A lawsuit against Emporia State University (ESU) is taking a significant turn as it heads to jury deliberation. This case was initiated by Dusti Howell, a former professor, who claims he faced religious discrimination from the university’s leadership.
Howell argues that he was barred from observing important holy days, which he considers essential to his Christian faith. He contends that the university’s leadership, specifically Dean Joan Brewer and former IDT department head Jim Presinger, conspired against him. Howell believes that their actions violated his civil rights.
The case dates back to 2022, but the roots extend further. Howell alleges that in 2018, plans began to push him out before he could retire early. At that time, he was a tenured professor. Notably, this was prior to ESU implementing a policy from the Kansas Board of Regents that led to the layoffs of over 30 staff members.
In 2020, after returning from a significant religious celebration, Howell was informed that future absences for religious reasons required two months’ notice. Furthermore, he faced disciplinary action for taking a leave that he claims he did not actually take.
In 2016, ESU considered a policy regarding religious absences but ultimately took no action. This legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of a recent Supreme Court case, Groff v. Dejoy. The court ruled that employers must show that accommodating religious absences would create undue hardship.
Senior Judge Richard Walker has been overseeing the case, which was transferred from other judges to ensure fairness. While ESU has chosen not to comment on the ongoing lawsuit, this case highlights the wider issues of religious freedom and discrimination in educational settings.
As this situation continues to develop, it raises important questions about how universities handle religious accommodations. It reminds us of the delicate balance between institutional policies and personal beliefs.
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