University of Connecticut: Medical School Requires Students to Affirm Political Viewpoints During White Coat Ceremony
Cases
University of Connecticut
Case Overview
On August 23, 2024, incoming students recited a school-created oath at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine white coat ceremony. The oath included adherence to contested political viewpoints relating to “social justice,” “equity,” and “racism.” of the ceremony appeared to indicate students were required to recite the oath as a condition of their continued education, which the school later confirmed to ݮƵAPP. On January 31, ݮƵAPP wrote Dean Bruce T. Liang, calling on the school to clarify to students that those who refrain from reciting the oath will not face any academic or professional consequences. We explained that the First Amendment protects students' right to refrain from compelled speech relating to contested political viewpoints. On the same day, ݮƵAPP published a blog on the issue and launched a “Take Action” campaign.