AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Supreme Court seemed split on what laws, if any, could decide who controls Southern Methodist University. Justices heard from the university and the South Central Jurisdictional Conference Wednesday morning. Is ownership of SMU a ...

The crux of the issue is who controls the university—its Board of Trustees or the church—following the university’s 2019 attempt to distance itself. This move occurred as the church adopted stricter policies on LGBTQ+ ordinations and marriages.

A Texas Supreme Court hearing marked the climax of a significant six-year legal battle. SMU has declared its independence from the United Methodist Church, ending a 114-year connection while planning to retain its "Methodist" name.

The job abandoned by Jay Hartzell last week requires withstanding pressure from the highest offices in the state and criticism from the student body. I say: Bring it on.

The case stems from a lawsuit the United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference, which runs the church’s congregations in eight states including Texas, filed against SMU 2019 over control over the university.

(CN) — Southern Methodist University urged the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday to throw out a lawsuit by the Methodist Church seeking to regain control of the school.

The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could determine whether the United Methodist Church controls Southern Methodist University. SMU changed its governing language in 2019 to declare itself independent from the denomination’s control about nine months after the United Methodist Church voted to strengthen bans on gay weddings and pastors in gay relationships.

Southern Methodist University told Texas Supreme Court justices Wednesday it's controlled solely by its board of trustees, not the United Methodist Church.

The departure of the University of Texas at Austin’s president has kindled a discussion about the pressures facing public colleges in states that have targeted higher education.