The attempt to separate two academic disciplines (anthropology and sociology) from being scrutinized by the faith and morals taught by the Catholic Church worries me. There is nothing that explores and/or attempts to explain human behavior, human relationships, cultures, and societies that falls outside the purview of Catholic teaching.
This is because the concern of the Church is not with making sure an opinion passes peer review, it is with Truth. Our Truth is found not in any certain school of thought or politics or ideology. It is found in the person Jesus Christ and it is against His teachings that all truth must be measured against and held accountable to.
Sister Jane, did not go outside her area of expertise. She did have valid studies and papers that supported what she had said. But even if there had not been any scholarly articles agreeing with what she said she had every right and authority to speak the unpleasant truth about human behavior and relationship, especially those formed that go against Catholic teaching.
Pray for Sister Jane and pray for the cowards who forget the fight is not to be loved by the world but to share Glory with Christ, Our Lord, for all eternity.
The more I think about this, the more I suspect that this was the best excuse that the president of the college could come up with.