Gallaudet University’s Chief Diversity Officer has a pretty obvious professional responsibility—to increase diversity at the historically deaf university in Northeast D.C. That’s why some people are questioning the decision made by the person in that capacity—Dr. Angela McCaskill—to sign a petition the helped put same-sex marriage equality in Maryland on the November 6 ballot. Explains Planet Deafqueer, which broke the story:

Dr. McCaskill, whose job at Gallaudet is to promote diversity and inclusion at Gallaudet, signed an anti-gay marriage petition dated July 12, 2012, in favor of overturning the Civil Marriage Protection Act and denying lesbian and gay people the basic right to marry.

A Gallaudet faculty member, who at this time wishes to remain anonymous, noticed Dr. McCaskill’s name, address and signature on the anti-gay marriage petition and inquired about it. When confronted by the faculty member, Dr. McCaskill confirmed that she had in fact signed the petition and explained that she had done so while at church, after her preacher had preached against gay marriage. As she was leaving, her husband pointed to the petition and she signed it without giving it further thought.

An official complaint was filed with the University last week by the mentioned faculty member and a meeting was held on Friday with Gallaudet University President, Dr. Alan Hurwitz.

The City Paper reports that in the wake of the incident, McCaskill was put on paid administrative leave today, and could well end up losing her job.

McCaskill was said to be a strong supporter of the university’s LGBTQA Resource Center, but the move has left some of her supporters disheartened and confused. President T. Alan Hurwitz seemed to hint as much in a statement, in which he said: “Dr. McCaskill has participated in a legislative initiative that some feel is inappropriate for an individual serving as Chief Diversity Officer. However, other individuals feel differently.”

“I will use the extended time while she is on administrative leave to determine the appropriate next steps taking into consideration the duties of this position at the university. In the meantime an interim Chief Diversity Officer will be announced in the near future,” he said in the statement.