From what I've read of Bev's story, she's a fighter. I don't know if she is the reason Applewhite's incident has suddenly made air time. I find it odd that UT of all places gave Kearney the option to resign or be terminated for this, considering that Austin is a very liberal area - I can't see Austin being hung up over same sex relationships at all.
I'd be curious to know how both relationships were reported. Telling someone 10 years after the fact could be the issue here, did Major come clean immediately?
Having a relationship with a subordinate is just flat out stupid, but it happens. How you deal with it could ultimately be the determining factor for how the University deals with you.