Academic Freedom: An Ethical Burden?

The first amendment to the US Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, religion, the press and the right to assemble. Another right guaranteed in the US in academia is academic freedom. But, what does this mean in the context of the student/faculty relationship? Research freedom aside, I think the student has the academic freedom to pursue their studies without fear that their opinions, biases, culture, etc. will hinder their academic pursuit. But, how do we navigate instances when personal belief and academics come into conflict?

I was raised in a very liberal, non-religious but culturally Jewish, education-forward and scientific household. So, my education normal is to observe the facts and make judgments based on science rather than faith. It has always been easy for me to accept evolution as truth and show compassion, tolerance, acceptance, and friendship to people of different faiths, ethnicity, etc. I believe that hate is hate and cannot be justified by religion. To me, it's obvious: if a person has no tolerance for and is not willing to accept another human being based solely on sexual orientation, then they probably shouldn't pursue a counseling degree at a public university.

Case Study: An Augusta State student will not be granted a degree in psychology unless she takes a remedial course in diversity training. This stems out of her refusal to council LGBT students and stating her neo-conservative view that homosexuality is a choice that should be transitioned out of someone. The American Psychiatric Association (after 1973) disagrees with her religious assessment and affirms that homosexuality is not a choice and is in fact natural and innate and cannot be "taught out of a person." Should she be allowed to pursue her degree of choice and not have to compromise her religious freedoms? On the other hand, if part of her requirements in the curriculum is to learn how to appropriate council the LGBT community, shouldn't she be held to the same standards of every other student despite her radical beliefs?

For me, the answer is simple. If she councils that homosexuality is a sin and choice that should be "trained out" of a person then she is committing malpractice based on APA standards. If the university grants her a degree knowing that she could potential practice this dangerous behavior and does nothing to remedy the situation then they are negligent. I believe the university has the responsibility to provide diversity training and remediation in her case. If she refuses this requirement then she is making the conscious choice to take an incomplete.

However, based on our conversation on Monday, I am conflicted about the situation. Despite the fact that my gut tells me that her intolerance is deplorable and she would make a lousy, dangerous, and despicable counselor since she obviously doesn't understand basic human tolerance, doesn't she have a right to religious freedom? Does this case come into conflict with the student's right to academic freedom? Or, is it not a matter of academic freedom and more a concern of morals/ethics? I am curious to see the legal outcome of this case and it's ramifications on conflicts of religion and academics in the public sector.