ETHICS & TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY: Trinity's Community Covenant

Trinity's Community Covenant

Periodically, the human and civil rights of a community seem to be in conflict. Such is the case with Trinity Western University's (TWU) Community Covenant that requires students to refrain from engaging in premarital sex. Further, it stipulates that sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage between one man and one woman. Many believe that such a requirement is unacceptable and that TWU should be censored for such a requirement and that its law school graduates should not be allowed to practice law.

Our public universities do not make students sign such covenants. Students are not restricted from attending if they are gay, sexist, homophobic, or racist - all my attend. This reflects the broader community's tolerance of divergent views.

Yet, the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has taken the position that TWU, a private university, has a right under Canadian law to make such a requirement.

Questions:

• Why did the BCCLA take the position that TWU has a right to require the Covenant?

• Is the BCCLA position consistent with requirements of other professional schools such as teacher training programs who have similar requirements of their students?

• What has been the position of the courts on this matter?

• As there are few positions open in Canadian law schools, does TWU's position discriminate because it closes off educational opportunities to LGBT students?

About our Speaker

Micheal Vonn is a lawyer and has been the Policy Director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association since 2004, and an Advisory Board Member of Privacy International.

Micheal has been an Adjunct Professor at UBC in the Faculty of Law and in the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies where she taught civil liberties and information ethics. She is a regular guest instructor for the College of Health Disciplines Interdisciplinary Elective in HIV/AIDS Care.

Ms. Vonn was a recipient of the 2010 AccolAIDS award for social and political advocacy which benefits communities affected with HIV/AIDS. She offers speeches on a variety of civil liberties topics including privacy, national security, policing, surveillance and free speech.

Venue

Alliance for Arts and Culture

938 Howe St Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9