Faith-based universities have unique rights

The National Labor Relations Board’s recent ruling against Duquesne University (March 1, “Duquesne University Plans to Take Dispute Over Adjunct Faculty Union to Federal Appeals Court”) overlooks legal precedents that hold that faith-based universities have unique governing rights regarding their faculty.

The Catholic mission of Duquesne is to educate our students to achieve excellence in what they dedicate to their families, societies, businesses and faith traditions. This mission is carried out in a unique way by all of our faculty, both regular and adjunct, who teach and advise our students, preparing them for their lives after graduation. All of our faculty are entrusted with this singular but multifaceted mission.

By exempting the theology department from its jurisdiction, the NLRB decision either misunderstands, or simply overlooks, the scope of our mission. The theology department is not the sole organ that “makes” or “represents” Duquesne as faith-based. Our mission is comprehensive; all disciplines participate in the educating of students in light of our faith-based understanding of the common good and a just society. Thus all departments should under this reasoning be exempt.

Our faculty should continue to be allowed to carry out our legally recognized educational mission, which for decades has contributed significantly to the city, region, nation and world at large. JAMES SWINDAL Dean McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University Uptown

We welcome your opinion

On the same day a troubled 19-year-old used an AR-15 type rifle to kill 17 of his former classmates at a Florida high school, a colleague gave me a 55-yearold tattered copy of The Pittsburgh Press, which featured an opinion piece entitled “Guns Revisited” by William A. White.

“As things now stand any youth of any age has no trouble buying a gun, except getting the money, perhaps,” wrote White. He was not contemplating yet another mass shooting at a school — he was agonizing over the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas and the nonsensical gun culture in America that wreaks havoc with our Second Amendment. White went on to make a passionate plea for commonsense gun laws, many of which are the same kinds of laws groups like Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America argue for today: universal and meaningful background checks; taking guns out of the hands of domestic abusers; keeping guns out of our schools.

Our country has been talking about guns for such a long time and I am so very tired. Yet I am heartened by the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who are letting all Americans know that the time for talk is over and the time for action is now. I bow down to good corporate citizens like Pittsburgh’s own Dick’s Sporting Goods for their willingness to do the right thing when it comes to creating a sensible gun culture. We are at the tipping point and the time for sensible gun laws is SHARON M. BIASCA

Mt. Lebanon

In answer to the March 11 letter “Unsightly for Visit”: You’re right — this city is trashed.

I had some insight on this problem while traveling in Iceland. We observed children walking around with bags. I stopped one and asked what was going on. I was told that twice a year, the children are taken out of school to pick up litter.

There was very little litter anywhere as I drove in the country. Maybe going out and picking up trash while young taught these kids that litter has to be picked up. DAN CINOWALT

Bon Air

I agree with March 11 letter “Unsightly for Visit” concerning all the litter. I have a Port Authority bus stop within walking distance of my office. I have to call the authority and my borough concerning this matter. Neither wants to take responsibility for this eyesore.

The Port Authority will put up shelters to protect its riders but won’t educate riders about the litter they leave behind. Something must be done to help beautify our city. I have found children’s coats, a women’s purse and enough plastic bottles to start my own recycling business. LINDA ROSE Avalon