The College Fix

The Student Government Association at Saint Louis University has passed a resolution that restricts who can use the university’s “Oath of Inclusion.”

The resolution outlines that “non-students” at the Jesuit university are suspended from using the oath, Amy Lutz of Young America’s Foundation reports:

This means faculty, professors, administrators, and others who have oft used the manifesto in class, on syllabi, and in special departmental programs no longer can. What results is more of a blanket campus-wide ban, with the only people “allowed” to use the oath being students (most of whom go months without even glancing at it).

The Oath, which Lutz writes was created while she was a student at SLU, calls on students to “embrace people for the diversity of their identities,” work for social justice, challenge their worldview and recognize the dignity of all individuals.

However, Lutz writes some students feel that’s not enough:

And yet, many SLU students are claiming that the Oath doesn’t go far enough. Some claimed that it was used to “deceive minority students.” [SGA] Senator Noelle Janak claimed that she “hears over and over that first year black students feel they are being tricked and lied to,” referring to the Oath.

The University News, SLU’s campus newspaper, reported SGA claimed “that several departments were using the Oath in promotional materials to deceive minority students.”

“Because the Oath of Inclusion was an initiative started by students for students, many members of Senate and their constituents find it troubling that the Oath is used by departments to solely gain greater representation of minority students on campus,” said SGA President Kevin Lynch.

Though, it appears SGA may allow the use of the Oath of Inclusion on a case-by-case basis, according to The U. News:

However, the Oath’s use has not been suspended without exception. Lynch proposed the creation of a task force, named the Student Government Association Task Force for the Student Inclusion Initiative, which would hear requests from administrative offices to use the Oath in promotional materials.

However, Lutz of Young America’s Foundation, believes the Oath of Inclusion isn’t really needed on the Catholic campus:

But here’s the kicker. An “Oath of Inclusion,” is far from necessary on a campus like Saint Louis University, or most campuses for that matter. The Constitution of the United States already protects our most valuable rights. Those rights aren’t supposed to halt at the schoolhouse doors.

Read Lutz’s article and The University News article.

MORE: Saint Louis University to erect monument honoring anti-police protest

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