A federal judge's ruling lets attorneys for Augusta State University stop gathering evidence until a decision is made on whether or not the case will go to trial.

In court documents filed last week, U.S. District Court Judge Leon Barfield said ASU’s motion to dismiss the law suit was “case disposative”. That means it could prevent the case from moving forward.

Jennifer Keeton sued ASU in July because she says professors in the school’s counseling program told her to change her religious beliefs or face expulsion

That’s after they say she expressed unwillingness to counsel gay students in class discussions and written assignments.

Tags: Augusta, lawsuit, Augusta State University, Jennifer Keeton