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A student at St. Ambrose University in Davenport was kicked out of the social work program offered by the Catholic school following an academic review due to statements he made in class. In addition, junior Brandon Freiwald was removed from the program because he wore an “XX” shirt on “Real Women’s Day” in October.

According to records sent to The Iowa Standard, an academic review took place in October following supposed incidents of concern. The faculty involved appeared to be a person called Kayla Behrens and another person called Kyle Bennett.

Bennett and Behrens convened a “formal notification of concern” meeting with Freiwald due to comments he made on Sept. 10. What comment sparked the “formal notification of concern?”

“Men protecting women because women have babies.”

Freiwald said the faculty simplified what he said. He told The Iowa Standard he actually said “men should protect women. You’re more important than us. You birth our children.”

According to Bennett, who is listed as an assistant professor in the school of social work and lists his pronouns as he/him/his, the comment was “distracting for a number of students in the class.”

Stating that men protect women because women have babies, allegedly conflicts with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics:

*Dignity and worth of the person which addresses individuals’ rights to self-determination.
*Respect, a part of which is avoiding unwarranted negative criticisms or any language that could be considered demeaning.

On Sept. 11, Bennett wrote an email to Freiwald notifying him of the formal notification of concern. In it, Bennett claimed that he “appreciates” Freiwald’s willingness to share his viewpoints and opinions in class. However, his comment about men protecting women because women have babies “could be viewed as disrespectful, antagonistic and/or distracting.”

“There is now a need for intervention/remediation,” Bennett wrote.

Following the meeting, Bennett wrote an email thanking Freiwald for meeting. Ironically, Bennett wrote:

“I am confident our learning environments can be spaces where all views and opinions are discussed, and I will be more mindful of how to draw people into conversations as well.”

Why is that ironic? Oh, keep reading…

Bennett sent another post-meeting message after giving more thought about “absolutes.”

“I would argue very few things that we talk about in social sciences could be presented as absolute facts, since we all receive and process information and ideas through the prisms of our own lived experiences,” Bennett wrote. “This has led me through my career as a practitioner and researcher to never assume that I have all the answers (or any answers really).”

Bennett said that when Freiwald suggests women are more nurturing is a fact, Bennett thinks of “all the people” raised by single men who “were far more nurturing than the mothers ever were.”

“I question that statement (that women are more nurturing) as an absolute fact,” Bennett wrote. “Again, it’s all about how you frame things. Does that make sense?”

Freiwald drew the ire of faculty once again on Oct. 1. The class was working to understand and discuss LGBTQIA terms and challenges faced by such individuals. The assignment instructs students to “trust the person who is using the term and their definition of it above any dictionary.”

You can view the list of words here.

Freiwald allegedly said it is challenging to use the right words without offending someone given all the options. According to documents, this suggested there was no point in doing so.

While engaging in conversation with the instructor, Freiwald said he felt like he should not be compelled to use a term he doesn’t agree with due to freedom of speech. He went on to say it was offensive to him to be forced to do so.

However, the instructor wrote:

“The exchange ended when I encouraged him to consider that while he might not be offended by something someone says, another person might be based on their positionality and identity, and that it was a matter of life and death (emphasis added by TIS) to use the words and phrases people direct us to use when coming from marginalized identities.”

Freiwald then scrolled his phone for some time and pointed out he found an article about a California law that allows transgender women (men) entry into female prisons. The instructor asked him to forward the information, and he did.

However, the instructor claimed that a “key advocacy group well respected in the LGBTQIA space” supported the legislation because it “extended protections for transgender women in prisons.”

The instructor also shared concern about Freiwald writing about how he was challenged in class because he “knows what rights we have.” He went on to say “to think that someone’s views will get in the way of helping other people is a little crazy.”

All of this combined violated various portions of the student handbook and code of ethics, according to the concerned instructors. One of the values he violated specifically was “social justice.”

“These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity,” the ethical principle states.

Freiwald was also accused of using “derogatory language.” And, perhaps most ironically, he allegedly violated the principle of using “accurate and respectful language.”

According to the documents, Freiwald wrote that the concerns are due to the way he voices his beliefs and opinions. Emphasizing they are his opinions and showing he’s open for feedback and different ideas were listed as steps necessary for resolution.

However, according to documentation submitted by Behrens, who prefers she/her pronouns, things went too far on Oct. 10, 2024.

“Within minutes of class start time, a student raised their hand and said they had a question. I went to the table to answer the question and the student showed me a Google search result for the search ‘Real Women’s Day.’ The Google search results stated “Designate October 10th (XX) as Real Womens’ (sic) Day to recognize the fundamental differences between men and women.”

Within that same Google search, an article on Fox News written by Riley Gaines was included.

This all came about because Freiwald wore a pink shirt with black lettering with “Real Women’s Day” on the back and “XX” on the shirt as well.

