Allegations of Milligan University forcing a professor to resign due to their sexuality last semester has become a topic of major discussion. How Milligan is handling LGBTQ+ issues has launched the school onto the front page of WJHL and the Johnson City Press, as well as the news section of Inside Higher Ed.
WJHL published information about the situation on Oct. 2. The article includes interviews with Milligan students and Hopwood Christian Church pastor Ben Lee, along with a statement from President Bill Greer. Greer also referred to Milligan’s statement on sexuality, which the board of trustees approved in October 2015.
In April, a group of Milligan students sent emails to Milligan administrators and trustees. The letter, available on WJHL’s website, was not a call to rehire the professor but a critique on how the school handled the situation. “Milligan has taken advantage of the fact that they are a private, religious institution,” it stated.
President Greer stated to WJHL that “while Milligan’s position may run counter to trends in popular culture and society, we remain committed to our interpretation of scripture and the protection of religious freedom that is provided by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Likewise, we remain committed to providing a safe, welcoming educational environment for everyone.”
WJHL highlights the letter as well as looking at the legality of the situation. According to Stewart Harris, a constitutional law professor at Lincoln Memorial University and host of the podcast “Your Weekly Constitutional,” forced resignation from a private religious institution is legal.
“While (the University of Tennessee) or (East Tennessee State University) couldn’t fire a faculty member for being gay, a college like Milligan, a private religious institution, can,” Harris told WJHL.
Inside Higher Ed, self-described as the leading source for news, analysis, and services for the entire higher education community, followed up on the WJHL story on Oct. 5. The story focused on the letter written by students.
The Johnson City Press article, posted on Oct. 20, highlighted a recent resolution by ETSU’s Student Government Association’s academic affairs committee to condemn the decision made by Milligan.
“We want to make the statement that Milligan crossed a red line here,” said ETSU SGA vice president Seth Manning.
The resolution will go to the full ETSU SGA senate for a vote the afternoon of Oct. 27. The outcome of the vote could determine connections between the two schools for athletics and academics.
This is an ongoing story. The Stampede will continue to provide updates and other coverage.