Service Learning proposal completed
New list of specific guidelines included to end religion debate
Brian Reisinger
Issue date: 4/7/05 Section: Campus News
In addition, Mowry said, one person's common good may be different from that of another. Under that logic, promoting a certain political or religious viewpoint is not necessarily in the common good of society as a whole, he said.
Mowry listed projects focusing on poverty or environmental issues as two examples of undisputable positive contributions to society.
Kent Syverson, professor of geology, said the committee introduced restrictions on political activities to justify the original restrictions on religious activities, which he has disputed.
"(The committee) had to do that because the purpose of this all along has been to prohibit religious activity," he said.
Syverson, a University Senate member, said he opposes restricting both religious and political activities, because doing so limits the flow of ideas.
"I think this represents a timid intellectual response to different ideas in the university," he said.
Another major addition the committee has introduced is a statement protecting students, mentors and recipients from discrimination.
The statement, Mowry said, is based on "accepted affirmative action" policies.
UW-Eau Claire will not allow community partners (the people or organizations collaborating with students on projects) to discriminate against students, mentors, or recipients based on characteristics protected under affirmative action, according to the guidelines.
"If they choose to discriminate ... we'll have to negotiate," Mowry said, explaining that cooperation may be halted if an agreement cannot be reached.
Mowry said he hopes to distribute a guidebook to community partners, outlining university policies on various aspects of service-learning projects. He also intends to publish "frequently asked questions" for students to refer to while considering potential projects.
University Senate will first review the proposal at its April 12 meeting, which begins at 3 p.m. in the Tamarack Room, Davies Center.
Mowry listed projects focusing on poverty or environmental issues as two examples of undisputable positive contributions to society.
Kent Syverson, professor of geology, said the committee introduced restrictions on political activities to justify the original restrictions on religious activities, which he has disputed.
"(The committee) had to do that because the purpose of this all along has been to prohibit religious activity," he said.
Syverson, a University Senate member, said he opposes restricting both religious and political activities, because doing so limits the flow of ideas.
"I think this represents a timid intellectual response to different ideas in the university," he said.
Another major addition the committee has introduced is a statement protecting students, mentors and recipients from discrimination.
The statement, Mowry said, is based on "accepted affirmative action" policies.
UW-Eau Claire will not allow community partners (the people or organizations collaborating with students on projects) to discriminate against students, mentors, or recipients based on characteristics protected under affirmative action, according to the guidelines.
"If they choose to discriminate ... we'll have to negotiate," Mowry said, explaining that cooperation may be halted if an agreement cannot be reached.
Mowry said he hopes to distribute a guidebook to community partners, outlining university policies on various aspects of service-learning projects. He also intends to publish "frequently asked questions" for students to refer to while considering potential projects.
University Senate will first review the proposal at its April 12 meeting, which begins at 3 p.m. in the Tamarack Room, Davies Center.
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