Kicked out for same-sex relationship, Grace University student challenges paying back aid

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

A woman kicked out of Omaha's Grace University says she is being told she must pay back $6,300 for financial aid she had been awarded.

In response, Danielle Powell, who was kicked out for a same-sex relationship relationship, has launched an online petition with her now-wife, Michelle Rogers, to pressure the school to forgive the debt. The cause has been taken up by change.org, among other groups.

When Grace found out about her same-sex relationship in early 2011, it brought Powell before a judiciary board to decide whether she should be allowed to stay enrolled. The university ultimately decided in March 2011 to suspend her and not allow her to finish the semester. Grace later decided not to reinstate her.

Michael James, executive vice president at Grace, said in a prepared statement that privacy laws prevent him from discussing any student's particular case.


FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20130612/NEWS/130619859/1685#grace-university-student-kicked-out-for-same-sex-relationship-petitions-paying-back-scholarship

[sakabatou]

1. Lemme guess, it's a private religious school?

[niyad]

2. "fundamentalist christian university" that receives federal funds

[sakabatou]

3. If they do get federal funds, they couldn't pull this shit without reprimand

[alp227]

4. Not sure if Title IX extends to sexual orientation.

"Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance." (http://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/ocr/sexoverview.html) Not sure if that extends to sexual orientation though.

Furthermore, even Liberty University (that diploma mill founded by Jerry Falwell) gets federal financial aid subsidies!

[alp227]

5. Well, other colleges require repayment of financial aid for withdrawn students.

For example this jr. college in Kansas states: "Withdrawal and Non-Attendance May Affect The Aid You Must Pay Back"

A similar policy applies to this junior college in Texas.

As much as I dislike this so-called university's policy on gay students, I think it'll be VERY hard for this student to win a lawsuit.

[Omaha Steve]

6. She didn't withdraw

She was kicked out.

[Alameda]

7. exactly,

and that is precisely the difference and the reason she should not have to pay. Why on earth did she decide to go to such a school?

[alp227]

8. Maybe because of parental pressure

Maybe her parents would only pay for her tuition if she attended one of those institutions of higher proselytization.

[XemaSab]

10. In the student handbook, it says

Sexual Misconduct

Outside of heterosexual marriage, interpersonal sexual activity in all of its forms is sin according
to God’s Word. Any student involved in sexually immoral behavior, including premarital sex,
adultery, and homosexual acts, is at minimum placed on University Probation and may be
subject to a Judiciary Hearing (see pp 18-20).

When she enrolled at the university, she agreed to abide by the terms of the student handbook.

She violated the terms, they kicked her out.

[RILib]

11. I'm sure they do the same to students in opposite gender relationships, not.

I wouldn't pay them back a dime.

[Omaha Steve]

12. Today's OWH Grace University's moral stance isn't that unusual

Grace U had an unmarried mom showing at graduation a few years ago and did nothing BTW.


http://www.omaha.com/article/20130614/NEWS/706149894/1685#grace-university-s-moral-stance-isn-t-that-unusual

By Paul Goodsell

The expulsion of a lesbian student by Grace University in Omaha may seem like the latest skirmish in the cultural war over homosexuality.

But Ronald Kroll, director of a group that accredits Bible-based colleges, said the real battle waged by religious-oriented schools like Grace is to encourage “moral purity before God” in all aspects of students' lives.

Similarly, Omaha's Creighton University, a Jesuit institution, also prohibits all sexual activity outside of marriage as a violation of the school's value system. Students who are caught breaking the rules are subject to discipline, which can include expulsion but rarely does.

“It is in direct conflict with the teaching of the Catholic Church,” said John Cernech, Creighton vice president for student life. “We make it very clear upfront. I think the students that come to Creighton understand that.”

FULL story at link.

[Rowdyboy]

9. Wouldn't give the assholes a nickle. Fuck 'em