Difference between revisions of "Bob Jones University"
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In late 2008, the university issued a statement <ref>BJU: ''Statement about Race at Bob Jones University'' [http://www.bju.edu/about/race.html]</ref>, apologizing for its earlier policies. | In late 2008, the university issued a statement <ref>BJU: ''Statement about Race at Bob Jones University'' [http://www.bju.edu/about/race.html]</ref>, apologizing for its earlier policies. | ||
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| + | == Sexual Abuse Report Controversy == | ||
| + | For decades, it is alleged, former students and staff from Bob Jones University stated students who sought help from university counselors were told not to report the abuse because turning in an abuser from the Christian community would damage Jesus Christ. It is further alleged the university administrators called the victims liars and sinners. <ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/education/christian-school-faulted-for-halting-abuse-study.html?_r=0</ref> | ||
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| + | The university hired ''Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment'' (GRACE), an organization dedicated to to educate and empower the Christian community to identify, confront and respond to the sin of child abuse. <ref>http://netgrace.org/about-us/</ref> On February 7, 2014, Dr. Stephen Jones, president of Bob Jones University announced the termination of a contract with GRACE even though the report was in the final stages. <ref>http://blogs.bju.edu/pr/2014/02/07/update-from-dr-stephen-jones-on-grace/</ref> | ||
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| + | On February 13, the university released the following statement: ''Bob Jones University and GRACE will meet next week to discuss the concerns of both parties and determine a plan for moving forward. Bob Jones University and GRACE remain hopeful this project can be completed with GRACE and in so doing raise sexual abuse awareness and minister to victims whose lives have been ravaged by abuse.'' <ref>http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20140213/NEWS/302130057</ref> | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 16:50, February 14, 2014
| Bob Jones University | |
|---|---|
| City: | Greenville, South Carolina |
| Type: | Private |
| Colors: | dark blue, light blue, whtie |
| Website: | http://www.bju.edu/ |
Bob Jones University is a conservative, Christian arts college in Greenville, South Carolina. It welcomes homeschoolers; nearly 30% of the student body has graduated from homeschool programs.[1]
Its Mission Statement is: Within the cultural and academic soil of liberal arts education, Bob Jones University exists to grow Christlike character that is Scripturally disciplined; others-serving; God-loving; Christ-proclaiming; and focused Above.
The Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley, MP, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive, holds an honorary doctorate from Bob Jones University. Billy Graham also attended Bob Jones University, although he ended up graduating from Wheaton College in Illinois. John D. Ashcroft accepted an honorary degree from BJU in May 1999. Republican senators Jesse Helms (N.C.) and Strom Thurmond (S.C.), along with Republican Representatives Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Asa Hutchinson (Ark.), also received honorary degrees. [2]
Asa Hutchinson and his brother, Tim Hutchinson, graduated from BJU in the early '70s. [2]
For years, Bob Jones University was a routine campaign stop for conservative Republicans visiting South Carolina. Ronald Reagan, Dan Quayle, Pat Buchanan and Robert J. Dole campaigned at BJU. [2] Presidential candidate Alan Keyes and Democratic South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges also campaigned there. [3]
Accreditation
Bob Jones, Sr., the founder of BJU, was fearful of obtaining academic accreditation for the school. Over the years, as pressure mounted on the institution to give its students the benefits of accredited degrees, the university moved towards membership in the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Accreditation was not obtained until 2005.[4]
College Life
Bob Jones University is well known for its stringent rules it applies to its students, and many of its rules are based on a strict interpretation of the Bible. Pornography, homosexuality and sexual activity outside of marriage are all strictly banned. Students are not allowed to have posters of movie and music stars and fashion models in their dorms or watch films or listen to New Age, jazz, rock and country music (including Contemporary Christian music) [5]. Strict dress codes also apply. Conservative and modest dress styles are required and tattoos, dyed hair and body piercings (with the exception of ear piercings for female students) are all banned.
