GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) Calvin College leaders aren’t withdrawing a controversial memo regarding the discussion of homosexuality, but say they will take more time to study how Christian Reformed Church teachings relate to academic freedom.
In a letter issued to the college’s faculty Monday (Oct. 26), board of trustees chairman Bastian Knoppers said they did not change a policy banning the advocacy of homosexual practices and same-sex marriage.
But trustees said they understand many faculty members thought they did and deeply regret “confusion and distress that has resulted,” he said.
Knoppers said discussions over the issue have been “intense, at times uncomfortably so,” but also “grounded in good thinking, frank speaking and spirited meetings” and, perhaps, were “overdue.”
“While awkwardly begun, the discussions, debates, panels, meetings and writings will, we believe, make the College a better place,” he wrote.
The memo, which was adopted in May and publicly surfaced in August, said it is unacceptable for Calvin faculty and staff to teach, write or advocate counter to CRC tenets on homosexuality.
The Faculty Senate voted earlier this month to ask the board to withdraw the memo, saying it stifles academic freedoms that encourage open discussion of social issues between students and professors.
Professors still are digesting Knoppers’ letter but are pleased the issue will continue to be discussed, Faculty Senate Vice Chair Karin Maag said.
“When they came to a lightening-quick conclusion in May, it wasn’t good,” she said. “So coming to a lightening-quick decision now wouldn’t be good, either.”
Maag said professors were concerned with the content of the memo but also had worries about the process by which the board arrived at a decision.