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.
The Kentucky
Fairness Alliance and Kentucky Collegiate Coalition held a
rally Wednesday in Williamsburg to protest discrimination
against gays. (AP)