BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Indiana University’s chancellor said she wants officials to re-examine the school’s rules for personal web sites following a flap over anti-gay comments posted by a professor.

Anti-gay remarks on economics Professor Eric Rasmusen’s Web log were “offensive, hurtful and very harmful stereotyping,” Chancellor Sharon Brehm told the Bloomington Faculty Council.

But Rasmusen’s right to express them was protected by the U.S. Constitution and IU policy on academic freedom, she said.

Rasmusen, who is a member of the Faculty Council, made no response during the meeting but commented later to a reporter.

“It’s hard to say anything interesting on the subject and make everybody happy, but that’s no reason not to discuss it,” he said.

Rasmusen said in his web log that gays should not be teachers, pastors or elected officials. He maintained that gay males tend to be attracted to boys, are “generally promiscuous” and are more likely than heterosexuals to molest children.

Brehm said such stereotyping is “completely at odds with Indiana University’s commitment to inclusion and its respect for diversity.”

Rasmusen later said he believed Brehm’s position was outside mainstream opinion. “It is fine if that’s her position, but she should realize it is a controversial one,” he said.

Brehm said she will ask the University Faculty Council, which sets academic policy for all eight IU campuses, to re-examine procedures for personal web sites maintained by faculty, staff and students.

A university attorney determined that the log did not violate any school policies, a day after the business school dean asked Rasmusen to remove it.

IU allows students and employees to create personal web pages that are available through its web site, but the university does not accept responsibility for their content.

Doug Bauder, coordinator of IU’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender support services office, said he was pleased with Brehm’s statement. He said 45 students, staff and faculty met last week to brainstorm how to address the controversy.

Bauder said suggestions ranged from public protests to offering pro-diversity speakers for business classes.