RA Bible study ban draws FIRE's ire
Resident assistant's objection to housing policy brings
DJ Slater
Issue date: 11/7/05 Section: Campus News
It never struck senior Lance Steiger as an activity that could lead to disciplinary action; it was just something he was accustomed to doing on a regular basis.
Every Tuesday last academic year, Steiger would take a Bible down to the basement of Horan Hall with some students, and they would look at a chapter or verse from in it and try to apply it to their lives.
Then, while spending the summer back home in Cannon Falls, Minn., a letter from Deborah Newman, an associate director of housing, informed him that if he continued with these actions, he would face disciplinary action from the university.
"The letter was a surprise because there had never been any sort of talk about it before about it being illegal," Steiger said.
He sent an e-mail to Newman and, when the response remained the same, he contacted the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. Now, FIRE, Steiger and university officials are debating the issue, which has gained the attention of area representatives and the national media.
After FIRE, a national non-profit organization, discovered this incident, it sent a letter to Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson, requesting that she end the ban on RAs leading Bible studies in their rooms and residence halls.
Rep. Rob Kreibich, R-Eau Claire, said he currently is consulting the Legislature's lawyers regarding the legality of the university's policy, which he said is only an oral one and is not written into any official university policy.
"I'm just concerned. I'd rather see UW-Eau Claire making headlines around the country for the material science program or the nursing program or the education curriculum," Kreibich said. "I just wish we'd be making national headlines for something other than this."
Mike Rindo, the executive director of university communications, said Larson called for an "internal review of UW-Eau Claire's policies and practices."
"The university is currently gathering information and seeking advice from legal counsel to ensure UW-Eau Claire practices and policies comply with legal standards," Rindo said. "Information will be shared with the campus community when the review is completed and decisions regarding the policy are made."
Every Tuesday last academic year, Steiger would take a Bible down to the basement of Horan Hall with some students, and they would look at a chapter or verse from in it and try to apply it to their lives.
Then, while spending the summer back home in Cannon Falls, Minn., a letter from Deborah Newman, an associate director of housing, informed him that if he continued with these actions, he would face disciplinary action from the university.
"The letter was a surprise because there had never been any sort of talk about it before about it being illegal," Steiger said.
He sent an e-mail to Newman and, when the response remained the same, he contacted the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. Now, FIRE, Steiger and university officials are debating the issue, which has gained the attention of area representatives and the national media.
After FIRE, a national non-profit organization, discovered this incident, it sent a letter to Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson, requesting that she end the ban on RAs leading Bible studies in their rooms and residence halls.
Rep. Rob Kreibich, R-Eau Claire, said he currently is consulting the Legislature's lawyers regarding the legality of the university's policy, which he said is only an oral one and is not written into any official university policy.
"I'm just concerned. I'd rather see UW-Eau Claire making headlines around the country for the material science program or the nursing program or the education curriculum," Kreibich said. "I just wish we'd be making national headlines for something other than this."
Mike Rindo, the executive director of university communications, said Larson called for an "internal review of UW-Eau Claire's policies and practices."
"The university is currently gathering information and seeking advice from legal counsel to ensure UW-Eau Claire practices and policies comply with legal standards," Rindo said. "Information will be shared with the campus community when the review is completed and decisions regarding the policy are made."
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