Toowoomba’s University of the Third Age (the U3A) now has a membership of about 1000 citizens over the age of 55, most much older. For instance, the writer has reached 80 and many friends are some years older. The U3A now lists about 90 courses ranging from activities such as Table Tennis and Mah Jong for Fun to academic themes such as Topics in Geology, Conversational and Advanced French, Investment, Exploring Modern Poetry and Biblical History and Belief.
Recently a well-known member requested approval to present a familiarisation course concerning the work, and coming visit to Australia, of the internationally-known “peace savant’ Maharaji Prem Rawat.
Committee rejected the course in a letter of July 20 describing it as not being suitable for U3A in Toowoomba Inc.
On appeal, the applicant demanded to be told Committee’s reasons and their Constitutional validity.
“Mature and Intelligent individuals”
Several U3A members have written to Committee, one as follows.\:
“… Confusion arises from the committee’s decision to prevent the applicant member from conducting the course, as members weren’t aware of the Constitutional Right of the committee to act in a censoring capacity.
“I refer the committee to the objectives of the U3A as stated in the Constitution, specifically that which states…. “To operate the Association in such ways that learning is pursued without any reference to entry criteria, qualification, assessment or awards and to create a climate free from discrimination according to colour, race, creed or sex.”
“U3A members, being mature & intelligent individuals, are capable of demonstrating whether a course is of interest to them by their attendance (or not) and neither require or desire, censorship of possible classes.”
“This is not a matter of religion”
Recently a well-known member requested approval to present a familiarisation course concerning the work, and coming visit to Australia, of the internationally-known “peace savant’ Maharaji Prem Rawat.
Committee rejected the course in a letter of July 20 describing it as not being suitable for U3A in Toowoomba Inc.
On appeal, the applicant demanded to be told Committee’s reasons and their Constitutional validity.
“Mature and Intelligent individuals”
Several U3A members have written to Committee, one as follows.\:
“… Confusion arises from the committee’s decision to prevent the applicant member from conducting the course, as members weren’t aware of the Constitutional Right of the committee to act in a censoring capacity.
“I refer the committee to the objectives of the U3A as stated in the Constitution, specifically that which states…. “To operate the Association in such ways that learning is pursued without any reference to entry criteria, qualification, assessment or awards and to create a climate free from discrimination according to colour, race, creed or sex.”
“U3A members, being mature & intelligent individuals, are capable of demonstrating whether a course is of interest to them by their attendance (or not) and neither require or desire, censorship of possible classes.”
“This is not a matter of religion”
The writer of this “Poltalk” newsletter, Hugh Bingham, who has had a long association with the U3A both as Member and Tutor, wrote as follows:
“Kindly acknowledge this, my formal request to address the next meeting of the U3A Committee to appeal (and advise against) its decision to deny …. the …. request to advertise and conduct a tutorial on the life and work of the international scholar and peace advocate, Maharaji Prem Rawat.
“I am not a member of any organisation associated with Rawat. However I know quite a lot about his work, his reputation, his following, abroad and in Australia, and his speeches to United Nations agencies.
“I would like to dispel any concerns Committee members might have about him. This is not a matter of religion – but even if it were, independent advice to me is that Committee is on dangerous legal ground in discriminating against the suggested course. Would Committee similarly refuse courses on Buddhism or Hinduism or comparative religions?
“I point out to Committee that it is totally up to Members to decide their own interest in exploring any subject offered and up to them also to quit any course if it does not come up to their expectation.”
President’s reply to applicant
On August 19 the President reported by letter Committee’s decision of August 15 that the original decision not to allow the Rawat course was upheld:, revealing that …
“One of the By-laws of our association says:
“U3A will strive to host the widest possible variety of courses which promote learning and growth, both mental and physical. Academic courses will be offered on a critical and contextual basis, and where possible on a comparative basis. U3A will not host courses which promote the religious, philosophical or political views of any spiritual leader, master, teacher or politician.”
The President wrote: “I do hope that you can understand that the By-laws are there to protect not only the members but also the integrity of the association.”
Our comment: The existence of these by-laws comes as somewhat of a surprise. They are not included in the document containing the U3A’s Constitution. The question has to be asked when the By-law quoted was enacted and when it was approved by the Membership at a general meeting?
One concluding remark: It is astonishing that the mature and ageing members of the U3A cannot be relied upon by Committee to judge for themselves, each and individually, 1) whether they are interested in attending the course as proposed and described in the newsletter: and b) whether, if they find the course not to their liking, not to continue attending.
Mr Bingham intends communicating Committee’s decision to the national organisation and requesting opinions on the validity of its decision: http://www.u3aoznewz.org/ - the only U3A address you need
U3A OzNewZ
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