fyi - Article Title

November 17, 2000
Volume 38, No. 7

• University's access hinges on key employees

• WebCT puts courses on-line to add teaching time and interactivity

• Zdrastvuyte! Konnichiwa! Learn the meaning at Iowa

• InSite: Show me the money!

• "Quote.....Endquote"

• News Briefs

• Coleman shares news of progress in 'Implementing the Strategic Plan'

• Staff Longevity Awards presented for November

• President's National Medal of Science to physician-scientist Nancy Andreasen

• University provides guidelines on religious diversity

• Bulletin Board

• Calendar

• Deaths

•
Offices and Awards

•
Ph.D. Thesis Defenses

• Pubs. and Creations

• Fund-raising dinner benefits women's organizations

TIAA Cref Unit Values

Staff Development Courses

The University of Iowa Homepage

University provides guidelines on religious diversity

Guidelines on religious diversity were recently sent out to DEOs by Mark Schantz and the University of Iowa vice presidents. The guidelines are designed to remind departments that the University community consists of people who hold a variety of religious and philosophical viewpoints and that departments need to exercise good judgment if they decide to celebrate winter holidays. If they choose to celebrate winter holidays they must do so in a way that does not make it appear the University is endorsing or fostering a particular religion.

The University of Iowa is a community whose members hold a variety of religious and philosophical views. As a public institution we respect the separation of church and state as a constitutional principle and practice, and we hold as one of our core values a commitment to "vigilantly protect free expression of thought."

Institution-sponsored religious symbols are not appropriate in a public institution. We urge departments to be respectful of our diversity of beliefs and refrain from displaying, within public areas in the workplace, any religious symbols that may be seen as implying institutional support for a particular religious viewpoint. Departments should also exercise good judgment and sensitivity concerning the appropriateness of seasonal, non-religious symbols in the workplace. Our concern about the appearance of institutional support for a particular religious viewpoint must be balanced against our respect for the rights of individuals to express religious views in their personal dress and in their personal workplaces that are not located in public areas and do not suggest institutional support.

If departments have any questions about the guidelines or have questions about a particular situation, they may contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (33)5-0705 or the Office of the General Counsel at (33)5-2841.

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