“Students at the table expressed their discomfort with the shirt and the Google search results,” Behrens wrote.

Freiwald continued to wear the shirt during the lab session while he was role playing as a professional social worker. When class was over, two students allegedly went to Behrens’ office and expressed “discomfort” over the shirt. They also claimed they “felt unsafe” in the classroom and unable to engage in dialogue with Freiwald. They also felt him wearing the shirt and his other behavior is “intentional” to “assert dominance.”

Behrens wrote that she “independently searched” the terms “Real Women’s Day” and “XX” online. She reviewed the article by Riley Gaines and said the article “demonstrated bias and discriminatory language.” Behrens shared the following so-called examples:

· “So, I started brainstorming. How can we get back to honoring real women when it’s a woman’s recognition to be had? I thought of Oct. 10. It’s the 10th day of the 10th

month, which is demoted in Roman numerals by XX. If you took Biology101, then you probably remember which chromosomes make a human female: XX. Thus, Real Women’s Day was born – to be celebrated on Oct. 10 (XX).”

· “It’s only fitting that XX-XY Athletics, the clothing company started by former Levi’s executive Jennifer Sey, announces its first-ever Courage Wins awardees on Real Women’s Day. This is a first-of-its-kind monetary award to celebrate female athletes who have shown immense courage and leadership by saying enough is enough and speaking the simple truth that there are only two sexes, and you can’t change your sex. Each of the four awardees will be given $5,000 in the form of a scholarship.”

· “Our language is being manipulated to be more “gender inclusive.”

· “In my opinion, the silliest and most redundant language change of them all is referring to ourselves (or any human being) as a “biological” male or female. It’s a way to get society to subconsciously admit there is an “unbiological” alternative to being a male or a female when there isn’t. I implore you to use clear, sex-based language, because people are desperate for it.”

· “I encourage everyone – not just women – to join me on Real Women’s Day to celebrate who we are and stand firm against an ideology that seeks to erase our identity. Post about it. Talk about it. We’ve arrived at a place where these absurdities have become normalized because, collectively, we haven’t been doing these things.”

Behrens claimed Freiwald’s action, presumably of daring to wear such a shirt, was evidence of “non-adherence to the Mission and Purposes of the BSW Program. Here is the supposed mission of the program in full:

Mission: The St. Ambrose University Bachelor of Social Work program “prepares holistic social workers grounded in liberal arts and social justice traditions to enrich lives, facilitate empowerment, and advocate a just society as generalist professionals. Through that generalist lens, the BSW program cultivates the desire to change society at multiple levels by equipping students with knowledge, skills, and values indicative of ethical social work practice.”

The BSW mission captures the professional preparation of an accredited degree with the unique combined foundation of a liberal arts education within a Catholic Intellectual Tradition of lifelong learning and social justice. This generalist foundation incorporates knowledge in several areas of science, humanities, and the arts while also supporting a lifelong commitment to service. The social work profession works with individuals, groups, and communities to facilitate empowerment and advocate change. Social work’s core values include service, social justice, and client self-determination, and are all addressed within the BSW program mission.

Behrens claimed that wearing the shirt was also evidence of non-compliance with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Behrens added that Freiwald’s “pattern of behavior” showed there had not been a remedy through informal means. Instead, she suggested his behavior poses an “immediate threat to the learning environment.”

“His decision and action to wear this shirt comes after being involved in a formal notification of concern that was in connection to:
*disrespectful, antagonistic, or distracting behavior int he classroom, and
*breaches of the NASW Code of Ethics and violation of classroom policies.”

Incredibly, Behrens continued as she claimed Freiwald’s decision to wear the shirt demonstrates “substantial incongruities between his values and attitudes and the value base of the social work profession.”

Why? Well, here is why, according to Behrens:

1. The movement demonstrates bias and discriminatory language.

2. It is a direct violation of the NASW Code of Ethics- as detailed below.

3. The shirt was worn by Brandon while role playing as a professional social worker working with a client. The role plays are incorporated into class structure to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive or affective processes of a professional social worker learned throughout class and course work.

In one of the most astounding ironies of the situation, one of the violations Behrens claims is “discrimination.” And the definition states social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate or collaborate with any form of discrimination based on…well, a variety of traits, but interestingly, this one is also listed…

POLITICAL BELIEF.

Behrens doesn’t hide the fact it was the act of wearing a “Real Women’s Day” shirt that resulted in him being kicked out of the program.

“Brandon’s decision and action to wear the shirt that demonstrates bias and discriminatory language violate the St. Ambrose University Student Handbook and Course policies.”

In another display of irony, Behrens highlights the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement from the student handbook. It starts by claiming St. Ambrose commits to “ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion as core priorities.”

