The American Association of University Professors, based in Washington, D.C., doesn't believe a religious accommodation policy at the U. will infringe on academic freedom.

"In general, I don't see that this per se should send any kind of chill because it's (already) illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion," said Anita Levy, associate secretary of AAUP Department of Academic Freedom and Tenure. Levy reviewed the settlement agreement at the request of the Deseret Morning News.

The AAUP, though, finds some aspects of the agreement troubling, particularly that professors don't have greater say in determining the policy.

"We would liked to have seen the faculty primarily involved in decisions regarding curriculum," she said.

Levy lauded the policy's appeals process but said the final arbiter ought to be a faculty body, such as the academic senate, rather than than an administrator.

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