A Missouri State University professor has been placed on leave as part of the settlement of a lawsuit brought by a student who reported that Frank G. Kauffman had tried to force her to sign a petition supporting "gay" adoptions.
According to the Alliance Defense Fund, which brought the case on behalf of student Emily Brooker, officials at the school reacted quickly to the lawsuit, agreeing to a settlement that repaired damage inflicted when she was punished for expressing her Christian views on the subject.
"Being a Christian shouldn't make you a second-class citizen on a college campus," said David French, the senior legal counsel for the ADF. "Instead of being a marketplace of ideas, some professors try to silence or even punish students whose beliefs do not conform to their personal worldview.
"To its credit, the university launched an investigation immediately after Emily's case was filed and has taken appropriate action against the professor and appropriate action to repair Emily's reputation and record. I only wish other administrations would respond as quickly to violations of students' rights," French said.
The university confirmed the settlement, announcing that it would "clear Brooker's official record," and pay damages of $9,000. It also agreed to "waive academic fees at Missouri State University, or in lieu thereof, reimburse an amount equal to two years of degree work toward a Master of Social Work degree" at costs estimated at $12,000, "plus Brooker will receive $3,000 per year in living expense for two years of graduate education."
"We acted on these allegations as soon as we became aware of them," said school President Michael Nietzel. He said there also will be a comprehensive evaluation of the Social Work Program, and the school will work on implementing policies regarding freedom of speech and expression.
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