- Jan 8, 2007
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SPRINGFIELD Missouri State University administrators decided Thursday morning to put a Christmas tree back in the lobby of Strong Hall, along with other religious holiday symbols. A department head removed the 20-foot tree on Monday after a faculty member who is Jewish complained that it was insensitive to other religions.
After learning about the complaint and the removal of the tree, administrators scheduled a meeting for Friday afternoon to discuss appropriate holiday decorations at the school. That meeting is now canceled.
We decided this is the right thing to do, and I am glad there was widespread agreement about it, President Mike. Nietzel said in a news release. Missouri State is an institution at which many different religions are represented, and we try to be sensitive to the many views people hold.
After having had a chance to air this out a bit more and consider the various perspectives of our campus community, I am happy that the Christmas tree will be back up along with the many others that were already on campus.
The tree was back up by 11 a.m. and university employees were decorating it.
Courts have ruled Christmas trees are secular symbols if they do not bear religious decorations. The department head who put the tree up said she didn't use any religious symbols on it.
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/11913886.html
After learning about the complaint and the removal of the tree, administrators scheduled a meeting for Friday afternoon to discuss appropriate holiday decorations at the school. That meeting is now canceled.
We decided this is the right thing to do, and I am glad there was widespread agreement about it, President Mike. Nietzel said in a news release. Missouri State is an institution at which many different religions are represented, and we try to be sensitive to the many views people hold.
After having had a chance to air this out a bit more and consider the various perspectives of our campus community, I am happy that the Christmas tree will be back up along with the many others that were already on campus.
The tree was back up by 11 a.m. and university employees were decorating it.
Courts have ruled Christmas trees are secular symbols if they do not bear religious decorations. The department head who put the tree up said she didn't use any religious symbols on it.
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/11913886.html
