Kansas City, Mo. ? A statue criticized as anti-Catholic continues to cause problems for Washburn University, a week after a federal judge ruled that the school did not have to remove it from campus.

Alumni have expressed their disapproval of the statue by threatening to cut off their donations. Several high schools in Kansas have banned Washburn’s recruiters. The student newspaper, the Washburn Review, reported that recruiters from Washburn’s football team were refused access to the academic transcript of a student they hoped to enroll.

The sculpture, titled “Holier Than Thou,” depicts the bust of a scowling clergyman wearing a miter. Some observers believe the miter looks like a penis and have said the statue insults Catholics.

The work, by Longmont, Colo., artist Jerry Boyle, has been displayed on the campus in Topeka since September as part of a collection of outdoor sculptures. It is scheduled to be removed in July.

In January, a Washburn student and faculty member sued the school, saying the statue was an official expression of hostility toward Catholicism and violated their constitutional right to freedom of religion.

U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Van Bebber ruled last week that the university had not violated that right because “the court cannot conclude that a reKansas City, Mo. (ap) — A statue criticized as anti-Catholic continues to cause problems for Washburn University, a week after a federal judge ruled that the school did not have to remove it from campus.

Alumni have expressed their disapproval of the statue by threatening to cut off their donations. Several high schools in Kansas have banned Washburn’s recruiters. The student newspaper, the Washburn Review, reported that recruiters from Washburn’s football team were refused access to the academic transcript of a student they hoped to enroll.

The sculpture, titled “Holier Than Thou,” depicts the bust of a scowling clergyman wearing a miter. Some observers believe the miter looks like a penis and have said the statue insults Catholics.

The work, by Longmont, Colo., artist Jerry Boyle, has been displayed on the campus in Topeka since September as part of a collection of outdoor sculptures. It is scheduled to be removed in July.

In January, a Washburn student and faculty member sued the school, saying the statue was an official expression of hostility toward Catholicism and violated their constitutional right to freedom of religion.

U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Van Bebber ruled last week that the university had not violated that right because “the court cannot conclude that a reasonable observer would perceive the university’s display of ‘Holier Than Thou’ as an attack on Catholics.”

Washburn President Jerry Farley has said the university did not intend to offend anyone and that display of the sculpture was not anti-religious.

But critics, including donors to the school, maintain that the piece is offensive and should be removed.

In a letter to the school, Washburn law school graduate Karl Hesse said he could no longer support the university or its law school and would “redirect all such donations to more deserving missions and projects.”

Bernie Bianchino, a major alumni donor to the school, purchased a full-page ad in Washburn’s student newspaper, calling the artwork disrespectful and demeaning.

Bianchino said he wouldn’t object to the sculpture’s display in an art gallery, but he believed its placement outside of the student union conveys the message that it represented an official university position. He said he hasn’t decided if he’ll end his donations.

David Monical, a spokesman for the school, said the school hadn’t seen a big drop in donations.asonable observer would perceive the university’s display of ‘Holier Than Thou’ as an attack on Catholics.”

Washburn President Jerry Farley has said the university did not intend to offend anyone and that display of the sculpture was not anti-religious.

But critics, including donors to the school, maintain that the piece is offensive and should be removed.

In a letter to the school, Washburn law school graduate Karl Hesse said he could no longer support the university or its law school and would “redirect all such donations to more deserving missions and projects.”

Bernie Bianchino, a major alumni donor to the school, purchased a full-page ad in Washburn’s student newspaper, calling the artwork disrespectful and demeaning.

Bianchino said he wouldn’t object to the sculpture’s display in an art gallery, but he believed its placement outside of the student union conveys the message that it represented an official university position. He said he hasn’t decided if he’ll end his donations.

David Monical, a spokesman for the school, said the school hadn’t seen a big drop in donations.