New York College Punishes Christian Student for Beliefs - ACLJ Demands End to Discrimination

"This is another troubling example of how some in the academic world believe it's acceptable to violate the First Amendment rights afforded to all students." - Jay Sekulow, chief counsel, ACLJ

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2008—Gina DeLuca is a student at Suffolk County Community College in New York-she's also a Christian who has seen her grades drop after being labeled "closed-minded" by a professor who requires students to acknowledge the possibility that God does not exist in order to participate in a philosophy class. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is now demanding that the college end its discriminatory actions against DeLuca or face a federal lawsuit.

"The actions by this professor clearly reflect hostility toward religion," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. "To require students to acknowledge the possibility that God does not exist in order to participate in a class is not only wrong, but clearly violates the constitutional rights of students who hold religious beliefs."

In a letter to Suffolk County Attorney Christine Malafi, the ACLJ explains that the problem began when DeLuca took a philosophy class which is required for graduation. DeLuca, who has been a student at SCCC for two years, has maintained a 3.9 GPA and received good grades in the philosophy class until her religious beliefs became known.

The ACLJ letter explains that "the grades she received on class assignments dropped significantly once God and religion became prominent topics of class discussion and her refusal to compromise her Christian faith became apparent" and that the professor "believes that it is his job to get students to change their own personal viewpoints or state that they are unsure of whether their own personal beliefs are correct."

In addition to giving DeLuca lower grades, the ACLJ contends that the professor labeled her "closed-minded," "uncritical," "hurtful" and "blinded by belief" simply because she did not adopt his way of thinking.

The ACLJ argues that while a college professor may encourage students to be informed about viewpoints and arguments that differ from their own, "it is inappropriate-and unconstitutional-for a public college professor to make passing a required course (and thus graduation) contingent upon a student's willingness to express agreement with philosophical viewpoints that conflict with her religious beliefs."

The ACLJ is asking the school to end this discriminatory action against DeLuca, provide assurances that her constitutional rights will be preserved, and advise the professor about the First Amendment rights of students. The ACLJ is demanding that the school provide these assurances by April 14 or face a federal lawsuit.

The ACLJ defends the constitutional rights of students nationwide and most recently secured a victory for an Arizona college journalism student who faced discrimination - and a failing grade - because of her Christian faith. After the ACLJ intervened on behalf of that student, the school reversed itself and awarded her an occupational journalism certificate in addition to her associate's degree.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C. The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org. The ACLJ's online newsroom can be accessed at www.DeMossNewsPond.com/ACLJ. 

-30-