SMU, Methodist Church and Texas Supreme Court

Texas Supreme Court hears arguments in case likely to determine control of SMU
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.
SMU challenges authority of Methodist Church in Texas Supreme Court hearing
Southern Methodist University told Texas Supreme Court justices Wednesday it's controlled solely by its board of trustees, not the United Methodist Church.
SMU Wants to Separate From the Church but Keep the ‘Methodist’
The Texas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in an ongoing legal saga between the United Methodist Church and Southern Methodist University over who governs the university.
Southern Methodist University urges Texas Supreme Court to let it split from church
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. SMU's boa
'They shut the door on us': Texas Supreme Court hears arguments in SMU split from church
The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments on if SMU can split from the United Methodist Church after the board of trustees voted to leave the church in 2019 following the church's refusal to recognize same-sex marriages and ordain clergy who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Southern Methodist University Wants to Sever Ties to Its Church. Can the Church Stop It?
The dispute, which some critics say tests the church’s autonomy, reached the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday for arguments.
Methodist Church and Southern Methodist University clash over control reaches Texas Supreme Court
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.
SMU moves to sever ties with United Methodist Church as dispute heads to Texas Supreme Court
The Texas Supreme Court will hear a case on Thursday regarding the rift that dates back to 2019, when the church adopted a strict stance against LGBTQ+ rights related to marriage and clergy ordinations.
University Of Texas President Hartzell Leaving To Head Up SMU
University of Texas Austin President Jay Hartzell is leaving his position to become the next president of Southern Methodist ...
SMU and UT: A look at how the two Texas schools compare
Jay Hartzell will lead a vastly different campus environment at Southern Methodist University after leaving the University of ...
UT President Jay Hartzell to step down, lead Southern Methodist University
He will officially take over as SMU’s president on June 1, following approval by SMU’s board of trustees Tuesday.
The Texas Tribune on MSN12d
SMU’s bid to split from United Methodist Church heads to Texas Supreme Court
He added that he did not want the university’s Perkins School of Theology to be only associated with one sect of Methodism.
UT-Austin President Jay Hartzell leaving for Southern Methodist University
University of Texas President Jay Hartzell is leaving UT to become the next president of Southern Methodist University, the ...
SMU Hires University of Texas President Jay Hartzell
The University of Texas will now begin a search for a new president. On Tuesday, university president Jay Hartzell announced ...
San Antonio Express-News11d
SMU’s bid to split from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ+ rights heads to Texas Supreme Court
Shortly after the board’s decision, the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church sued the SMU, arguing that the university didn’t have the authority to update the language in the ...