harassment.
According to French, Ford allegedly suffered discrimination throughout his academic performance, beginning with the interviews given to applicants for the program.
Ford has been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 1986. Ford alleges the defendants tried to convince him to quit his religious views and change them to fit the traditional student's beliefs over a length of time.
As a Mormon, Ford follows teachings like sexual abstinence until marriage and beliefs that homosexuality is sinful.
According to the lawsuit, the suit alleges the defendants felt Ford could not act as an unbiased professional because his religious stance opposed the practice the program followed.
The Student Handbook of Marriage and Family Therapy follows the "2004 American Psychological Association resolution of supporting same-sex marriage, and gay and lesbian parenthood."
The lawsuit states Ford was discriminated against "because of his religious and ideological beliefs and [the defendants] have violated his constitutional rights by punishing him for engaging in constitutionally protected expression of those beliefs."
The suit also states Ford's right to free speech was allegedly violated, his right to practice religion was retaliated against, he was denied equal protection under laws and excluded as a complete member from PUC.
The suit was filed Aug. 17 against Michael Flannery, the department head for the behavioral sciences; Joseph Wetchler, professor and director of the marriage and family therapy program; Lorna Hecker, professor of the marriage and family therapy program; Terry Trepper, a former professor for marriage and family therapy program.
David French, senior counsel at Alliance Defense Fund, said Ford contacted him a couple months ago to pursue action after enduring harassment.
According to French, Ford allegedly suffered discrimination throughout his academic performance, beginning with the interviews given to applicants for the program.
Ford has been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 1986. Ford alleges the defendants tried to convince him to quit his religious views and change them to fit the traditional student's beliefs over a length of time.
As a Mormon, Ford follows teachings like sexual abstinence until marriage and beliefs that homosexuality is sinful.
According to the lawsuit, the suit alleges the defendants felt Ford could not act as an unbiased professional because his religious stance opposed the practice the program followed.
The Student Handbook of Marriage and Family Therapy follows the "2004 American Psychological Association resolution of supporting same-sex marriage, and gay and lesbian parenthood."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
FRTT
FRTT
posted 9/04/07 @ 1:21 PM CST
Seems like PUC is host to a lot of discrimination towards students and faculty. PUC is the recipient of another lawsuit...
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-inndce/case_no-2:2007cv00294/case_id-51898/
davey thompson
posted 9/04/07 @ 2:18 PM CST
Someone needs to watch the southpark episode about mormon religion
spdavey
spdavey
posted 9/04/07 @ 2:22 PM CST
someone needs to watch the southpark episode about mormon religion
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