Pace University Profs Call On University
To Drop Ties With Med School
Over Gay Club Refusal
by 365Gay.com from the Web, April 15, 2005
White Plains, NY, April 14 -- York) Pace University law professors are calling on the university to sever ties with New York Medical College over the college's refusal to recognize an LGBT student group.
The Pace Law School faculty have voted 30 - 2 to end a joint degree program with the college.
"The Faculty resolves that the University immediately formally disaffiliate the School of Law from the existing joint degree program with New York Medical College because of our profound ethical and professional disagreement with New York Medical College's position with regard to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students at their school," the faculty resolution said.
The joint degree program started in the fall of 2003.
The final decision on whether to sever ties with New York Medical College will rest with Pace University President David. A. Caputo.
At the beginning of this academic year, the New York Medical college's LGBT student group, previously called the “Student Help” organization, changed its name to the “NYMC Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender People in Medicine.”
The new name, the students said, is consistent with many other “LGBTPM” groups associated with the American Medical Students Association, which itself has a national LGBT People in Medicine caucus.
But, after the NYMC student group changed its name, NYMC’s administration revoked the group’s charter.
Unlike other student groups, the group will not receive funding, may not use space on campus for its activities, and may not use the college’s e-mail system.
In a statement Dean Dr. Ralph O'Connell said "It was clear that the organization and its leader would advocate and promote activities inconsistent with the values of NYMC."
New York Medical College is associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York.
The Medical College was criticized in January by Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano who asked for an investigation by the Human Rights Commission.
Last month the commission ruled that the college could not be prosecuted under human rights laws because it is affiliated with the Catholic Church.
Westchester County health commissioner, Joshua Lipsman, former executive director of New York City's Gay Men's Health Crisis, resigned his teaching positions with the college to protest the college's action.
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