The building officially is known as the Wallace R. Hanson Education Center. In Pierre it’s commonly called the new CUC, or Capital University Center, building. The CUC Foundation built it on land granted from St. Mary’s Healthcare Center. And that’s where this matter gets somewhat interesting.
The land came to the foundation from St. Mary’s with restrictive covenants which, according to the lease, specifically prohibit use of the property or improvements “for the performance of euthanasia, abortions or any act which has the primary intended result of terminating pregnancy, consistent with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services, Fourth Edition, as promulgated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as amended from time to time and as interpreted by the local bishop.”
The state Board of Regents, whose members govern the state universities including CUC, voted last week to accept the lease including the restrictive covenants. The board’s central office staff recommended the acceptance of the lease, and the lease specifically says the board “will endeavor to comply” with the restrictions.
The lease adds, “If the Board is concerned that an educational activity may violate the restrictive covenants, prior to undertaking the same, it will discuss the issue with the CUC Foundation and the CUC Foundation will endeavor to solicit approval thereof from St. Mary’s Healthcare Center.” This language appears on page 6 of the 16-page lease document.
Generally the lease appears to be standard otherwise in setting forth responsibilities for the various sides. The regents will pay $84,768 annually for use of the building. The initial length of the lease is 25 years, followed by automatic 10-year renewals and one final four-year renewal through 2098.
#1 by John on December 21, 2009 - 3:06 pm
Looks as if the regents gave state endorsement to religious beliefs and paid state money to enforce them.