Brooker says she was required to sign a contract with the department pledging to follow the National Association of Social Work’s code of ethics, which does not refer to homosexuality. She alleges the contract requires her to change her religious beliefs and conform to social work standards to continue enrollment in the School of Social Work.

Allison Nadelhaft, of the association’s national office, says the code does not ask prospective social workers to give up their religious beliefs but to recognize and respect people of different backgrounds, including sexual orientation.

“We understand social workers come to their professions with various perspectives,� she says. “Maybe the faculty was interpreting the code differently. There are plenty of conservative social workers. There’s even a Christian social workers association.�

French says Brooker was called before the ethics committee because she complained about Kauffman to her adviser and challenged a grade she had received in another Kauffman class. Kauffman allegedly said Brooker was often late to class and didn’t participate in class discussions.

The complaint alleges that Brooker was told by faculty that she would have to “lessen the gap� between her personal beliefs and professional obligations. Nadelhaft says the association would never ask someone to do that.

French says Brooker signed the contract so she could complete the program.

“She was bullied into signing the contract. She was fearful of her ability to graduate. She was given an ultimatum,� he says. “Students are not lawyers. They don’t know where their rights begin or end.�

Brooker, who has since graduated from the program, is seeking unspecified monetary damages and fees and wants to have the grievance against her and the contract removed from her record.

--Associated Press