VU RFRA Statement

On March 30, Mark Heckler, President of Valparaiso University in northwest Indiana, issued a statement on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. "I call upon our elected leaders and our governor not only to amend this legislation, but also to use this opportunity to advocate for the values held by all those who strive to make Indiana a welcoming and inclusive state."

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VU RFRA Statement

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Gmail - Fwd: Statement on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act 3/30/15, 1:19 PM

Kimberly Bellware <[email protected]>

Fwd: Statement on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act

1 message

Heath Carter <[email protected]> Mon, Mar 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM

To: Kimberly Bellware <[email protected]>

Here you go!

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: President Heckler <[email protected]>

Date: March 30, 2015 at 11:43:16 AM CDT
To: Heath Carter <[email protected]>
Subject: Statement on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

Valparaiso University is constituted by people from different
backgrounds, belief systems, and cultures joined together in
the common pursuit of truth. As the University’s president, I
am conscious of the importance of cultivating an environment
in which all are free to engage in open dialogue and
expression while treating one another with dignity and respect.
Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D.
President
These values run deeply throughout our community of
Valparaiso University students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

During the past week, many of these members have

expressed concerns about the impact Indiana’s Religious
Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) may have on the state of
Indiana and on this University. In particular, concerns have
been raised about the University’s position on non-
discrimination. While this University does not routinely issue
statements concerning legislative actions, when the
University’s position on non-discrimination is called into
question, as Valpo’s president, I am compelled to respond.

Valparaiso University stands with numerous Indiana

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Gmail - Fwd: Statement on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act 3/30/15, 1:19 PM

organizations, businesses, and communities of learning in its

longstanding commitment to renounce discrimination.
Regardless of personal opinions about the RFRA, we must
engage in open and respectful dialogue among people who
may hold fundamentally opposing and irreconcilable beliefs.
We must find a way to live and work alongside one another in
community. We must love one another. As Paul writes in
Galatians 5, “For the whole law is summed in a single
commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

Valparaiso University was one of the nation’s first

coeducational institutions, in a time when women faced
educational discrimination. Valpo welcomed African-Americans
and participated actively in the civil rights movement. Valpo
commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day when Indiana's
legislature would not recognize this holiday. Valparaiso
University’s Board-approved non-discrimination statement
welcomes all people regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender,
sexual orientation, or religion. As an independent Lutheran
University, we will continue to welcome people of all faiths,
cultures, and walks of life to join us in this community of
dialogue across difference under our distinctive Lutheran
model of education. And we will continue this commitment
even when our elected leaders make decisions, like the RFRA,
that operate in contradiction to our values. We will seek to
model for our state and nation what it can be like to live in a
community of love and mutual respect.

I call upon our elected leaders and our governor not only to
amend this legislation, but also to use this opportunity to
advocate for the values held by all those who strive to make
Indiana a welcoming and inclusive state.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D.

President

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