News Releases
Statement from Lane Community College
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Statement on canceled class
Lane Community College officials presented information about the canceled noncredit class on Islam and the college’s plans for future instructional opportunities, at the college’s Board of Education meeting on Dec. 8.
The class was canceled in order to more carefully consider, in consultation with faculty, how best to provide a rich learning experience on religious topics. The decision was made with due diligence and took into account many perspectives and issues including academic freedom, impact on the community, intellectual inquiry, and balance.
Administrators began the process of thoughtful consideration based on the college mission and core values and on student, college and community needs, not in response to any outside group.
Administrators and credit faculty in religious studies are meeting to explore instructional options. Some ideas under discussion include holding academic colloquia and a seminar series in winter or spring term.
The college has received many calls and e-mails about the noncredit class. Public statements at the board meeting expressed support for more careful and thorough academic exploration.
Some misinformation has been posted on websites and reported in the media. To clarify—
- The noncredit class was an 8-hour, personal enrichment class, and was brought to the attention of administration on Dec. 2 after an inquiry from a television station.
- Due to the subject matter and in the context of recent events in Portland and Corvallis, administrators conducted an immediate review and concluded that the most reasonable action was to step back and take more time to give additional thought, consideration, and care in how to provide a rich learning experience in consultation with faculty. The noncredit class was canceled on Dec. 3.
- No one had registered for the class.
- Lane offers about 350 noncredit personal enrichment classes every term. As many as 25 percent are canceled due to low enrollment or for a variety of other reasons.
Lane did not and will not make instructional decisions in response to pressure from any outside group. Instructional decisions are based solely on the college mission and core values and on student, college and community needs.
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Media contact: Joan Aschim, PIO, (541) 463-5591, aschimj@lanecc.edu
