Politics at the University
Well, I haven't blogged in a few a days so I think I'll crack my fingers (crunch! pop! snap! Hey, a triple!) a get to work.
The reason I haven't written in a while is because of all the drama that has been going on at old Mercer U. Apperantly the Georgia Baptist Convention voted (this is only an initial vote; a more permanant, deciding one will be made next Nov. in '06) to break ties with the University, causing Mercer to lose roughly 3 million dollars in Baptist funding. Not that 3 million dollars is a great deal of our overall income (roughly 10%) but its still enough to have a lot of people shaking in their boots.
The official reason for the GBC breakoff is that the GBC feels it no longer has any influence over the university. Unofficially, but still connected to the official reason, is that certain groups such as the Mercer Triangle symposium (the campus Gay/Strait alliance) and faculty such as Kirby Godsey threaten several dogmas of the Baptist tradition (no homosexuallity, Jesus is the only way to salvation etc.). It is because they feel unable to exert controll over said groups and individuals that they are cutting ties.
So now Mercer is stuck with three main problems. The first is how to compensate for the potential loss of 3 million dollars and convincing Baptist students to continue attending. The second is deciding whether Mercer will continue to remain a Baptist School (therefore putting up with the demands of the GBC) or take the secular route of universities like Wake Forest who used to be Baptist affiliated. The third is that if Mercer decides to remain a Baptist affiliated school, will it continue to support groups like the Mercer Triangle Symposium and faculty who teach doctrines contrary to that of the Baptist Tradition.
Personally, this matter is really frustrating to me. It is a battle that, no matter which way fought, will only result in a loss for Mercer University. Should they remain with the GBC, Mercer may have to compromise its long standing views on tolerance and moderation. But if they break from the GBC it would mean a sharp dip in funding and a loss of a Baptist identity that has stood for over 175 years.
P.S.
I'm writting this blog as a seperate entry to the one about University Politics. It was just to long and the other stuff I wanted to write about didn't fit the overall mood. But anyway.
I got a new job at the UC, otherwise known as slackers anonymous. It's the best job that I've ever had because nobody, and I mean nobody, has to do hardly anything! Most of the time I just sit around doing homework or playing games on the computer. The people who work here are really cool too. Just yesterday about four of us goofed off for about an hour talking about real estate. So essentially, I'm getting paid to do absolutely nothing.
I did have to miss one of my brother's college b-ball games but from what he told me, it wasn't much of a game. They spanked the opposition 86-54 (or something like that). The 9 hour drive to the game wasn't something I missed either...
But thats all for now. Until later my fellow vouyers!
The reason I haven't written in a while is because of all the drama that has been going on at old Mercer U. Apperantly the Georgia Baptist Convention voted (this is only an initial vote; a more permanant, deciding one will be made next Nov. in '06) to break ties with the University, causing Mercer to lose roughly 3 million dollars in Baptist funding. Not that 3 million dollars is a great deal of our overall income (roughly 10%) but its still enough to have a lot of people shaking in their boots.
The official reason for the GBC breakoff is that the GBC feels it no longer has any influence over the university. Unofficially, but still connected to the official reason, is that certain groups such as the Mercer Triangle symposium (the campus Gay/Strait alliance) and faculty such as Kirby Godsey threaten several dogmas of the Baptist tradition (no homosexuallity, Jesus is the only way to salvation etc.). It is because they feel unable to exert controll over said groups and individuals that they are cutting ties.
So now Mercer is stuck with three main problems. The first is how to compensate for the potential loss of 3 million dollars and convincing Baptist students to continue attending. The second is deciding whether Mercer will continue to remain a Baptist School (therefore putting up with the demands of the GBC) or take the secular route of universities like Wake Forest who used to be Baptist affiliated. The third is that if Mercer decides to remain a Baptist affiliated school, will it continue to support groups like the Mercer Triangle Symposium and faculty who teach doctrines contrary to that of the Baptist Tradition.
Personally, this matter is really frustrating to me. It is a battle that, no matter which way fought, will only result in a loss for Mercer University. Should they remain with the GBC, Mercer may have to compromise its long standing views on tolerance and moderation. But if they break from the GBC it would mean a sharp dip in funding and a loss of a Baptist identity that has stood for over 175 years.
P.S.
I'm writting this blog as a seperate entry to the one about University Politics. It was just to long and the other stuff I wanted to write about didn't fit the overall mood. But anyway.
I got a new job at the UC, otherwise known as slackers anonymous. It's the best job that I've ever had because nobody, and I mean nobody, has to do hardly anything! Most of the time I just sit around doing homework or playing games on the computer. The people who work here are really cool too. Just yesterday about four of us goofed off for about an hour talking about real estate. So essentially, I'm getting paid to do absolutely nothing.
I did have to miss one of my brother's college b-ball games but from what he told me, it wasn't much of a game. They spanked the opposition 86-54 (or something like that). The 9 hour drive to the game wasn't something I missed either...
But thats all for now. Until later my fellow vouyers!