University of Tennessee removes 'inclusive holiday' post

Source: Nashville Tennessean

The University of Tennessee has removed a Web post about "inclusive holiday celebrations" that had drawn the ire of state lawmakers and the Tennessee Republican Party, which accused the college of trying to "eliminate Christianity" from campus parties.

The post, which came from the Knoxville campus' Office of Diversity and Inclusion, included several recommendations to "ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise," including the suggestion not to participate in "Secret Santa" or "Dreidel" at holiday parties.

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Republican lawmakers were quick to blast the original post last week. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, said that Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, who oversees the Knoxville campus, should resign if he had approved the post. If not, Ramsey said, the entire staff of the diversity office should be fired.

In a resolution passed on Saturday, the Tennessee GOP State Executive Committee said the post was an attempt to "eliminate Christianity" from the holiday season. The committee called for lawmakers to eliminate funding for the Knoxville diversity office.

Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2015/12/08/ut-removes-inclusive-holiday-post/76973454/