The chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of San Diego released a statement Friday indicating they backed university President Mary Lyons in her recent decision to rescind an invitation to a British theologian over the issue of same-sex marriage.
The Oct. 27 revocation of Tina Beattie's visiting fellowship prompted protests and had some on campus questioning USD's commitment to academic freedom.
Beattie was one of 27 Catholics who signed a letter in the Times of London newspaper in August saying it was ?perfectly proper for Catholics, using fully informed consciences, to support the legal extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples.?
She had been invited by the Frances G. Harpst Center of Catholic Thought and Culture to give a series of lectures over a five-week period at USD starting in November until Lyons rescinded the invitation.
?We discussed with the president her reasoning for the decision which involved the narrow issue of whether an outside scholar should receive an honorary fellowship through the CCTC,? USD trustees chairman Ron Fowler said in a statement. ?The president has authority to make decisions of this nature, and we believe that she made this decision in good faith and with the best interest of the university in mind.?
Beattie continues to maintain that her perspective is compatible with church doctrine.
Lyons? cancellation generated protests on campus, spawned debate in the university?s newspaper and prompted USD?s academic assembly in the College of Arts and Sciences to pass a no-confidence vote against Lyons.
?Concerns have been raised about whether this decision challenges the university's commitment to academic freedom and to a robust climate of free intellectual inquiry. The Board of Trustees reaffirms this commitment and the essential role that academic freedom plays in our vibrant academic community,? Fowler said.
Fowler noted that Lyons has led USD for nearly a decade during an era of extraordinary growth, achievement and inspiration. He said the board encouraged the campus community to ?come together to move this great university forward.?
Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/17/usd-board-trustees-backs-president-fellowship-cont/
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