MILWAUKEE (AP) — Marquette University says a lesbian who has published works on gender and sexual orientation will no longer be offered a job as dean for the college of arts and sciences.
The decision to withdraw the offer to hire Seattle University professor Jodi O’Brien is drawing criticism from some Marquette faculty. About 100 students protested Thursday.
University spokeswoman Mary Pat Pfeil tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the decision wasn’t about O’Brien’s sexual orientation, but that some of her published writings “relating to Catholic mission and identity” were a factor.
Marquette is a Jesuit school. Some professors tell the newspaper they’re concerned about Marquette’s academic freedom.
