Below is a news release from Missouri State University in regards to the Christmas tree taken down earlier this week.

The decision has been made to put the Christmas tree in Strong Hall at Missouri State University back on display, along with other religious holiday symbols in that building. As a result, the meeting originally scheduled for Friday afternoon (Nov. 30) to discuss the situation has been canceled.

“We decided this is the right thing to do, and I am glad there was widespread agreement about it,” said President Michael T. Nietzel. “Missouri State is an institution at which many different religions are represented, and we try to be sensitive to the many views people hold. After having had 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. I hope we can have it on display before the end of the day.”