Missouri State reverses decision to take down Christmas tree

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri State University has reversed a decision to take down a 20-foot Christmas tree and will instead reinstall it along with symbols from other religions, the university said Thursday.

The tree had been removed from Strong Hall on the university's campus Monday after a Jewish faculty member complained that it showed a "lack of sensitivity" to other religions.

But the tree will be reinstalled along with symbols from other religions. The university said in addition to the tree, a menorah will be placed next to it and a display case would be created to house an "educational display of holiday traditions."

A meeting to discuss the situation, which had been scheduled for today, was canceled.

"We decided this is the right thing to do, and I am glad there was widespread agreement about it," Missouri State president Michael Nietzel said in a statement.

He said the university has many different religions and tries to be sensitive to everyone's views.

"After having a chance to air this out a bit more and consider the various perspectives of our campus community, I am happy that the Christmas tree will be back up along with the many others that were already on campus," Nietzel said.

The artificial tree was taken down Monday after Lorene Stone, dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs, was told about the faculty member's complaint by the co-chair of the president's diversity commission.

Gov. Matt Blunt said in a release that he was "deeply troubled" by the university's decision to take the Christmas tree down.

"President Nietzel's reversal of this outrageous decision by university bureaucrats was the only proper decision, and I thank him for it," Blunt said.

Courts have ruled that Christmas trees are secular symbols if they do not bear religious decorations, such as a cross, said Jana Estergard, head of the school's Office of Equity and Diversity.

Stone, who put the tree up the day before Thanksgiving, said she didn't use any religious symbols on it.

"I tried to make it as secular as possible. It had ribbons, bows and fake icicles on it," she said, adding she's frustrated over the issue.