In a significant victory for free speech and academic freedom, a conservative professor has secured a multimillion-dollar settlement after a years-long legal struggle with his university. The case, which has drawn national attention, highlights ongoing concerns about ideological bias and the suppression of conservative viewpoints within higher education institutions.
Professor Nicholas Meriwether, a philosophy professor at Shawnee State University in Ohio, initiated the legal battle in 2018 after the university attempted to discipline him for refusing to address a transgender student by their preferred pronouns. Meriwether, citing his Christian beliefs and academic freedom, argued that being forced to use language that contradicted his convictions violated his First Amendment rights.
Shawnee State to pay professor $400,000 in settlement over student's preferred pronouns https://t.co/Sj2zQSxXCj
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) April 19, 2022
The dispute began when Meriwether responded to a student’s request to be referred to by female pronouns, despite being biologically male. The professor offered to use the student’s name instead, but the university deemed this response insufficient and initiated disciplinary actions against him. Meriwether then sued the university, claiming that his rights to free speech and religious liberty were being infringed upon.
After years of legal wrangling, including a significant ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Meriwether's favor, Shawnee State University agreed to a settlement. According to The Gateway Pundit, the university will pay Meriwether $400,000 in damages, back pay, and legal fees, as well as retract the disciplinary actions from his record. The settlement also ensures that Meriwether will not be required to use pronouns that contradict his beliefs in the future.
A Shawnee State philosophy professor is allowed to continue his lawsuit against the university over disciplinary action the university took after he refused to use the preferred pronouns of a student, an appellate court has ruled. https://t.co/WuMzVKeRtd
— Ohio Capital Journal (@OhioCapJournal) March 29, 2021
This legal triumph has been hailed by conservatives as a landmark case defending free speech on college campuses. It underscores the growing tensions in academia, where conservative voices often feel marginalized or outright silenced. Meriwether’s victory is seen as a crucial precedent for protecting the rights of educators who hold traditional beliefs, particularly in an era where progressive ideologies dominate many universities.
The case has also sparked a broader conversation about the balance between anti-discrimination policies and individual rights, particularly in educational settings. Critics of the university’s actions argue that forcing educators to conform to specific ideological positions undermines the very foundation of academic freedom. They contend that this case illustrates the dangers of allowing universities to police language and thought in ways that infringe upon constitutional rights.
Meriwether’s attorney, John Bursch of Alliance Defending Freedom, emphasized that this settlement sends a powerful message to universities across the country. He stated that academic institutions must respect the free speech rights of all professors, regardless of their personal beliefs. "This victory reinforces the principle that no one, including university officials, has the authority to force individuals to speak in ways that violate their deeply held convictions," Bursch said.
In response to the settlement, Shawnee State University issued a statement maintaining that the resolution was in the best interest of the university and its broader community, despite their belief that the initial actions were justified. The university also reaffirmed its commitment to creating an inclusive environment while respecting individual rights.
