GRAND FORKS, N.D.
A University of North Dakota choir director who is being fired for allegedly failing to maintain professional boundaries with students says he is being targeted because he’s gay.
Anthony Reeves, an assistant music professor, said he believes his firing is related to his attempt to adopt a 19-year-old student who says he was disowned by his parents for being gay.
Reeves, in his third year at UND, will appeal the move to dismiss him at a hearing. His attorney, Henry Howe, said he expects about 25 choir members and other students of the nontenured teacher to testify in support of him.
“It is obvious to me that for some reason people at UND want rid of me,” Reeves said. “I don’t believe they have been straightforward about their reasons.”
University officials say Reeves violated the faculty harassment policy by making sexually based and demeaning comments to students, according to a letter Reeves received the first day of class this year.
In a personnel evaluation dated Oct. 18, music department officials said Reeves is inconsistent as a conductor and teacher and his recruitment efforts fell below expectations. Reeves denies the allegations.
