Asbury Seminary: Our accreditation isn't threatened
Posted June 10, 2007
The seminary's national accrediting agency, investigating complaints (plural) against one of the nation's largest evangelical schools of theology, sent a team of investigators to the Wilmore, Kentucky school late last week. Few details about the contents of the complaints were released by school officials, but an official said they don't threaten the school's accreditation. A written report from the Association of Theological Schools is expected later this week.
The school has seen donations plummet and a steady exodus of faculty and administrators since the forced ouster of president Jeffrey Greenway by the board of trustees last fall.
From: Communications Office
To: ATS Info, Staff News, Faculty News
Subject: A Message from the President
June 9, 2007
To our community,
Yesterday (Friday, June 8), a committee from the Board of Commissioners of The Association of Theological Schools, came to our Wilmore campus for a focused visit. Beginning at 8 a.m., they met with our president for an hour and then with the President’s Leadership Steering Team, followed by representative groups from the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and the student body. Representatives from our Florida campus were present for the PLST, faculty, and student sessions.
The Commissioners met briefly soon after 3:30 p.m. with the PLST (including our Florida members), Dr. Chuck Gutenson (faculty), Karen Bates (students) and Dr. Jim Smith (Board) to express their appreciation for the openness of the discussion and to explain that a formal, written report will be sent to the President’s office next week. The President, in turn, expressed his appreciation for the work TATS has done in studying and evaluating the complaints their office has received and in helping our seminary to become a stronger, more effective institution.
We want to affirm that Asbury’s accreditation is not being questioned in any way. Any directives from TATS will simply be to the benefit and improved ministry of Asbury Theological Seminary.
We will keep you informed of more specific details as we receive further word from The Association of Theological Schools.
J. Ellsworth Kalas, President
Leslie Andrews, Seminary Accreditation Officer
Comments
Here again, I have no knowledge of the substance and can comment only on the form. I give this one a B+.
The good news is that it was issued QUICKLY, well within the 48-72 hour window they had set for themselves, and does contain some news, that is, that the accreditation group met with the various constituencies. Of course, it could have characterized what some of its people said, but that might have been thought not cricket, given that this is still an ongoing process.
The only thing keeping this one from getting an A is the constant use of acronyms and initials, and techno-speak. Write more simply. People will read it.
Class dismissed.
I wonder who put out that bit information ---- only time will tell if it's correct!!
Whether their accreditation is in good stanidng or not, their reputation certainly is NOT, which could be even worse. Very sad.