Gay Student Expelled, Allowed To Finish Year

WILLIAMSBURG, KY -- A student at the University of the Cumberlands that was expelled after he revealed he is gay will be allowed 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 Fs on his transcript when he was expelled.

"This will preserve my academic record," he told the Lexington Herald-Leader Tuesday night. He is now planning to transfer to Eastern Kentucky University.

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. Johnson's lawyer says that such complaints will be filed.

The university's lawyer, Jamie Jordan, said that "We're comfortable the university hasn't done anything in violation of Department of Education regulations or SACS requirements."

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance and Kentucky Collegiate Coalition are holding a rally Wednesday in Williamsburg to protest discrimination against gays. Johnson said he had not decided whether he would attend.