Rule of Life: Seeking to love our neighbours as ourselves, we promise:
(a) to worship the one true God and avoid polytheistic worship and the invoking of
ancestral spirits or other powers;
(b) to avoid swearing and disparaging talk about God, or gossip about our neighbour;
(c) to respect public times of worship and rest;
(d) to respect the legitimate authority of the state, the family, the Church, and the
University, observing University rules and not participating in any public riot;
(e) to uphold the human and civil rights of persons regardless of race, class, ethnic
group, or gender, including the unborn, and to renounce any physical or verbal
abuse of another person;
(f) to shun all sexual immorality, polygamy, adultery, fornication and homosexual
practice;
(g) not to steal or engage in financial dishonesty of any kind;
(h) to tell the truth and renounce all forms of plagiarism and false testimony;
(i) to dress decently and treat each other with decency and purity;
(j) to exercise moderation in all things, avoiding abuse of body and soul through
alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, or gambling.
The problem I had was with letter f because I do not "shun" these things. In fact, the word shun means "to avoid deliberately and especially habitually." Now, I understand this might be a difference in American and British language, but there are very few things that I shun even if I disagree with the belief. But here, it is different. People who are supposed to be Christians spew hatred towards people who are gay. I can't even understand the reasons or the logic for hating people for something they didn't choose. It absolutely drives me crazy and I have had to keep quiet...since January.
In January, I was called in to the Vice Chancellor's office. Before the meeting, my institutional contact (we will call him William) told me the meeting was about staffing and I thought maybe I was being asked to do some additional duties. William assured me it was nothing to worry about. After all, I was very proud of my work and I knew students were learning and improving their writing. I was working a million hours and I knew my work was paying off. When I arrived at the VC's office, I was greeted by the VC, assistant VC for HR, and one of the Americans that coordinates an exchange program on campus. The VC then proceeded to accuse me of three offenses:
1. alcohol on campus
2. overnight visitors
3. offering alcohol to students.
I was floored. I remember saying:
You know I am almost 40, right?
My apartment is private. How would you know these things?
I asked and was told I could have wine.
I have only had one student in my house and it was with several people.
The student wasn't even one of my students!
When did you have me sign something about these rules? When did you give me an orientation?
Why are you spying on me?
Who has accused me of these things?
The VC responded:
The rules are clear.
It doesn't matter the age.
You are required to be celibate.
Alcohol is forbidden.
You have been warned many times.
I again pleaded my case:
These accusations are outrageous. I have never had a party at my house. I have only had a bottle of wine. My apartment is my privacy. I live in a private apartment. What about all of my work I have done on campus? No one has ever spoken to me about any of these things...EVER.
The VC responded:
We will not tolerate this behavior. You will most likely have to leave.
It was at this point that the HR person chimed in and asked the VC to really consider what he should do since this was a shared job with the embassy and I was not informed of the policies. I left his office feeling dejected and immediately called my family. I thought I was going home. That night, I tried and tried to sleep I thought about all of the things I had done and why they were wrong. I kept wondering why the VC listened to gossip and accused me instead of just talking with me and asking questions. It was the first time we had met and I felt like I was on trial. I felt like I was 16. I was alone and just wanted to go home.
The next day, I called the embassy and discussed the situation with them. They felt incredibly embarrassed about the invasion of privacy and accusations. They asked if I wanted to leave and I said I wasn't sure. They said it was my choice and that I didn't have to tolerate my rights being violated. I told them I wish I knew I was going to have to live like a nun while teaching English. Then, I received a letter from the VC addressed to me with "strictly confidential" on it. I knew this was it. I was going home. The letter read:
Dear Ms Cardwell,
RE: ALLEGATION OF INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT AS A STAFF MEMBER
Greetings in Christ Jesus our Lord!
I am writing to follow up on our discussion with you on 20th January 2014 with regards to complaints received alleging your inappropriate conduct while servicing at Uganda Christian University as staff.
