College professor wins $185,000 from St. Philip's College after being fired for encouraging debate on gender ideology, police brutality

A $185,000 settlement has been reached with a political science professor who was terminated from St. Philip's College earlier this year for encouraging discourse on controversial subjects such as police brutality and gender ideology, according to the College Fix.

Will Moravits said he was terminated in March for allowing hot-button debates in his classroom that centered around current controversial issues in America such as gender ideology, transgender rights, race, and police brutality, according to a draft complaint.

One female student had complained that Moravits allegedly made homophobic and pro-police brutality comments, which resulted in an official investigation being launched by St. Philip's College. Moravits, who was a former police officer, has maintained that those allegations were completely fabricated but the college terminated him from his position after he had been initially suspended.

Before the settlement had been reached, Moravits, who was represented by the Academic Freedom Alliance, said that he was gearing up to file a federal lawsuit on the grounds that the college had infringed on his constitutionally protected rights to Freedom of Speech and academic freedom.

"Don't let institutions push you around," Moravits told the College Fix. "The constitution is on our side. They are hoping to bully us and make us go away. Stand and fight. This is the future of our country. There are organizations that can help you."

Three students in his political science class gave affidavits in support of Moravits, asserting that the accusations were fabricated.

Nathan Marin, one of the students who swore an affidavit in support of Moravits, stated in an interview with The College Fix that he believed the investigation into his former professor was biased.

"It seemed like they were trying to get him on something," Marin said. "I'm pleased it got settled. They kicked him out based on no evidence, just hearsay."

The draft complaint stated that officials "proved so hostile to free speech and academic freedom that it escorted Dr. Moravits from campus under armed guard. In a sham investigation that followed, the Alamo discovered affirmative evidence that the student’s complaint was based entirely on false accusations. But this did not matter. Alamo promptly called off the investigation and fired Dr. Moravits anyway."

In addition to the $185,000, the agreement includes St. Philip's College writing a neutral job letter of recommendation for Moravits.

Kristi Wyatt, a spokesperson for the college, told the outlet when reached for comment that officials believe in "internal and mandated investigation processes and, when necessary, mediations and the court system to safeguard rights and facilitate a fair and just outcome."

Will Moravits also teaches political science at Texas State University, where he says he is treated with respect, and is the author of "The Blue Divide: Policing and Race in America."