On December 4, Southwest Baptist University President, Dr. Eric Turner, lead a listening session on the Bolivar campus with the SBU student body to address the questions, "What should we change about SBU?" and "What should never change about SBU?" In light of recent events regarding the dismissal of Redford College of Theology and Ministry professor, Dr. Clint Bass, Dr. Turner made the following statement:
"I want to talk to you, just man to man and woman. Last week you learned, and then subsequently you received a portal announcement regarding the dismissal of a faculty member. I've been hearing from you, receiving emails from you, questions from you, visits from you, and I hear you. I hear you. You're asking me, you want me... to tell you the reasons why for the dismissal. I do, I hear you. I understand... what you're asking. I understand. For some of you, you're confused. I understand some of you are hurt. I understand some of you are angry. I get it, I totally get it. For me, however, to share what you're asking me to share is inappropriate, it's unprofessional, and it's contrary to our mission, let alone unscriptural what you're asking me to share. Simply put, we cannot do what you're asking me to do. These are personnel issues and they are regarded as confidential. Let me put it this way. If there were student discipline issues in your file, those items are confidential. You would not want me to share those items with your classmates, with your colleagues, and they're confidential. You don't know me very well. I know that. I'm the new kid at SBU... I'm the new kid. You don't know me very well, but I'm asking you, I need you to trust me. I need you to trust me, and we just need to move forward from there. Now, with that, our listening session is not a Q&A, it's listening from you."
The first question posed to the students was, "What should never change about SBU?" The responses of those in attendance are as follows:
- The 12:1 student/faculty ratio
- The relationships students are able to build with faculty and staff
- The events offered to students (such as coffee talks and movies)
- The caring community on campus
- Dr. Turner's frequent interaction with students
- The passion and love that the professors have for the students, both academically and spiritually
- The commitment to the ministry of Jesus Christ in every department
- The vast and overwhelming amount of clubs and student organizations
- The excellent computer science department
- The opportunity for academic, career, and ministry connections
- The presence of God on the university
- The ability to go on mission trips
- The opportunity to fail and learn from mistakes
- The opportunity for personal empowerment through staff connections
- Community bathrooms
The second question posed to the students was, "What should we change change about SBU?" Summaries of the responses of those in attendance are as follows:
- A printer and computer should be available in every dorm building
- Students should have the ability to enroll themselves in classes
- Mellers sanitation standards should be improved
- Worship and fellowship should be improved in chapel
- The CGC should offer on-campus ministries and improve the spiritual training of those who go on mission trips
- Cosmetic issues such as mold and poor carpet in dorms need to be addressed
- Wheeler should be updated
- Ministries and service opportunities in the Bolivar community should be re-evaluated for CLW credit
- An AED should be placed in every campus building
- Prices of meal plans and housing are encouraging students to move off-campus for financial reasons and should be re-evaluated
- Opportunities for students to help renovate buildings could become a CLW credit opportunity
- Mellers variety is limited, particularly on weekends; student meal requests should be implemented
- The Redford college should affirm the Baptist faith
- The CLW credit system should be improved through more variety or opportunities to earn credit
- Chapels should be treated as a church service, perhaps with communion
- More accommodation should be made for married and pregnant women
- Dorm kitchens should be updated and supplied with kitchenware
- The student body should do more to support athletics and the arts, perhaps through student sections or clubs
- More seating, such as picnic tables, should be placed near Wheeler and Jester
- More "hang out spaces" should be placed on campus, such as seating and hammock poles
- The Wellness Center gym and fitness center should be updated
- Surveys about chapels should be sent out every semester
- Mellers should offer extended hours or shorter meal plans
- Pedestrian safety measures should be improved in the parking lot behind Wheeler and Jester
- The sidewalk behind Plaster was removed in the Taylor construction and never replaced
- SBU housing for married students should be offered
- More washers and driers should be added to dorms
- The new CLW class should not be pass/fail due to transcript issues for students who may be transferring out of SBU
- SBU counseling services should not be in an academic building for increased anonymity
- A doctor should be provided on campus for students who cannot afford CMH healthcare; the nurse should receive improved training to help students rather than referring them to CMH
- Graphic design students should have access to Adobe Creative Cloud passwords for access on personal devices
- Maupin and Old Campus should be utilized somehow
- A Sunday service should be offered for students who do not go to church or do not have a ride to church
These are summarized lists of responses and are not comprehensive, direct quotes. Members of the administration recorded the responses in detail and will consider these responses in strategic planning for the future of the university. Listening sessions have also been conducted on Springfield, Salem, and Mountain View campuses.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals being quoted or paraphrased and do not necessarily reflect those of Infuse Student Media.
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