I wish to remind you that Uganda Christian University is a Christian-based institution, whose values and expectation are clearly spelt out in the Instruments of Identity and the Staff Code of Conduct, as revised in 2011.
While you claimed that you have never seen or received the Instruments of Identity and the Staff Code of Conduct of the university, any deviation to the expected conduct would not be acceptable.
The university is willing to take your word of commitment to continue serving on condition that you adhere to all the rules and expected conduct as states in the Staff Code of Conduct.
I hope that we shall have reason to make your remaining stay with UCU hospitable and compliant with our Christian identity. Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
VC
Relief flooded over me, but I was hesitant to stay. Trust with people was now broken and I had a creepy old guy watching over my apartment. I was also saddened that all the administration saw was that I was a problem instead of all of the amazing connections I had made with students and teachers. I was also saddened that he made an example out of me. I have always felt very confident with the way I handle students and have never violated a work code of conduct. I also knew that this was a way for the VC to extinguish rumors and claim they "handled" the situation. The university was constantly defending themselves against rumors in the paper of students getting pregnant, lecturers living together before marriage, lecturers sleeping with students, gay students/staff, students paying for grades, etc. In fact, the HR person showed me a HUGE stack of cases waiting for their attention after our meeting when she tried to smooth things over. I wondered why the VC focused on me. I am sure he didn't know, but he picked the wrong person in which to have a quarrel because I am educated and strong. I know how I feel and I am confident in my beliefs. Maybe that is why he picked me. Bring. it. on.
After that incident, I had another incident with the dean and my institutional contact "William." I will spare the details, but basically they told me I couldn't walk with males across the campus at UCU. They said they had heard rumors from various lecturers (which was a blatant lie). They said I needed to walk alone at night. I knew that wasn't going to happen. I would walk with whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I was done with the bullcrap. At that point, I welcomed being sent home early because then I would be in a place of love and non-judgment. That didn't happen and I was able to stay throughout the end of my contract.
In April, I was able to go to Senegal and meet up with all of the fellows like me in Africa. They were mortified at my situation. Sometimes it is hard to gain perspective when you are in the situation, but once you are away, you understand and have a more realistic view. Most of them sad they couldn't deal with the situation. I guess I just felt duped because everyone I asked told me something different. Many, many lecturers and students have told me about situation in which they have been in "trouble" with administration or have had to hide things. People have to hide kids because they are not married. Religious leaders on campus hide their homosexuality by marrying women in lavish ceremonies. Students are scared to share issues with their lecturers because they are afraid they will tell administration or worse let, they might be caught in the middle and have to pay off or sleep with the lecturer for forgiveness. Students are shamed for going to a bar with their friends. Women are humiliated for getting pregnant, while the men are put on a pedestal without responsiblity. It saddens me to see religion used as a way to condemn others through gossip and malice. Also in April, there were three college girls (all above 18) expelled from UCU for bring pregnant before marriage. This caused them to lose the dream of achieving a higher education, which is something that would better the life of mother and baby. I fail to understand how that helps show love, let alone protecting mother and baby. Let's condemn the mother to a life of poverty...that will teacher her not to have sex before marriage! I was livid about that situation and I have heard there are other students pregnant as I speak. It seems to me like UCU focuses on the wrong things. There are people in leadership positions who have very little educational experience, but they are "religious" so it is a good fit. I disagree. If you want to advocate a certain religion, then you should uphold academic AND religious standards. UCU has lost a lot of staff and American support because of the way they try to control others' lives. They should respect that decisions are private and you can't control peoples' homes. This is the reason it is called a PRIVATE life. Yes, I understand you can't have a gay minister in Christianity, but focus on the issues that are harming students such as:
- lecturers giving grades for money,
- lecturers offering money for sex,
- inappropriate teaching methods,
- HODs stealing money from budgets which were intended for a workshop/accommodations for a department,
- sexually inappropriate comments, especially towards women,
- students fearing to trust their lecturers, etc.
