Howdy Folks,
Today I begin a new phase of blogging. The following is a letter I wrote to the editor of our school paper, and thus, it wont be interesting if you dont go to the WU. But for those of us living in the Bubble, it is something worth thinking about.
Letter to the Editor:
I’m all for community, but IWU oversteps its bounds as a university when it attempts to enforce its Community Values Contract throughout the summer. When students agree to live by the standards proposed by Indiana Wesleyan, they adhere to values that the school feels necessary, seemingly, for two reasons. First—the school aims to encourage community among students by eliminating common distractions. Second—the school makes a concerted effort to maintain the Christian ethos.
How are these goals supported by enforcing the community values when there is no community? The extension of the contract serves only to frustrate and hamper students during the summer months. The school has the right to determine the rules and regulations that students must abide by when the students are a part of the community; however, when the community has disbanded the administration should no longer attempt to determine the personal choices of the students.
The rules of Student Development reflect the Christian ethos and even a clear parental tone. Of course, we should not forget the clear reflection of the Wesleyan denomination as well—which is only one subdivision of Christian heritage. When the Apostle Paul addressed those who ate meat sacrificed to idols and those who didn’t, the base of his ethic was clear: don’t cause your brother to stumble, but do what you feel is right. He also condemned the Judaizers for insisting that gentile Christians follow unnecessary rules. Many of the rules of the school take away freedoms that need not be taken away—at least from a Christian standpoint.
Granted, the school does not force students to join the community, but does that really justify the school’s application of denominational standards to students who are not Wesleyan? If the school feels that denominational rules are crucial to achieving the Christian community it desires, then by all means it should enforce these rules. It should not, however, attempt to saddle students with extra-Biblical rules after the community has disbanded for the year.
Indiana Wesleyan will not and should not shed the venerable Wesleyan tradition. Simultaneously, the school should not attempt to force its denominational and parental standards on students who have their own denominations and their own parents.
Indiana Wesleyan is a university, not a statement of belief. Whatever we do in the summer, let us do it all for the glory of God.
Sincerely,
Luke Helm
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7 comments:
Well done Luke Helm
beautiful writing... good points as well. It gives me a bit to think about and more importantly Todd V. and Rob T. something to think about. But remember the reason our tuition isn't 26,000 a year is because of those old fashioned Weslyan donnors.
Okey Doke-- Two responses: one for Nate's comment and one for a comment that Todd Voss will make right before our peaceful talk breaks down and I offer to fight him--
1). If Wesleyan donors affect this rule (they probably do), I have no problem calling the school to change the rule if for no other reason than it being the Christian thing to do. Can you imagine the the apostle Paul's reaction to Judaizers if he found out their unnecessary rules were the result of a "significant financial contribution for the new rec center adjoining the synagogue"? At one point in the Bible, he tells a group to emasculate themselves. (--cutting off of the genitals--For those of you who aren't Nursing majors) I dont think his admonition would be so pleasant if he came across a board meeting where members denied some Christians' freedoms in Christ due to large sums of money changing hands.
(by the way, thanks nate for pointing this out, i wouldnt have remembered that contention)
2). This will be said to me--guaranteed: "The community does not stop during the summer because the community's good name will be slandered by students who are no longer obligated (its the 'people still know you're from iwu' argument)."
Ok, let's break this down into a conditional (if...then).
IF---People see me having a beer during the summer...
THEN--- knowing that I go to IWU, they assume that IWU has fallen into decadence and moral disarray.
So, what is the problem with the "Slander our good name" approach?
A)It assumes that if they dont force the students to abide by their rules, then, necessarily, the students will misrepresent the school.
OR
B)It assumes that it is "Un-Christian"--not just Un-Wesleyan, to have a beer (or that someone, somewhere will think so)
This is evident--students never claim to be Wesleyan; they abide by the rules so as to be a part of the community (which is not a community during the summer).
Still more to come...and more to say, but I have paper/presentation due tomorrow and i'm on page 2.5 of 8.
Great letter, I think you have made a lot of points that will be difficult for the administration to answer with any sort of support beyond "because it looks bad for our school." The only thing I may contend is that when you use the term "unnecessary rules" it is left mainly in the subjective realm. Certain issues (drinking, dancing, etc.) will always have people claiming both sides (is necessary vs. is not necessary).
In business we call them stakeholders. And that doesn't mean butchers... they are people that have interest in the school. If my stakeholders want me to make a decision, I better do it, or they will disassociate with me. It's business... It's life. It happens in the church too. That doesn't make it right, but everyone does it. You make concessions you don't want to keep your friends/stakeholders happy. I don't disagree with your points nessicarily, just presenting another side.
Hmm...I wonder if the stakeholders (or steakholders) might agree with me. Essentially, I am saying this: though they obviously (and understandably) want the school to subscribe to the Wesleyan denomination, they may still see that the school should not enforce these !denominational! standards on students when school isnt in session.
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