I was let go from an adjunct online teaching job at a community college in my state because I was denied the religious exemption that I applied for. The HR Dept. there is very smug. So I filed a complaint with the State Civil Liberties Dept back in Jan 2022. The school actually hired a lawyer to deal with it (probably cost them more than my semester pay). I had to file so much paperwork for months and have not heard anything back from them since Dec 2022. Well, today I received notice from them that I have been found to have "Probable Cause" and they are scheduling a "Conciliation." I have no idea what that will do for me (someone else has my job) but it feels good to at least hear that I got this far. It was so much paperwork that I wanted to give up. Looking over all that paperwork, I cannot believe I did it.
We are looking forward to celebrating with our graduates at this week’s Graduate and Undergraduate commencement ceremonies. These events mark a significant milestone for our graduates and their families and are planned to ensure each graduate has the opportunity to cross the stage and be individually recognized.
The University will not tolerate any disruptions to these important ceremonies. Disturbances of any kind will result in immediate removal from the facility for anyone involved, including graduates and guests.
Signs, flags, backpacks, noisemakers, balloons and selfie sticks will not be permitted inside the venues.
I understand that this is a challenging and emotional time for many due to events around the world, but commencement is neither the time nor the place for the kind of disruptive behavior we have seen at other universities.
The Class of 2024 has persisted through COVID and other challenges to make it to this moment when they can step into the spotlight and be acknowledged for their accomplishments. I won't allow anyone to take that away from them and their families.
It was beautiful. It never happened before. My town has become much less Christian and so I was surprised. Yes, we are still here!