Political Controversy
In the primary race in 2000, George W. Bush campaigned at BJU, where he stated "I look forward to publicly defending our conservative philosophy." [6] His Republican rival, John McCain, used the visit against Bush in a telephone calling campaign that turned out Catholic voters for the Senator. The McCain ad stated "Governor George Bush has campaigned against Sen. John McCain by seeking the support of southern fundamentalists who express anti-Catholic views." McCain said the calls didn't accuse Bush of bigotry, only the people Bush was turning to for support. [7]
Bush reacted to the political distortions by criticizing the attempts at guilt by association. He wrote a letter affirming that he is not a religious bigot and sent it to Cardinal John O'Connor of New York.[8]
Such spats are common in primaries, and McCain subsequently endorsed Bush for president in 2000[9] while Bush endorsed McCain for president in 2008.[10]
Racial Controversy
Bob Jones University did not enroll black students until 1971. Until 1975 only married black students were allowed to enroll. Afterwards it had a policy against interracial dating and marriage, for which the Internal Revenue Service revoked the the university's 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in 1976. The University challenged this action, but lost when the Supreme Court upheld the ruling in 1983. [11]
The university announced in 2000 that its policy against interracial dating was no longer being enforced and was officially discarded. [12]
In late 2008, the university issued a statement [13], apologizing for its earlier policies.
Sexual Abuse Report Controversy
For decades, it is alleged, former students and staff from Bob Jones University stated students who sought help from university counselors were told not to report the abuse because turning in an abuser from the Christian community would damage Jesus Christ. It is further alleged the university administrators called the victims liars and sinners. [14]
The university hired Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), an organization dedicated to to educate and empower the Christian community to identify, confront and respond to the sin of child abuse. [15] On February 7, 2014, Dr. Stephen Jones, president of Bob Jones University announced the termination of a contract with GRACE even though the report was in the final stages. [16]
On February 13, the university released the following statement: Bob Jones University and GRACE will meet next week to discuss the concerns of both parties and determine a plan for moving forward. Bob Jones University and GRACE remain hopeful this project can be completed with GRACE and in so doing raise sexual abuse awareness and minister to victims whose lives have been ravaged by abuse. [17]
References
- ↑ Bob Jones University. Welcome Homeschool Students
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Washington Post: Bob Jones: A Magnet School for Controversy, University's Policies Haunt GOP Hopefuls, By Juliet Eilperin and Hanna Rosin, Friday, February 25, 2000; Page A06 [1]
- ↑ Salon.com: Jonesing for votes, George W. Bush's speech at a college that bans interracial dating raises questions about his compassion, by Jake Tapper [2]
- ↑ bju.edu: Bob Jones University Granted National Accreditation, Greenville, S.C., November 8, 2006[3]
- ↑ http://www.bju.edu/become-a-student/accepted-students/expectations/residence.php
- ↑ At Bob Jones U., A Disturbing Lesson About The Real George W., by Derrick Jackson[4]
- ↑ CBS News: Bush Regrets Bob Jones U. Calls Visit There "A Missed Opportunity" NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2000[5]
- ↑ The letter contained this sentence, which is often quoted out of context to imply that Bush was criticizing evangelicals, when he was not: "On reflection, I should have been more clear in disassociating myself from anti-Catholic sentiments and racial prejudice. It was a missed opportunity, causing needless offense, which I deeply regret." CNN: George W. Bush's Visit to Bob Jones University Continues to Stir up Controversy, aired February 27, 2000 - 8:09 p.m. ET [6]
- ↑ Boston Globe. MCCAIN'S NEW MESSAGE IN N.H.: ELECT BUSH May 14th, 2000.
- ↑ FoxNews.com Bush Endorses John McCain for President March 5th, 2008
- ↑ This ruling was upheld, over the objection of the U.S. Solicitor General, in 1983 by the ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States in Bob Jones University v. United States. BOB JONES UNIVERSITY v. UNITED STATES, 461 U.S. 574 (1983) [7].
- ↑ CNN: Bob Jones University ends ban on interracial dating, March 4, 2000 [8]
- ↑ BJU: Statement about Race at Bob Jones University [9]
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/education/christian-school-faulted-for-halting-abuse-study.html?_r=0
- ↑ http://netgrace.org/about-us/
- ↑ http://blogs.bju.edu/pr/2014/02/07/update-from-dr-stephen-jones-on-grace/
- ↑ http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20140213/NEWS/302130057
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