David Knowlton is ready to get back to a normal life.
Knowlton's appeal before BYU's Academic Vice President's Council concluded Friday morning."I'm going to go back to my office and start writing a book," then go out to eat with a friend, he said.
Friday was the culmination of a process that began in June when Knowlton, an assistant professor of anthropology, was denied continuing status after his third-year review at Brigham Young University.
On Monday, Knowlton met for 3 1/2 hours with the five-member council and presented his arguments stating his scholarship, teaching and citizenship met the standards required by BYU.
Knowlton said the appeals process has left him drained and he is looking forward to returning to a more normal life. It will be approximately six to eight weeks before a final decision is made.
Knowlton said he will decide when the final decision comes down what his next steps will be. If the council finds in his favor, he will stay at BYU unless he has a better job offer, Knowlton said.
If his appeal is denied, Knowlton may take legal action. His respect for BYU would make such a move difficult, he said on Monday.
Friday's meeting was for Knowlton's collateral appeal, in which he says he was released for reasons other than scholarship, teaching and citizenship. BYU President Rex Lee and Provost Bruce Hafen were also at the meeting.
"The university arrived at my decision because my record was misrepresented due to the impact of Mormon studies, the controversy of symposium and prejudice against good academic styles," Knowlton said.
His writings on masculinity in the LDS Church and on terrorism against Mormon missionaries in South America played a part in his firing, Knowlton said.
Lynn England, chairman of the sociology department, represented Knowlton and defended him in the area of Mormon studies.
Friday's meeting, like Monday's, was very amicable, Knowlton said.
"The academic vice presidents listened to me carefully," he said.
Margaret Smoot, BYU spokeswoman, said every issue of the collateral claim was discussed and that the entire meeting was "very open."
"I feel I've made a good case," Knowlton said.
Friday's meeting took two hours, but Knowlton remained behind closed doors for another half hour talking with Lee. Knowlton said he and Lee are distant cousins and were talking about personal matters.