Since starting at Eastern, I have truly learned the sacrament of confession. And I must confess a number of things about my beloved major department, biblical studies. Eastern’s biblical studies courses are not designed to be like a Bible study at your youth group back home. As valuable as those may be, biblical studies here […]
Confessions Of A Biblical Studies Major Read Post »
A few weeks ago, I walked into a half-full Gough Great Room where the Human Sexuality Task Force (HSTF) sat, prepared to answer questions and hear thoughts from students. They began the panel by reading two questions—one, it seemed, from each “side” of this “conversation”—and the panel responded to both questions. I thought that was quite
A Detrimental Absence: On the Human Sexuality Task Force Student Forum Read Post »
On Jan. 20, a representative of the Department of Education told reporters that a searchable database of universities that have been granted waivers to Title IX will be accessible to the public “in coming months.” The development of the database was started after eight lawmakers, including Sens. Ron Wyden and Bernie Sanders, signed a letter
Christian Colleges Request Title IX Exemptions Read Post »
On Thurs. and Fri., Nov. 12-13, terrorist groups attacked three different cities: Baghdad, Beirut, and Paris. The group claiming responsibility for the attacks in all three cities calls itself “The Islamic State” (aka IS, ISIS, ISIL), but in the Arabic world, and increasingly in the West, they are known as “Daesh,” which resembles the Arabic
ISIS Attacks Three Cities Read Post »
In light of the recent faculty and staff layoffs, recommended by the Organizational Design Task Force and approved by Dr. Duffett, many might be wondering what sort of financial situation our university is really in. Are we really in financial danger? Or in danger of being in danger? Additionally, questions may arise about how well
Faith, Reason and Economic Justice Read Post »
The advent of LGBTQ rights is upon us, not just in the United States, but around the world. Contrary to what the religious right and the liberal left will have you believe, LGBTQ rights are far more complex and numerous than just “gay marriage.” While they are not perfect or all-encompassing in any iteration, the
After Same-Sex Marriage Read Post »
On Sept. 21, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) convened to evaluate the memberships of Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and Goshen College after the two Mennonite schools became the two first CCCU member institutions to include the categories “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in their non-discrimination policies. Though the CCCU reports that “approximately
CCCU Struggles Against Potential Split Over LGBTQ Rights Read Post »
Last spring, rigorous conversations about human sexuality continued from the previous summer and fall in the form of intentional public conversations and lectures. These events were the fruit of a task force that was first convened by Dr. Duffett in the summer of 2014. This task force was formed in response to the backlash Duffett
Conversation on Human Sexuality: Phase II Read Post »
As Jordan Kolb wrote in “Goshen College, EMU Change Hiring Policies” on page 1-2, Goshen College and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) both changed their hiring policies regarding LGBT faculty. Over the summer, both Mennonite schools announced their additions of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to their non-discrimination policies—a motion contrary to their Mennonite denomination’s beliefs.
Goshen and EMU’s New Policies Demonstrate Commitment to Justice Read Post »
I have met very few people who unabashedly like this new brand Eastern adopted last spring. Perhaps it’s just the people I surround myself with, but to me, the brand comes off as pretentious and almost as an attempt to distract from EU’s own internal problems. The most immediate problem I take with “Wake ^
“W^TW”: Brands Matter Read Post »
