A national nonprofit group of professors devoted to academic freedom, shared governance, and quality higher education, recently argued that Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, is not an institution where academic freedom can be expected.
A judge in Bolivar, Missouri, ruled Thursday in favor of three individuals who filed motions to challenge new governing documents for Southwest Baptist University. The rare move further delays the school’s new articles of agreement from going into effect.
A conflict over the extent of the Missouri Baptist Convention’s control over Southwest Baptist University leads to disputes over changes to governance documents, tenure denials and more. This article cites Word&Way reports and quotes Word&Way Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor. Read full piece
A recent graduate of Louisiana College says administrators used strict social media policies to censor criticism of the college. College officials say they are within their rights to protect the reputation of the institution. Read full piece
The chair of Southwest Baptist University’s Board of Trustees sent a message to faculty about the ongoing conflict over control and theology. But the statement from Eddie Bumpers to “provide a greater level of clarity” actually included significant inaccuracies.
The next decisions impacting Southwest Baptist University won’t be made in closed trustee meetings or Missouri Baptist Convention sessions. Now the faculty, students, alumni, and trustees await decision from two non-Baptist groups that could determine the future of the school.
Trustees cited a lack of money and declining enrollment in deciding to close Baptist-affiliated Judson College, a small school for women which predates the Civil War. The decision Thursday came just days after what could be the last graduation exercises at the college.
Racial transformation is hard even when Christian schools are committed to change. Read full piece
The faculty of Seattle Pacific University, a Christian school associated with the Free Methodist Church, has taken a vote of no confidence in its board of trustees after members of the board declined to change its policy prohibiting the hiring of LGBTQ people.
Word&Way Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor responds to the decision by Southwest Baptist University to bar Word&Way from attending an upcoming SBU trustee meeting. Kaylor questions the motivations behind the decision to limit media access.