Franciscan University Of Steubenville: A Haven For Lgbtq+ Students?

The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a conservative Catholic university in Ohio. The university's social work program previously offered a course called SWK 314 Deviant Behavior, which included homosexuality in a list of deviant behaviours such as murder, rape, and robbery. This course description has been criticised by gay alumni, who have asked the school to change it. The university has responded by stating that the term deviant is used in the sociological sense, and that the course covers a range of topics, including heterosexual deviance. However, the group that accredits the social work program has raised concerns about the inclusion of homosexuality in the course description. The university is reviewing the course description to determine if changes are needed.

The university's stance on homosexuality is informed by Catholic Church teachings, which view homosexual acts as intrinsically disordered. However, the university also states that it treats homosexual persons with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. The university's mascot, Baron von Steuben, is believed by historians to be a gay icon, which has led to some irony and debate surrounding the university's stance on homosexuality.

While the university's conservative Catholic values may not align with everyone, it is committed to providing a supportive and academically challenging environment for its students.

The university's conservative Catholic reputation

Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Ohio, United States. It is considered one of the most conservative Catholic universities in the country, and its student body is predominantly Catholic. The university is featured on The Cardinal Newman Society's Newman Guide, which recommends schools that promise a "complete faithful Catholic education". The university's curriculum and policies reflect its conservative Catholic values, and it has been granted exemptions from certain laws that allow it to uphold these values.

The university was established in 1946 as the College of Steubenville by the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. In 1974, Michael Scanlan became president and initiated a series of reforms to restore the school to its Catholic heritage. Scanlan made significant changes to the curriculum, reintroducing a theology program and creating a Human Life Studies minor, unique to the university. He also instituted an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium, required of theology professors.

In addition to its academic focus, the university is known for its liturgies, retreats, and spiritual talks. The campus is centred around Christ the King Chapel, which hosts daily Masses, confessions, and prayer services. The university also offers faith households, encouraging students to form small groups for personal and communal growth, prayer, and recreation.

The university's accreditation

The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Ohio. It is one of the most conservative Catholic universities in the country and is featured on The Cardinal Newman Society's Newman Guide, which recommends schools that promise a "complete faithful Catholic education". The university's mascot, Baron von Steuben, is an 18th-century gay icon.

The university holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and has received specialised accreditation for its nursing programs from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is the accrediting body of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which represents over 790 member schools of nursing across the United States. The accreditation process is a non-governmental peer-review that operates according to nationally recognised standards.

The university is also a member of several associations, including the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Franciscan Federation, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the National Catholic Education Association, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, the National Education Association, and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges.

The university's social work program

The Social Work Program at Franciscan University of Steubenville is committed to training competent and confident Catholic social workers. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education that meets the highest standards in the field.

The curriculum covers a range of topics, including social work policies, theories of human behavior, the integration of biological, sociological, and psychological factors influencing human behavior, social justice issues, and working with diverse populations such as children, the elderly, and those facing death and dying. Students are also taught effective communication skills and how to build relationships with clients.

In addition to coursework, students complete internships in various settings, including medical, mental health, and faith-based facilities, where they work with people from all walks of life. This hands-on experience, coupled with classroom skills training, prepares them for state licensure exams, graduate education, and professional careers.

The program aims to produce social workers who can effectively intervene with clients at all levels, conduct themselves ethically, and honor the dignity of all individuals. It also emphasizes the importance of research in informing generalist practice and understanding the impact of culture, context, and diversity on social work practice and policy development.

The Social Work Program at Franciscan University is a holistic approach to understanding human behavior and helping individuals overcome personal and environmental obstacles. It integrates biological, sociological, psychological, and spiritual components to provide a well-rounded education for future social workers.

The university's gay and lesbian alumni group

Elizabeth Vermilyea, a 1991 graduate from Franciscan University with a psychology degree, was one of the alumni who found the course description offensive. Vermilyea, a lesbian and a psychological professional, objected to the inclusion of mental health and homosexuality in the same list. She stated that the removal of homosexuality from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) indicated that it was not considered an illness.

In response to the alumni's concerns, the university's attorney sent an email warning them against using the university's name or logo in their activities. However, the university also stated that it followed Catholic Church teachings and treated homosexual persons with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity" while holding homosexual acts as "intrinsically disordered". The university further clarified that the term "deviant" was used in a sociological sense to mean "different from the norm".

The alumni group was not satisfied with the university's explanation and reported the course description to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the accrediting body for the university's social work program. Stephen Holloway, the director of accreditation at CSWE, agreed that the inclusion of homosexuality as a deviant behaviour raised a flag and emphasised the importance of understanding diversity and difference for social workers to effectively work with diverse populations.

As a result of the concerns raised by the alumni group, the university reviewed the course description and voted to change it. The new description for Social Work 314, Deviant Behavior, was adopted: "Deviant Behavior examines the complexity of defining deviance and the influences on individuals engaged in deviant or diverse behaviors. The behaviors will be analyzed using micro and macro theories that explain difference and deviance. Students will be challenged to think about their own preconceptions as well as interventions that can be utilized in social work practice."

The university's welcoming atmosphere

The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a conservative Catholic university. It is featured on The Cardinal Newman Society's Newman Guide, which recommends schools that promise a "complete faithful Catholic education". The university's website states that it is passionately Catholic and that it weaves faith and reason into every major and minor.

The university welcomes students from all backgrounds and encourages homeschooled students to apply. It is worth noting that the university does not discriminate based on race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. While it is a Catholic university, not all students are Catholic, and the university's commitment to academic freedom and diversity is evident.

The university's atmosphere is also shaped by its focus on community and friendship. For example, Integratis is a ministry at the university that provides a faithful community for students experiencing same-sex attraction and seeking to live in accordance with the Catholic Church's teachings. The group gathers for weekly community nights, Mass, and formation nights, fostering a sense of belonging and support for its members.

In conclusion, the Franciscan University of Steubenville strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs. While remaining true to its Catholic identity, the university fosters a sense of community and provides the necessary resources to ensure that students feel supported and valued throughout their academic journey.

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