MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News has learned that Marquette University has begun the process of firing tenured political science professor John McAdams from the university. McAdams announced this development on his blog on Wednesday evening, February 4th.
McAdams posted a copy of a letter issued to him by Richard Holz, Marquette University College of Arts & Sciences Dean.
The 15-page letter dated January 30th, 2015 includes the following statement:
This move comes after all of McAdams' second semester classes at MU were cancelled, and he was placed on paid suspension as university officials began an "in-depth review" of McAdams' actions after he blogged about an incident occurring in a philosophy class back in November 2014.
In November, McAdams wrote about the incident -- saying a graduate student teaching the class didn't allow a discussion against same-sex marriage to occur.
Then, the controversial Westboro Baptist Church organized a protest on Marquette's campus, and countless letters, complaints and emails were sent to Marquette University and McAdams from folks across the country.
"At least 100 emails of support -- and a few, a small handful of nasty, unkind emails," McAdams said.
Marquette officials wouldn't speak directly about McAdams' suspension -- but they did issue a statement earlier this month:
A blog called the "Daily Nous" reports Cheryl Abbate, the graduate student who was talked about in McAdams' blog post left Marquette University.
FOX6 News reached out to McAdams, who says he plans to fight his termination.
The letter sent to him says that he can file an appeal:
Marquette University issued this statement late Wednesday:
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