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

Page 1 of 3https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=c01cf1d023&view=pt&search=inbox&th=14c6be73a654c920&siml=14c6be73a654c920

Kimberly Bellware <k.s.bellware@gmail.com>

Fwd: Statement on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act1 message

Heath Carter <heath.carter@valpo.edu> Mon, Mar 30, 2015 at 1:17 PMTo: Kimberly Bellware <k.s.bellware@gmail.com>

Here you go!

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: President Heckler <presidential.mailings@valpo.edu>Date: March 30, 2015 at 11:43:16 AM CDTTo: Heath Carter <Heath.Carter@valpo.edu>Subject: Statement on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D.PresidentValparaiso University

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

Valparaiso University is constituted by people from differentbackgrounds, belief systems, and cultures joined together inthe common pursuit of truth. As the University’s president, Iam conscious of the importance of cultivating an environmentin which all are free to engage in open dialogue andexpression while treating one another with dignity and respect.These values run deeply throughout our community ofstudents, alumni, faculty, and staff. During the past week, many of these members haveexpressed concerns about the impact Indiana’s ReligiousFreedom Restoration Act (RFRA) may have on the state ofIndiana and on this University. In particular, concerns havebeen raised about the University’s position on non-discrimination. While this University does not routinely issuestatements concerning legislative actions, when theUniversity’s position on non-discrimination is called intoquestion, as Valpo’s president, I am compelled to respond. Valparaiso University stands with numerous Indiana

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

Page 2 of 3https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=c01cf1d023&view=pt&search=inbox&th=14c6be73a654c920&siml=14c6be73a654c920

organizations, businesses, and communities of learning in itslongstanding commitment to renounce discrimination.Regardless of personal opinions about the RFRA, we mustengage in open and respectful dialogue among people whomay hold fundamentally opposing and irreconcilable beliefs.We must find a way to live and work alongside one another incommunity. We must love one another. As Paul writes inGalatians 5, “For the whole law is summed in a singlecommandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Valparaiso University was one of the nation’s firstcoeducational institutions, in a time when women facededucational discrimination. Valpo welcomed African-Americansand participated actively in the civil rights movement. Valpocommemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day when Indiana'slegislature would not recognize this holiday. ValparaisoUniversity’s Board-approved non-discrimination statementwelcomes all people regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender,sexual orientation, or religion. As an independent LutheranUniversity, we will continue to welcome people of all faiths,cultures, and walks of life to join us in this community ofdialogue across difference under our distinctive Lutheranmodel of education. And we will continue this commitmenteven when our elected leaders make decisions, like the RFRA,that operate in contradiction to our values. We will seek tomodel for our state and nation what it can be like to live in acommunity of love and mutual respect.

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

Sincerely,

Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D.President