Adjunct professor Dr. Kenneth Howell learned Thursday that he had been reinstated at the University of Illinois-Urbana, after being fired after sharing the Catholic Church’s position on homosexuality when asked by a student in his class.

“The university did the right thing,” said David French, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund.  “It’s just a shame that it took legal intervention, as well as widespread protests to make it happen.”

French said the outpouring of support made a difference.

“I have no doubt that the public attention here made a very decisive difference in the university’s decision to restore his academic freedom,” he said.

An anonymous student claimed on May 4 that he was offended by what he deemed “hate speech,” prompting university officials to fire the popular professor.

In a letter written to Howell’s legal counsel – the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) – university officials said, “The School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics will be contacting Dr. Howell to offer him the opportunity to teach Religion 127, Introduction to Catholicism, on a visiting instructional appointment at the University of Illinois, for the fall 2010 semester. Dr. Howell will be appointed and paid by the University for this adjunct teaching assignment.”

Avoiding any admission of wrongdoing on the part of Howell or the university, the letter further outlined:

• Howell will continue to teach Introduction to Catholicism, as an adjunct professor for the fall semester.
• Howell’s salary will be paid by the University of Illinois. (It was previously paid for by the diocese of Peoria, Ill.).
• Howell, like other professors, will be expected to teach in such a way that “does not violate Constitutional principles precluding the ‘establishment of religion’ in a public university context.”
• The Faculty Senate Committee will continue its investigation of the case.

French remains cautiously optimistic.

“We’re going to continue to represent Dr. Howell and make sure that his academic freedom is protected now and in the future,” he said. “A university cannot censor professors’ speech –including classroom speech related to the topic of the class – merely because certain ideas ‘offend’ an anonymous student.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Learn more about ADF’s University Project.

Read the University’s reinstatement letter.

Read Howell’s 2009 Spring, Fall “Excellence in Teaching Awards.”

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