Recently, a document from the LSU Faculty Senate was leaked to Adventist Today, who alleged it was unanimously approved. However, we have learned from an LSU source the vote was not entirely unanimous, at least in the sense that not everyone voted. There was at least one senator who did not vote. This senator waited for an opportunity to abstain, but was not given the opportunity, according to our source.

During the course of the meeting one individual expressed concern that the resolution would be leaked before the Board of Trustees met February 11*, but it was not discussed. There are doubts as to whether the entire senate was aware it was leaked.

The source also stated there was no debate in the meeting in regard to the promotion of evolution by the biology professors, and on the surface the document was simply written to support faculty. Our source conceded that the language of the resolution was very broad and could easily be interpreted as support for the presentation of evolution as fact in the classroom. Such interpretation is further bolstered by the Faculty Senates’ affirmation of “academic freedom” within a parochial institution. There was no disclaimer by the senate stating that although it does not agree or support certain ideas of its professors, they support them as fellow employees. The whole issue, which the senate is well aware, surrounds the idea that LSU professors are promoting evolution as fact. Therefore, saying it supports the professors, with no disclaimer addressing the issue, makes the meaning of the document clear.

*Update 2/2/10: The concern expressed was in lieu of the Nov. 12, 2009, board meeting.