Sexuality issues discussed at forum

Josiah Garber

President Loren Swartzendruber initiated the open forum to discuss issues of safety on campus. During the forum he gave an overview of basic issues and university policy, and then answered questions raised by audience members.

Campus dialogue found a safe place in an open forum held in Lehman Auditorium on Tuesday afternoon. The event was well attended by students, faculty, staff, and others connected with EMU.

The forum was called by President Loren Swartzendruber to discuss "concerns raised by the group which organized the Pride Celebration held on April 2 and 7," according to an email invitation Swartzendruber sent to everyone in the EMU community. The focus of the discussion was about how to create a safe environment on campus for homosexuals and others who may feel threatened or intimidated.

During the forum, which was facilitated by Barry Hart of University Accord, Swartzendruber commented on the university's responsibility to adhere to policies and statements such as the Community Lifestyle Commitment and the Mennonite Confession of Faith. He explained that all organizations have standards for their employees and that "EMU is completely within its legal right to 'discriminate'" when hiring faculty and staff.

He also addressed rumors that the decision not to renew theater professor Paul Hildebrand's contract was because of homosexuality, calling these statements "simply untrue."

Swartzendruber and Hart both emphasized the issue of safety on campus, reiterating that EMU would not permit verbal or physical actions of violence toward anyone in the community. Swartzendruber called the EMU community to "behave in a Christ-like manner even when we disagree with each other." He also encouraged Mennonite youth to "fully commit to the church" in order to participate in opportunities for dialogue and discernment.

Following Swartzendruber's comments, the audience was given the opportunity to raise questions and concerns. Remarks covered topics such as the hiring and reviewing process, dialogue and peace building methods, safety on campus, homosexuality, and discernment by the faith community. Swartzendruber responded to each comment, offering clarification or further information based on the policies of the university.

When questioned as to why some past professors had been asked not to return, Swartzendruber said that "there have been people who have been asked to leave based on their sexual behavior, both homosexuals and heterosexuals." He stressed the "difference between orientation and behavior" when dealing with questions of homosexuality.

Though measures were taken to allow open and honest dialogue at the forum, participants admit that further steps can be taken in the future. "I think the forum was a very good first step in opening up dialogue and the administration saying that they're looking for dialogue," said second-year student Stephanie Miller. "Next time there should be ways to make it even easier for people to talk. Sometimes in situations like that, it's hard for people to talk about what they really want to say. We should be looking at how we set up the discussion, how people are approached, and whether they are answered. Real discussion needs to take place." One of Miller's main concerns is whether professors feel free to say what they think.

The Pride Celebrations held on April 2 and 7 were organized by Conflict Transformation Program students Michael Shank and Tracey King as a project for the "Ritual and Peacebuilding" class. During the events, a rainbow flag measuring 20 feet by 100 feet was displayed in front of the Campus Center. According to an email announcement sent by the students, their goal was to "publicly declare [their] wish for a truly safe campus."