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University of Connecticut: Medical School Requires Students to Affirm Political Viewpoints During White Coat Ceremony

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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 鈥渟ocial justice,鈥 鈥渆quity,鈥 and 鈥渞acism.鈥  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 蜜桃直播. On January 31, 蜜桃直播 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鈥 right to refrain from compelled speech relating to contested political viewpoints. On the same day, 蜜桃直播 published a blog on the issue and launched a 鈥淭ake Action鈥 campaign. On April 1, the school responded to 蜜桃直播鈥檚 March 31 follow-up email on our letter, clarifying that the oath is voluntary and that students will not face repercussions for refusing to say it.

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