Cases

Ward v. Polite

Summary

Julea Ward was a student in Eastern Michigan University’s masters program for counseling, but she was expelled from the program in 2009 when she referred a potential client who wanted advice on his same-sex relationship to another counselor. ADF filed a lawsuit on Julea’s behalf. The Sixth Circuit ruled in Julea’s favor, stating “tolerance is a two way street.” The University then settled the case by paying her a sum and removing the expulsion from her record.

Links

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/client-stories-details/julea-ward

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/case-details/ward-v.-polite

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/faith-and-justice-details/updates-volume-iii-issue-3

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/faith-and-justice-details/updates-volume-iii-issue-2

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2011/11/21/accommodation-of-conscience-an-american-tradition

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/faith-and-justice-details/updates-volume-v-issue-2

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2016/08/25/tbt-why-one-university-student-stuck-to-her-beliefs-no-matter-what

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2012/12/17/a-resounding-and-lasting-victory-for-religious-liberty-on-college-campuses

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2010/07/27/a-disappointing-ruling-in-michigan

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2012/01/31/emu-learns-that-tolerance-is-a-two-way-street-victory-in-ypsilanti

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/will-university-s-expulsion-of-christian-grad-student-stand-

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/6th-circuit-to-emu---tolerance-is-a-two-way-street-

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/emu-student-achieves-final-victory-after-court-rules--tolerance-is-a-two-way-street-

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/will-emu-get-away-with-expelling-student-who-wouldn-t-violate-her-beliefs-to-get-a-degree-

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/adf-to-appeal-ruling-that-allows-eastern-michigan-u--to-expel-christian-students-for-holding-to-beliefs

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/faith-and-justice-details/price-of-values

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/e--mich--univ--ousts-student-for-not-affirming-homosexual-behavior

http://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2013/08/03/forcing-tolerance-thought-reform-at-eastern-michigan-university

http://www.becketlaw.org/case/ward-v-wilbanks/

Details

Institution: Eastern Michigan University

Location: Belleville, MI

Topic: Compelled Speech of Belief

Intervention: Litigation

Outcome: Victory

FREE SPEECH IN DIVIDED TIMES: THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION?