Christmas Tree Removal Sparks Controversy At Law School

INDIANAPOLIS -- Complaints prompted the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis to remove a Christmas tree from its atrium this week. Now the objections are coming from others.

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The tree's removal and its successor -- a "winter scene" that includes two evergreen-looking trees -- sparked a debate among students, some of whom are upset about the takeaway and the manner in which administrators handled it, RTV6's Jeremy Brilliant reported Thursday.

"A lot of people are interested in this," said first-year law student Joshua Claybourn, who contributes to a student-run Web log that has captured some of the debate.

The original tree -- decorated with ribbons and nonreligious ornaments, according to a school spokesman -- was placed in the atrium the day before Thanksgiving. After it drew complaints, it was removed Tuesday.

"Some folks expressed an opinion that (the tree) made them feel excluded, and the dean felt like he had to address that," said Richard Schneider, a spokesman for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where the law school is located.

The tree was replaced by a scene consisting of the two evergreen-type trees, fake snow and a sleigh. One of the replacement trees was decorated with lights.

RTV6 wanted to ask the school's dean about the new display (pictured, right), but the station was told he was unavailable for comment.

"It's more generic now if you look at it, but as a whole, it's still in the same vein," second-year law student Jim Morris said of the new display.

Legally, the school can display a Christmas tree, Brilliant reported. In a 1989 ruling (Allegheny v. American Civil Liberties Union), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the following:

• "The Christmas tree, unlike the menorah, is not itself a religious symbol. Although Christmas trees once carried religious connotations, today they typify the secular celebration of Christmas."

Still, legality isn't the only issue to consider, said Mary Mitchell, a professor at the law school.

"The legal issue is pretty clear, but the greater issue is being sensitive to a diverse community," Mitchell said.

Many students felt the issue should have been debated openly before action was taken, Brilliant reported. Some took miniature trees to the building, protesting the students' lack of input in the decision.

"I think we also need to be able to express ourselves and be open and tell each other how we feel, and why certain students want it down and certain students want it up," second-year law student Sarah Stimson said.

Claybourn, the first-year student, also said he was disappointed.

"It's just unfortunate there were a small few who were opposed to a Christmas tree and were able to get the Christmas tree taken down -- kind of ruin the spirit of Christmas without any type of discussion about it," he said.