Mennonite U?

What if there was one Mennonite university and the various campuses were branches that were all connected? Imagine that EMU joined forces with Goshen, Bluffton, Bethel, and Hesston to provide higher education from an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective. If we have one Mennonite Church USA, why shouldn't we have one school?

This type of model, an idea which drew a number of interested participants in a faculty brainstorming session on Nov. 21, would be far more efficient. It could increase communication between Mennonite youth and decrease rivalries between the various schools. When we all have the same basic goal, competing for prospective students or financial gifts and donations doesn't make much sense. Duplicating programs is an inefficient use of resources that could be used for specialized programs. And such a cooperation would better fit the Mennonite values of community and solidarity. It's similar to the suggestion in the prioritization process that we focus on unique strengths rather than trying to do everything, except that in the big picture, the other programs would still be available.

Of course, there are a number of problems with such a proposal. How do you maintain the traditionally distinctive atmospheres of the campuses and match that with the majors and with the students? When students select colleges based more on location and atmosphere than on academic programs, specialization can deter rather than encourage prospective students.

But the real issues revolve around politics. There would have to be some designated "central" office, and people might fight about where that is and who would represent it. And because there is the potential for hurt and offense, the subject itself is dangerous to talk about. Maybe it will turn out that such a possibility is neither feasible nor desirable. Maybe we really are too different and our goals for such a deliberate integration. But if we don't talk about it, we'll never know. By exploring it, we might learn something about ourselves. Or other, even better ideas could emerge based on the same ideas of cross-school cooperation.

The logistics and details that inevitably must be addressed scare people away from asking the "what if" questions. Social and political concerns can restrict us from suggesting ideas or thinking too far outside the box. The danger that often gets overlooked is that constantly treading on eggshells can inhibit our potential as a community. It's based on the notion that if we aren't very careful people will assume the worst, and not bother to look twice at our words or ask us what we mean or focus on the value and possibility of the ideas. It assumes that if anyone suggests an idea they are ultimately tied to it and behind it and then sacrificed with it if it doesn't turn out to work. In order to have a creative and dynamic community, there needs to be a free flow of ideas. We have to dare to ask the "what if" questions and take the suggestions that others might venture with an open mind.