Chick-Fil-A
A university dean resigned after her school banned Chick-Fil-A. Here, A 'Dirty Donald' burger (L) and a 'Kim Jong Yum' burger (R) is placed on a table at the Durty Bird restaurant in Hanoi on February 21, 2019. - The new menu was inspired by the forthcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Manan Vatyayana/AFP/Getty Images

A university dean was not pleased when her job banned fast-food chain Chick-Fil-A for political reasons and she has since decided to step down from her position.

Cynthia Newman, who worked at the College of Business Administration at Rider University in New Jersey, said that it took her several weeks to make her decision but chose to quit as she is a Christian. She will remain as a part of the faculty and will work as a professor in September, reports NJ.com.

Rider University made their choice after sending out a survey to students asking them what restaurants they would like to see on campus. When a second survey was sent, Chick-Fil-A, a corporation which has spoken out in opposition to the LGBTQ+ community, was no longer an option. The university explained that their values with the chain clashed.

“I felt like I had been punched in the stomach when I read that statement because I’m a very committed Christian,” Newman said in a video interview with Campus Reform, a conservative higher education blog, which first reported her resignation.

“Chick-fil-A’s corporate purpose statement is to glorify God, to be faithful stewards of all that’s entrusted to them and have a positive influence on everyone who comes into contact with them. And I would say that mirrors my personal beliefs perfectly."

Rider University has since spoken out about Newman's decision. Kristine Brown, associate vice president of marketing and communications, said Tuesday, "While we respect Dr. Newman’s personal decision, we maintain that the decision about choosing an on-campus restaurant franchise was in no way a judgment on religious values."

Brown added, "Rather, our intention was to foster a sense of respect and belonging of all members of the campus community, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. The University thanks Dr. Newman for her many contributions to Rider since assuming the role of dean in 2017."

When asked about the school's decision, Chick-Fil-A said about the matter, "We have no policy of discrimination against any group, and we do not have a political or social agenda. More than 120,000 people from different backgrounds and beliefs represent the Chick-fil-A brand."

This is not the first time Chick-Fil-A lost customers due to a college's beliefs. In 2012, Davidson College in North Carolina made the same decision after the president of the chain condemned same-sex marriage, leading Davidson students to make a petition to stop serving the food at events, which 500 individuals signed.

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