The Proceedings: Academic Exercises Part 2
For what it's worth, and before anyone starts commenting, here are some highlights from the highlights of the meeting:The concerns of Faculty were expressed in a petition to cease all proceedings regarding John Sanders employment, signed by 30 people. (I'm working on figuring out percentage of total faculty)
The concerns of students were expressed in a petition from 100 students.
Many personal letters were written by current and past students to the board members.
President Dowden expressed "frank remarks and presented several recommendations." In support of Sanders, apparently.
The Board has committed to praying for Sanders and family.
The Board will pay Sanders one years salary as a lump sum if he finds a job next year, otherwise he will get two years salary as a lump sum.
The Board will make "steps" toward preventing this from happening again, etc. (more on this later).
And finally, I quote:
"The Board requested that faculty, staff, and trustees not make any public statements, including statements to the media, relating to Huntington College personnel matters and that all public inquiries regarding this situation be referred to the President’s Office and the Chairman of the Board. "
Apparently this is stemming from a rather embarrassing episode (for some people) dealing with Jim O'Donnell and a public address regarding the economy. Unfortunately for the board, so far as I know this is not a legally binding "request" and hopefully many "faculty, staff, and trustees" will not be afraid to speak their mind. As much as I respect the frankness with which Pres. Dowden has dealt with the issue in the press, it would make sense for certain publications (Chronicle, CT, Huntington Herald Press, etc.) to talk with certain faculty members, especially those who have been recently dismissed. Hopefully faculty members will act according to their convictions and represent the history of academic freedom by responding in apropriate but blunt ways to this decision.
posted by Jake Sikora @ 12:04 PM
6 Comments:
I believe the number may have been as high as 33 that signed the petition and I think the total number of faculty is between 54-56.
I believe the number may have been as high as 33 that signed the petition and I think the total number of faculty is between 54-56.
during the question night with the president, he said we have 58 faculty -- of course, i could be wrong. especially since i couldn't really hear seeing how i was so mad.
but that's me.
Complexity puzzles.
This same Board of Trustees, at this same meeting, voted to add (for the first time ever) the Philosophy of Education, Mission Statement, and Statement of Faith into the institution's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. They further protected these standards by requiring that a 2/3 majority of the Board be necessary to change the Philosophy of Education, and a 4/5 majority be necessary to change the Mission or Statement of Faith.
This same Board of Trustees, at this same meeting, also participated in a 2-hour seminar on academic freedom, facilitated by the president of another Christian college.
Perhaps there's more to this story. Apparently it's a more complex situation than first realized.
Thanks for Posting on this site as well John. The fact that you have to do this without your name is kind of lame.
The Board also removed the following much-disputed phrase from the Articles of Incorporation.
"It is required of all members of the Board of Trustees, the faculty of Huntington College and all others holding positions under the authority of the institution to perform their duties in accordance with the doctrinal standard of the scriptures as taught and interpreted by the supporting denomination."
These actions seem to strengthen the administration's argument the Statement of Faith should be the only doctrinal standard required of faculty.
What do you think about this?
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