University of Illinois reinstates Dr. Kenneth Howell

(Photo used with permission from Dr.
Ken Howell) 

Champaign, Ill. – The Alliance Defense Fund received a letter from University of Illinois officials Thursday confirming that Dr. Kenneth Howell will be reinstated as an adjunct professor for the Fall of 2010. Howell had been fired after an incident in which a student claimed his lecture about the Catholic Church's position on homosexuality in a class about Catholic doctrine was really “hate speech.”

In the letter received by the ADF, the university claims no fault with its previous decisions.  Such an admission could be interpreted as an admission of "wrongdoing" on the university's part and thus could potentially be grounds for later legal ramifications. 

The letter outlines the following resolution between the University and Howell:

1. Howell will continue to teach Introduction to Catholicism as an adjunct professor for the fall semester.

2.Howell's salary will be paid by the University of Illinois. (Previously it had been paid by the diocese of Peoria).

3. 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."

4. The Faculty Senate Committee will continue its investigation of the case.

Although this could be considered a "win" for Howell, it is one that will be celebrated cautiously.  Howell has been reinstated for the fall semester, but this does not guarantee his tenure, as adjunct professors are not tenured and are hired per semester.  The fact that Howell's case will still be under investigation by the Faculty Senate Committee could affect Howell in that his future actions in the classroom may be under very close scrutiny that will ultimately determine his employment for the next term.  Additionally, though the university admitted no fault in its actions and did not explicitly put fault on Howell in the letter, the university found it necessary to "remind" Howell of the way in which he is expected to teach, which seems to imply his previous actions may have been otherwise. 

Related Links:

Catholic professor fired after being accused of hate speech against homosexuals
What does the Catholic Church teach on homosexuality? (Part 1)
The email that sparked the controversy
The student complaint
ADF issues deadline to reinstate Dr. Kenneth Howell

To receive free email notifications of new articles, click on the "subscribe" link at the top.