Comment on La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief by Shane Hilde.
June 2010 WASC issued a letter to La Sierra University president Randal Wisbey, stating it would return for a special visit spring 2011, because of what WASC considered a threat to LSU’s institutional autonomy and academic freedom. The Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) gave LSU until Dec. 31, 2012 to demonstrate its faithfulness to the biblical creation account. It will be interesting to see how WASC reacts to the AAA action. The letter to Wisbey stated:
In your communications with the Commission, both in writing prior to meeting and at the Commission meeting, you expressed the commitment of the board and the president to resist efforts that would compromise academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
It is unknown exactly when WASC will visit LSU, but I assume if it hasn’t happened already that it will be very soon.
Shane Hilde Also Commented
La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief
I think it would be more intersting if the conversation steered away from 3SG 90-91.
La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief
@La Sierra BIO Student: The initial allegations toward LSU were originally made by students. There have been two student led petitions in the past, 1999 and 2004, that spoke of this issue. Educate Truth was created by a graduate of LSU who took one of the biology classes promoting evolutionary theory as fact.
Could you elaborate on the “half-truths” these students are making in their allegations?
Also, don’t forget that AAA confirmed the allegations just be talking with the professors themselves for three hours. A conversation that should have happened at the beginning.
You’re right though about people needing to go to LSU and see things for themselves. I wish more had done this. Much more would have been revealed about the situation.
La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief
This issue is off topic though, so if you’d like to continue discussing it, you can email me.
Recent Comments by Shane Hilde
La Sierra University Hires Another Darwinist
ADvindicate has also published an article about LSU and Raul Diaz that expands on a few details.
http://advindicate.com/?p=2625
A little-known history about Belief 6
@Eddie: The Bible does not specify an age of accountability (to my knowledge), but the Israelites considered the age of 12 to be the turning point. I wouldn’t base a theology off of tradition though. Also, it’s not our place to judge what happens to those who have not been able to make a decision.
Perspectives from alleged LSU students
@Blodgett: Was there a comment you’d like to add?
At La Sierra, Biology Faculty Affirms Importance of Teaching About Creation in Curriculum
@David Read: And perhaps not something Christ would do. I can understand your frustration though. I’ve been on the verge of quitting this whole thing many times. I’ve been guilty of letting that frustration control and influence things I shouldn’t have said.
I have to remind myself to look at the big picture. In the end all those who are not supposed to be in the church will be sifted out. I pray I am not one of them.
Board of Trustees Addresses Curriculum Proposal
I know from talking to a couple of reporters from Press Enterprise and Inside Higher Ed that Randal Wisbey was effective in shutting down communication between any outsiders and the biology faculty. It appears he made himself the only channel of communication between the board and biology faculty.
I emailed Larry Becker about what bylaw the board members broke that was worthy of dismissal, and I have yet to hear a response from him.
I would also note that board members at other universities appear to be free to talk to the faculty.
Another interesting point. He removes three board members for trying to work on the problem and come up with a solution, and then turns around sort of embraces what they’re doing. He can’t publicly condemn it because everyone can see, whether you agree with what they wrote or not, that it’s a significant step for the faculty to be speaking to the church.
Did he forbid the document from being published? No. If you’re really excited about seeing the biology department making advancements in solving the issue, why are you removing the people who are making that happen. He never did anything like that.
What has Wisbey done to address and fix this issue? Nothing. He’s dragged it out, lied about what’s been happening, and told everyone involved to shut up or get in trouble. What on earth is he trying to do?
Who knows, he might even be a part of the underground movement to sever LSU from the church by using WASC as the big hammer. It’s obvious from one former board member, there was interest in using WASC to manipulate the situation.
