2008 Woodie Awards
Professor's pre-class prayers elicit complaint from parent
Administration 'looking into' situation, maintains that Marist is inclusive for all
Keara Driscoll
Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: News
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Otte has performed her pre-class prayer ritual since she began teaching at Marist in 1999, but recently her actions have attracted criticism.
Last month, Otte received her second complaint in seven years when a parent contacted the dean of the school of Social and Behavioral Sciences to voice her distress over Otte's actions. Otte was given the specifics of official complaint made by the anonymous parent, but was told by the college administration that it involved the parent's concern with Marist's claim to be a secular institution.
No official action has been taken against Otte yet, although she said was informed that she could not continue her morning prayers. Though she claimed she was told by the administration of a policy regarding prayer in the classroom, Otte said, "I have yet to see it."
While unaware of any regulation in the faculty handbook prohibiting prayer, Chief Public Affairs Officer Tim Massie said that the complaint against Otte was "something we're looking into."
The administration at large wants people of all religious and non-religious persuasions to feel welcome, according to Massie. Although the college does encourage its residents and staff to satisfy their own religious inclinations, there are plenty of times to do so outside class.
"First and foremost, the college supports many opportunities for prayer in personal and ceremonial circumstances - services in the chapel, ecumenical prayer services, Seders and other events …in order to meet the [spiritual] needs of the Marist community," Massie said. "All that being said, [it would be a problem] if any students felt uncomfortable or excluded by the recitation of prayer in the classroom."
Margaret Calista, dean of the school of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said she was unable to comment until administration came to a conclusion over the matter.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Reenie Menditto
posted 11/30/06 @ 1:43 PM EST
You have got to be kidding!!!!!! What next? Will Christmas be banned from the Marist campus? (Sounds like the stretching activity could go next...it may offend a parent of a student who doesn't believe in excercise. (Continued…)
kathyrag
Kathrag
posted 12/05/06 @ 8:07 PM EST
Ditto ... I couldn't have said it better myself.
kathyrag
Maureen Gray
posted 12/05/06 @ 8:22 PM EST
Professor Otte is an exemplary professor practicing her Christian faith at Marist. As a parent looking at colleges for my daughter, I would prefer a college that instills Catholic values & beliefs rather than one persecuting teachers practicing their faith. (Continued…)
Paul T. Hurley
posted 12/08/06 @ 4:05 PM EST
Maybe this college should change it's name to Madeleine Murray O'Hare College and not defame the name of Our Lord's Mother.
Mykkii
Mykkii Millott
posted 12/09/06 @ 8:32 PM EST
This is absolutely dim-witted! Margaret Calista, please stand up for something! Going through the Social Work program at Marist, we had an "exit interview" of sorts with the 'teaching team' and do you remember what we said?! We felt violated, used, abused, treated as sub-human because of the "team effort" that WASN'T used and claimed to be! The ABSOLUTE LEAST that the Behavioral Sciences department can do is offer a moment of clarity, focus and ease of tension for a bunch of young adults, who, in all honesty, are going to be heading out in the world to do God's work! They aren't going to be paid thousands of dollars. (Continued…)
Ray Batista
posted 5/03/07 @ 10:29 PM EST
I think the situation was handled immaturely. The parent should have approached Professor Otte privately herself instead of chastisizing her anonymously and making a public show of it; whatever the resolution was. (Continued…)
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