Purdue News
Purdue News
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University responds to court's 'Corpus Christi' rulingThe U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Indiana today (Friday, 7/20) denied a request for a preliminary injunction to halt the production of a student class production of the play, "Corpus Christi," at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). William C. Lee, chief judge of the U.S. District Court, found there had been no violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for university relations at Purdue University, which administers the IPFW campus, said, "We are pleased that the courts agreed with the university's position. "The university has recognized its students' right to free speech, and IPFW's conduct at all times has been neutral to the viewpoints expressed in the play. The university also has taken steps to communicate this neutrality by its plans to publish a disclaimer in the playbill, by allowing the distribution of counter viewpoints during the production, and with plans to hold a public forum at which interested persons may express their viewpoints about the play. "If the court's decision is appealed, the university will continue to defend its position vigorously." The play, chosen for production by a student as his senior project , is scheduled for six performances Aug. 10-18.
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