The Results of the SDA Church’s Adoption of
f the World’s Accreditation Standards in the Early 1930’s
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In the following document, the WASC is the
Accreditation Association that accredits colleges of the world and now the
SDA church’s educational facilities since the church decided to adopt the
world’s accreditation standards in the early 1930’s. 1.
La Sierra University Biology Faculty
and Trustee Statement Affirmed ... spectrummagazine.org/.../la-sierra-university-biology-faculty-and-tru...Cached
6 Oct 2011 – The Adventist
Review article in the story above links to downloadable pdf
versions of both documents: LSU
biology faculty/trustee statement ... Google Search on WASC
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a 501(c)(3) organization, is recognized as one of six regional
associations that accredit public and ... Re: La Sierra College -- Read the full texts of the
both the LSU biology faculty/trustee statement and the response by the North American Division leadership. Not completely trusting the
longevity of the links, here are the respective statements: Joint Proposal of individual
La Sierra University Faculty and Trustees The controversy over the
teaching of origins at La Sierra University (LSU) has led us, through informal
dialogue, to propose an approach-in-principle to resolving these issues. 1 Notably, our dialogue has
been consistent with the suggestions of members of the WASC visiting team
(April 2011), that Faculty and Trustees talk directly and collegially with
each other about these important matters in light of the unique faith-based
mission of our University. Our Joint Proposal is the
result of our dialogues, which by deliberate design were conducted across a
wide spectrum of views, with the conceptual input of various scholars and
individuals. 2 From these discussions, we
as individual Faculty and Trustees have generated and here propose an
approach-in-principle to the teaching of Creation at LSU, which maintains the
Seventh-day Adventist faith of our University and the integrity of our
science programs. In our dialogue, we found a
solution to be the teaching of Creation as a faith conviction, rather than as
science. Creation is not a scientific construct. It is a faith construct. The
conviction of Divine Creation lies beyond the purview of the methods of
empirical science, and cannot be subjected to them. Nevertheless, faith and
science can and should constructively interact. This approach is based on two
core principles: I. Affirmation and
incorporation of the Biblical concept of creation, including the Seventhday Adventist understanding of Genesis 1 and 2, as
a faith position at the classroom level, when questions of origins are
discussed. II. Continued teaching and
research in the various disciplines of the modern sciences according to the
most up-to-date and rigorous standards of the published science, to which we contribute as practicing scientists and active
faculty, including the data which highlight the strengths and weaknesses of
various models. In accordance with the
principles of academic freedom, as appropriate to a faith-based institution,
the incorporation of these core values into the curriculum is the responsibility of the faculty of the Department of Biology in their
science classes, and of the University Studies faculty in interdisciplinary
classes and seminars. In addition, we suggest the
following: • La Sierra University hosts
an NAD Office of Education Summit3 of scientists, biblical scholars, and
theologians, who are actively publishing in the peer-reviewed literature on: 1 Our informal dialogues were
indirectly initiated by the formal invitation of President Randal Wisbey to the Biology Faculty to make a presentation to
and dialogue with the LSU Board in September of 2009. 2 Including the North American
Division (NAD) Vice President for Education, Larry Blackmer,
who is also a member of the Adventist
Accrediting Association (AAA). 3 We are grateful to NAD Vice
President for Education Larry Blackmer for
proposing the Summit as an NADsponsored event where
these scholars can gather by themselves to freely engage. He also directly provided documents which
helped clarify various salient issues. Vice President Blackmer
was especially helpful in commun Issues relevant to origins
within their respective academic disciplines of the earth sciences, the
biological sciences, biblical studies, and the theology of creation—in order to freely discuss together the difficult issues. An NAD
Summit would not replace the important role provided for Adventist educators
at all levels by the biannual GRI Council (GRICO) meetings, which are so ably
run by the Geoscience Research Institute of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. We see the proposed NAD Summit
meetings as fulfilling a different and complementary role to GRICO. • Promotion of an ongoing
culture at La Sierra University of open and transparent dialogue on these
important issues among Faculty, Trustees, and Administration on campus. • Continued dialogue with
other thought-leaders and fellow Adventist educators beyond our University, and with members of AAA and the NAD, has been
and will continue to be advantageous. We believe that the ongoing
comments and suggestions of our fellow individual colleagues, among Faculty,
Trustees, and Administration, especially while the University takes steps regarding the recommendations from WASC and AAA,
will be invaluable. This Joint Proposal is the result of us working together
as individuals. As members of this faith-based, academic community which we
love and serve, we do not presume to speak on behalf of our University, or
the Board of Trustees. Undersigned individual LSU Faculty: James Wilson, PhD Lee F Greer,
PhD Lloyd Trueblood, PhD Professor; Chair Assistant
Professor Assistant Professor Cell biology Molecular systematics, genomics Marine biology L Lee Grismer,
PhD Natasha Dean, PhD Eugene Joseph, PhD Professor Assistant Professor
Associate Professor Herpetology, systematics Microbiology Bone cell biology Undersigned individual LSU Trustees who support this
Faculty-initiated Proposal: Kathryn Proffitt,
Carla Lidner Baum Marta Tooma
Alvaro Bolivar Businesswoman Dentist Dentist Surgeon Former US Ambassador to Malta
Community volunteer Philanthropist -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Response to the Joint Proposal The North American Division
has received and reviewed the "Joint Proposal of Individual La Sierra
University Faculty and Trustees." The officers of the division are very supportive
of the dialog that has taken place with the LSU biology faculty and several
trustees and we would encourage a stronger commencement of discussion
regarding the concepts contained in the Joint Proposal. We are in general
agreement with your core principles: I. Affirmation and
incorporation of the Biblical concept of creation, including the Seventhday Adventist understanding of Genesis 1 and 2, as
a faith position at the classroom level, when questions of origins are
discussed. II. Continued teaching and
research in the various disciplines of the modern Biological sciences
according to the most-up-to-date rigorous standards of the published science, to which we contribute as practicing scientists and
active faculty, including the data which highlight the strengths and
weaknesses of various models. It is understood that in an
academic setting modern science and faith-based creationism are both
frameworks that need thorough exploration and definition to ensure that our
conversations are based on mutual understanding of those terms and the
implications surrounding them. Also, although the two frameworks are different,
they are not individual silos in which we are able to work, without relating
to the other framework. It has always been the
position of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America that we want
all of our institutions of higher learning to uphold the highest levels of
academics including rigorous science, as defined in section II above. At the
same time we support your affirmation of the Seventh-day Adventist position
on creation, which is a literal six-day, short-term creation. While we understand the
tensions that exist between these positions, the most important values that
we hold together are the student's faith and its expression as they leave our institutions. The NAD is committed to
hosting a summit of participating scientists, theologians, and biblical
scholars in Adventist higher education to further the dialog and to clarify
how to strengthen the faith maturity of our students while providing
comprehensive science education. This summit should not be a
time of debate over the wording of a position or statement, but should be
held in a protected environment to openly discuss how to best move forward
within the context of the natural tension between science and a faith-based creation
position. We believe this is not only an issue at LSU, but is a broader issue
that needs to be considered by the highest levels of the Adventist Church,
involving all institutions in NAD. We commend the individuals who
have drafted and signed this important proposal. Open dialog and conversation
is the only method to resolve controversy and to move forward as an
organization. The proposal is a major step forward in that conversation and
with prayer and continued diligence is the basis for more direct resolution
of the ongoing controversy surrounding LSU. Thank you for your willingness to
open a channel of communication and to work together on behalf of all
students in Adventist schools in NAD. |