By RICHARD KOE

BEND - His teaching contract may not be renewed, but his faith has never been stronger as Kevin Haley, biology instructor at Central Oregon Community College, awaits God's plans for him and his family when he finishes spring quarter in June.

"I'm not sure what I'll do next, but I'm optimistic that God must have something really good for me, my wife, and two teenage sons," he told the media last month. They plan to remain in Bend.

Haley received regional and nationwide attention after several students and five faculty members at COCC complained last fall that he brought his religious views into the classroom and belittled women. After an investigation, Bart Queary, vice president for instruction, recommended to the college board that Haley's contract not be renewed.

During the investigation, Haley lodged a complaint alleging religious discrimination. He added that the administration's recommendation undermined academic freedom guaranteed by the teaching contract. But the school's Equal Opportunity Office dismissed his action, stating that academic freedom was not the issue. The administration thought that Haley's students were deprived of an adequate education in biology.

Several members of Haley's freshman biology class complained that he consistently undermined the theory of evolution while promoting the belief that life was created by God.

Haley said he did not teach creationism, but regarded evolution as a fatally flawed theory and encouraged students to read the arguments against evolution.

"Students who doubt evolution are more likely to find God," he noted. One student who filed a complaint against Haley said the instructor seemed not to understand how thoroughly his faith influenced his teachings and saw no reason to change.

A psychology teacher at the college said students need a firm grasp of evolution to understand a range of subjects from psychology and anthropology to basic biology.

As for complaints of his attitude toward women, Haley believes these were fabricated, and any demeaning was unintentional or misunderstood. Although he was targeted for his Christian beliefs, Haley was regarded by both students and faculty as an able teacher. His supervisor, Bruce Emerson, Science Department chairman, ealier had recommended Haley for a promotion. Haley's student evaluations the past four years have been excellent. Haley received his doctorate in genetics from Purdue University, and did post graduate work at Dartmouth College. His undergraduate work was done at a state college in Massachusetts. He also taught anatomy for seven years at the College of St. Mary, a Catholic institution in Nebraska.

The charges against Haley have rallied the Christian community in Central Oregon. Several churches - Crossroads Christian, Tumalo Baptist, and his own congregation, Christian Life Center - have invited him to speak and have prayed for him. Members of the Tumalo church also showed their support by attending the recent Central Oregon Community College board meeting when Haley was permitted to speak.

Haley said he won't fight for his job at COCC, but will pray for those who have hurt him. He will not retaliate, based on the words of 1 Peter 2: 21-23, where Christ set the example of not retaliating and making threats, but "entrusted in God who judges justly."