The University of Arkansas has rescinded an employment offer to incoming law school dean Emily Suski less than a week after announcing her hire. The decision comes amid backlash from Republican state lawmakers over her advocacy for trans-identifying male athletes competing in women's sports.
The university confirmed the reversal on Jan. 14.
"After receiving feedback from key external stakeholders about the fit between Professor Suski and the university’s vacancy, the university has decided to go a different direction in filling the vacancy," the University of Arkansas Office of the Provost said in a statement.
Suski, a law professor and associate dean at the University of South Carolina, was one of several legal scholars who signed a friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief in the cases Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. BPJ. Both cases, which were heard last week by the U.S. Supreme Court, involve legal challenges to state laws that ban biological males from competing on female sports teams.
Arkansas has a similar law in place.
The decision to pull Suski's employment offer drew reaction from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, with Republican leaders applauding the move and Democrats accusing the state of political interference in higher education.
State Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester said he personally urged university officials to rescind the offer, citing Suski's position on transgender athletes and her broader legal advocacy.
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