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==Criticisms==

==Criticisms==

Liberty has faced criticism from conservatives for allowing, and even funding, the advocacy of [[abortion]] by its debate team.<ref>http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=590</ref>  But it is otherwise known to be a strongly [[conservative]] college, and the ''Liberty Way'' strictly prohibits students from having abortions, prescribing harder punishments for having an abortion than for committing misdemeanor crimes.<ref>https://www.liberty.edu/media/1210/Student_Honor_Code.pdf</ref>

Liberty has faced criticism from conservatives for allowing, and even funding, the advocacy of [[abortion]] by its debate team.<ref>http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=590</ref>

Liberals and the Republican [[Never Trump movement]] (along with some Christians) have criticized the institution because of university president Jerry Falwell Jr's endorsement of [[Donald Trump]], although the much larger pro-Trump movement sees this as a good thing. Liberty University was honored to host President Trump as a speaker at its 2017 commencement ceremony.

Liberals and the Republican [[Never Trump movement]] (along with some Christians) have criticized the institution because of university president Jerry Falwell Jr's endorsement of [[Donald Trump]], although the much larger pro-Trump movement sees this as a good thing. Liberty University was honored to host President Trump as a speaker at its 2017 commencement ceremony.

Liberty has also been criticized for inviting speakers to its Convocations<ref>Convocation is a thrice-weekly gathering of the student body, featuring music and a guest speaker; attendance is mandatory for students except they are allowed two excused absences a year, to be approved ahead of time.</ref> who do not necessarily agree with the school's doctrinal position or having past conduct issues.  Among the criticized invitees are:

Current Athletic Director Ian McCaw was hired by Liberty only a few months after McCaw was forced to resign as [[Baylor University]] Athletic Director in the wake of Baylor's scandal involving football players assaulting females and the university not taking appropriate action to protect them.

 

===Convocation<ref>Convocation is a thrice-weekly gathering of the student body, featuring music and a guest speaker; attendance is mandatory for students except they are allowed two excused absences a year, to be approved ahead of time.</ref> Speakers===

Liberty has also been criticized, even by alumni and supporters, for inviting speakers to its Convocations who do not necessarily agree with the school's doctrinal position or having past conduct issues.  Among the criticized invitees are:

*socialist Presidential candidate [[Bernie Sanders]]

*socialist Presidential candidate [[Bernie Sanders]]

*former NFL running back [[Ray Rice]] (who was infamously captured on video assaulting his then-fiancée in an elevator)

*former NFL running back [[Ray Rice]] (who was infamously captured on video assaulting his then-fiancée in an elevator)

*former NFL quarterback [[Michael Vick]] (who went to prison for his role in a dogfighting operation)<ref>http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=255717</ref>

*former NFL quarterback [[Michael Vick]] (who went to prison for his role in a dogfighting operation)<ref>http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=255717</ref>

*recently fired Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who was under investigation for NCAA recruiting violations and was alleged to have used university funds to procure a prostitute

*recently fired Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who was under investigation for NCAA recruiting violations and was alleged to have hired a female escort service (despite being married)

 

Current Athletic Director Ian McCaw was hired by Liberty only a few months after McCaw was forced to resign as [[Baylor University]] Athletic Director in the wake of Baylor's scandal involving football players assaulting females and the university not taking appropriate action to protect them.

==Notes==

==Notes==