University criticized for holiday party suggestions post
The Knoxville News Sentinel noted the petition had hundreds of supporters as of Friday morning.
“We support Chancellor Cheek in the face of state-level opposition to diversity programs and initiatives on campus”, the petition states.
The article also advised managers and supervisors not to endorse a specific religion.
Senator Bell said, “Now how can you have a Christmas party without referencing religion or culture?”
We are fully committed to a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
Holiday parties should not play games with religious or cultural themes.
The lawmakers made the call after learning about UTK’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s new guidance to staff on holiday parties, saying they have no confidence in his ability to lead the state’s flagship university. “We are pro-inclusion”.
He said, “I could not believe that, especially in light of what’s gone on the last couple of years with the debacle over sex week, then foolishness over the gender neutral pronouns that they put out a few months ago, and now we have the same group telling us that”.
Simsen, the UT spokeswoman, said Duncan was blowing the post out of proportion.
“First let me say that we honor Christmas as one of the celebrations of the season”, Cheek said Thursday in a prepared statement.
The release pointed out numerous holiday parties and celebrations take place every year on UT’s campus and the school doesn’t monitor these activities. And UT Rock’s has been painted calling for Cheek to resign. “The reputation of Tennessee is at stake here”, he wrote. “They are an online resource for faculty and staff to review if they are interested in creating a more inclusive holiday environment within their departments and administrative units”, Neville added.
Andy Holt (R-Dresden) is a Republican state representative representing Weakley and parts of Obion and Carroll counties.
Santa Claus may be coming to town, but he is not welcome at UT Knoxville faculty parties.
On Friday, school spokeswoman Karen Ann Simsen said Cheek would not be addressing calls for his resignation.
Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, and Senate Government Operations Committee Chairman Mike Bell, R-Riceville, announced their stance against Chancellor Jimmy Cheek in an email Thursday afternoon, shortly after Fox News aired a segment criticizing the university’s post.
Meanwhile, the fallout continued as a number of other state leaders and others weighed in on Friday.
The list has received criticism, including from Congressman Jimmy Duncan. He called the rules “ridiculous” and the reaction “extremism”.
“I am saddened and very disappointed that the school from where I graduated would do this”, the Knoxville Republican said. “It is going to an extreme that the overwhelming majority of my constituents and the American people are opposed to”. “The suggestions are just that, suggestions for being inclusive and recognizing that not everyone worships in the same way or celebrates the same holiday”.