But that diversity, that equity and that inclusion doesn’t appear to be offered to people who dare wear a “Real Women’s Day” shirt.

Freiwald appealed the decision to kick him out of the program as he said he was kicked out due to bias. However, a person called Chris Martin who prefers she/her/hers pronouns, said there was no evidence of bias, only a clarification of values and statements that do not align with the values of the profession.

“No incident of unfair treatment based on your religion was provided,” Martin wrote.

A person called Lynn Kilburg, who serves as the Dean for the College of Health and Human Services, responded to a second appeal. Freiwald’s appeal was denied once again.

The Iowa Standard contacted St. Ambrose University on Friday morning asking the following questions:

  1. Based on documents I have received, Brandon made a comment such as “men protecting women because women have babies” and that comment was part of what launched a formal notification of concern. Can the university say what is concerning about stating men protect women because women have babies? 
  2. Based on documents I have received, a member of the faculty appears to write “these comments…were distracting for a number of students in the class.” Can the university say what is “distracting” about stating men protect women because women have babies?
  3. Faculty wrote “very few things” in social sciences could be presented as absolute facts. Does the university believe it is an “absolute fact” that only biological women can birth a child? 
  4. An assignment in class featured a “vocabulary extravaganza.” One word was “agender.” Does the university believe a human being can “exist without gender?”
  5. The word “fag” is included in this list as a derogatory term but then also said to be used by homosexuals as a “positive” term. So, what determines if the word is “derogatory” or “positive?”
  6. According to the documents, an instructor told Brandon it is a “matter of life and death” to use words and phrases people direct us to use when coming from “marginalized identities.” Can the university elaborate on this? 
  7. According to the documents, an instructor wrote that allowing men who identify as women into women’s prisons “extends protections” for transgender women in prisons. Is it the university’s position that men who identify as women should be housed in a women’s prison? 
  8. According to the documents, social workers “should use accurate language in all communications to and about clients…” If someone is born a man, but later in life they identify as a woman, does the university teach it is then “inaccurate” to refer to that person as a man?
  9. According to documents, Brandon wore an XX shirt in honor of Real Women’s Day on Oct. 10. Another student did a Google search for the term. Students expressed “discomfort” with the shirt. Students said they felt “unsafe” in the classroom. Students claimed wearing the shirt was “intentional to assert dominance.” If these students truly felt “unsafe,” why did they remain in the classroom? 
  10. Is there any concern about the university producing individuals to work in social work yet feeling “unsafe” at the sight of a shirt simply proclaiming “Real Women’s Day?” 
  11. According to documents, Brandon’s XX shirt demonstrated “bias and discriminatory language” and violated the student handbook and course policies. Does the university support such a conclusion? 
  12. Kyle Bennett wrote he is “confident” the learning environment can be a space “where all views and opinions are discussed.” Considering Brandon was kicked out of the program because he wore an “XX” shirt in honor of “Real Women’s Day,” does the university believe such action reflects a space “where all views and opinions can be discussed” and respected?

A person called Brian Boesen, who is listed as the associate vice president of communications and marketing, replied that the university does not comment on any matter involving student records out of compliance with federal law.

The Iowa Standard rephrased a number of its questions so they don’t relate to student records at all:

  1. Can St. Ambrose University say if the statement men should protect women is concerning? 
  2. Can St. Ambrose University say if it considers a statement that men should protect women to be “distracting?”
  3. Does St. Ambrose University believe it is an “absolute fact” that only biological women can birth a child? 
  4. An assignment in a St. Ambrose class featured a “vocabulary extravaganza.” One word was “agender.” Does the university believe a human being can “exist without gender?”
  5. The word “fag” is included in this list as a derogatory term but then also said to be used by homosexuals as a “positive” term. How does St. Ambrose determine if the word “fag” is used in a “derogatory” way or a “positive” way? 
  6. Does St. Ambrose University believe men who identify as women should be housed in a women’s prison? 
  7. According to the policies distributed by St. Ambrose University, social workers “should use accurate language in all communications to and about clients…” If someone is born a man, but later in life they identify as a woman, does the university teach it is then “inaccurate” to refer to that person as a man?
  8. Is it the expectation of St. Ambrose University that students who feel “unsafe” in a classroom remain in that classroom without expressing their concerns for safety immediately? 
  9. According to documents, Brandon’s XX shirt demonstrated “bias and discriminatory language” and violated the student handbook and course policies. Does St. Ambrose believe the “Real Women” movement demonstrates “bias and discriminatory language?”
  10. Does St. Ambrose believe kicking a student out of a program for wearing a “Real Women’s Day” shirt fosters a space “where all views and opinions can be discussed” and respected?

A person called Amy Novak is listed as President of St. Ambrose University. She can be contacted at:

563-333-6213
[email protected]

Author: Jacob Hall

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