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Jason Johnson was
expelled from University of the Cumberlands earlier this month after his
Christian university raided his myspace.com web page and expelled him.
Due the the imminent close of the school year and possibly some fear of
litigation from Johnson, the school negotiated a deal where Johnson will be
able to submit his final schoolwork and receive his grades without penalty.
The good thing is that Johnson's grades will not be affected by the school's
legalized bigotry. The bad thing is that he did have to give up any
option of taking legal action against the school.
These types of negotiations happen quite frequently. Usually they
happen without the scrutiny of the press and public. Negotiations like
this happen frequently for this issue as well as other issues at religious
schools.
You may read more about the negotiation below. We still need everyone
to electronically sign the letters on our site to be sent to University of
the Cumberlands.
Expelled gay Kentucky student will be allowed to finish school
The University of the Cumberlands, a religious school in Williamsburg, Ky.,
will allow a student it expelled after he revealed he is gay to send in work
to finish his courses and receive final grades, the student and his lawyer
said Tuesday. Jason Johnson, 20, and the school reached an agreement
concerning his final transcript, according to Johnson and his lawyer, Don
Waggener of Lexington.
Johnson was expelled April 6 after posting his sexual orientation on a Web
site. The dean's list student received all F's on his transcript when he was
expelled. "This will preserve my academic record," he told the Lexington
Herald-Leader regarding the agreement.
Under the agreement, Johnson relinquishes his right to sue the university
for damages but retains his right to file complaints with the U.S.
Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools, the regional accrediting agency. Waggener said complaints will be
filed with the two agencies.
Said Jamie Jordan, the university's lawyer: "We're comfortable the
university hasn't done anything in violation of Department of Education
regulations or SACS requirements." Johnson said he plans to transfer to
Eastern Kentucky University.