Should GFU Issue Statements about Political Events?
Illustration by Breanna Newburn
Article by Madeline Teeter
NEWBERG, Ore. – George Fox University (GFU) recently faced backlash on social media from an alumnus of the school due to a lack of immediate response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. This raises the question of whether or not it is GFU’s place to make statements on such matters at all.
GFU has a policy that says the university will not issue statements on political, legal or social events unless they directly involve the university or the members of its community. According to Rob Felton, Chief of Staff, the policy was created in the summer of 2021.
“In 2020, we received a lot of pressure to issue statements on political and social issues and news events,” Felton said. “We came to realize that we were…creating statements about matters that didn’t directly affect campus and were not central to our mission.”
Nathan Sclimenti, a junior and President of the Political Science Club, said that he agrees with GFU’s current policy. He said “it’s a slippery slope” to pick and choose which political/social events are considered worth addressing.
Part of the criticism raised against GFU was that President Robin Baker made a statement in light of George Floyd’s death five days after the incident, while it took seven days to address Kirk. The current policy on political statements was created after the statement about Floyd.
In his blog that addressed Kirk’s death, Baker explained that he was in Ireland with the family of Brendan McGloin. He posted his blog on the day he returned.
While it may seem that GFU broke their policy by addressing Kirk’s death, this is not the case. “President Baker will from time to time write about topics that he’s been thinking about. His blog represents his personal thoughts,” Felton said. “An official statement from the university would be posted in a different place on the website.”
One of the main reasons for GFU’s neutrality is that it opens up a safe space for students and staff to share their beliefs. “We can feel how we want to feel about these things,” said Sclimenti. He explained that after Kirk’s death “there was very healthy discussion and coming together regardless of [political] leaning.”
“One of George Fox’s strengths is we have employees who truly care about our students,” Felton said. “Faculty, spiritual life staff and residence life staff are here for students to talk to during challenging times.” Felton also said to remember that counseling services are always available at GFU for students who need someone to talk with.
In having a position of neutrality, GFU is not shying away from addressing heavy topics. “George Fox doesn’t avoid all controversy because we are unabashedly Christian in a region that is the most nonreligious in America,” Felton said. The goal of such a policy is to create a welcoming and civil environment so that the community can work through these topics together.
