The provost at Calvin College weighs in on the controversial memo decision.
The controversy erupted last week when the Calvin College Board of Trustees issued a memo forbidding any faculty members from teaching or writing about homosexuality in a favorable light. "Advocacy by faculty and staff, both in and outside of the classroom, for homosexual practice and same-sex marriage is unacceptable," said that memo. Many faculty members voiced concern over the memo as they felt they were denied due process in the decision. But the Board claimed it was just reiterating established policy at the Reformed Christian College. Following lengthy meetings with the faculty senate, and representatives from the homosexual community on campus, the Board decided to let the memo stand. Claudia Beversluis is the provost at Calvin College. "Well, I'm hoping that this whole process and this whole conflict can only strengthen our commitment to being an institution that is guided by the unity that we have together, and the way that we want to do all things in light of our major commitment to be a confessional community," says Beversluis. According to the provost, homosexual students on campus were worried how the ruling would affect them and if the memo would "empower those who want to harass" them. Beversluis notes that the college does not tolerate such actions and that they are continuing to trying to stay with their first principle that Calvin College is a place for students to explore their identity in Christ Jesus.
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