Press Release: Delaware Association of Scholars on Univ. of Delaware ResLife Program

(In my capacity as vice president of the Delaware Association of Scholars (DAS), I'm posting a new DAS press release regarding the University of Delaware's Office of Residence Life.)

PRESS RELEASE

DAS Welcomes ACTA's Support

March 28, 2008

The Delaware Association of Scholars welcomes the American Council of Trustees and Alumni's letter to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees.

We share ACTA's deep concerns regarding the UD Residence Life's residential "curricular" program.

No Residence Life program, especially at a public university, should attempt to shape the souls of students. Such a program, inculcating beliefs, attitudes and actions, violates the First Amendment, which UD, as a public university, is bound to protect and which it failed to protect in its now-suspended program.

Unfortunately, as far as we have been able to determine, none of the several proposed programs which Residence Life has drafted are significantly different from the discredited program they are intended to replace. The differences are merely superficial and cosmetic. Though the violations are better disguised, the proposed programs are still exercises in ideological "education."

We therefore join ACTA in urging the UD Board of Trustees to ensure that UD's new Residence Life program be a traditional residential program: one respecting the free speech, privacy and freedom of conscience of all students.

Jan H. Blits
President, Delaware Association of Scholars
219A Willard Hall
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-1649
jblits@udel.edu