Dear Editor,
Recently, there was a student kicked out of college for being gay. The student's sexual orientation was discovered by the college through his MySpace Web page. The college that committed this discriminating act is the University of the Cumberlands, formerly Cumberland College. The school prides itself on its image as a "Christian" institution.
I attended this college before coming to Ball State for graduate school. The views of this school do not reflect my views or the views of the majority of its graduates. I am truly embarrassed by the school's actions. The school has singled out this student for his sexual preference and is blindly assuming there are not others on campus of the same sexual orientation or others who engage in sexual behavior.
The college is leaning on the rules in its 2005-06 student handbook which states: "Any student who engages in or promotes sexual behavior not consistent with Christian principles (including sex outside marriage and homosexuality) may be suspended or asked to withdraw." This was not spelled out in the handbook when this student began attending the college in 2003; it was only recently added.
The president appears to be completely oblivious to issues of diversity in the world around him. The president said of the student body: "At University of the Cumberlands, we hold students to a higher standard than does society in general. ... University of the Cumberlands isn't for everyone. We tell prospective students about our high standards before they come. There are places students with predispositions can go, such as San Francisco and the left coast or to many of the state schools." This statement gives you a sense of the utter ignorance and bigotry of this college and the its president, Jim Taylor.
The school's view on this matter paints a picture of a homophobic and insensitive atmosphere at this so-called "Christian" institution.
I love my undergraduate institution, but I am ashamed by the school's policy and opinion on homosexuality. I cannot stand up for the school or support its statements or actions on this matter.
This is a perfect example of how discrimination and hatred are all around us. The recent Stop Hate campaign on campus helped raise awareness about these very issues here at Ball State University. Hate and discrimination do exist in our world and on college campuses. Some campuses keep these issues quiet, while some just voice their discrimination a little more loudly than others - like Cumberland did.
If you would like to write the university about this issue, please feel free, as many others have already done: Write to the Office of the President at 6191 College Station Dr. in Williamsburg, Ky.
Fred Campbell, graduate student
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