By the Student Senate

Calvin College is at odds over a fundamental question right now: the requirement that faculty members send their children to Christian secondary schools.

The issue of Christian schooling has been debated on and off with some intensity for several years. However, it came to a dramatic climax with the situation of former Broene Center Counselor Bob Reed, who was forced to leave the college because he would no longer agree to the requirement due to personal convictions. The college would not grant him an exception.

The Student Senate, following much discussion, has decided it is imperative that we weigh in on the matter and conscientiously adopt a defined position from which we can present our case. We feel that this is a student issue almost as much as it is a faculty issue because our professors choose to stay or go based on their feelings towards the college's position.

In response to the Reed situation specifically and to discontent among the faculty over the requirement generally, President Byker and the Board of Trustees assembled a seven-person committee charged with reviewing the criteria upon which exemptions to the policy are granted. It was revealed at the latest Faculty Senate meeting, however, that several members of the Board of Trustees were members of the committee, while only three faculty members were part of the committee. In addition, only one woman was on the committee, alongside six men. Obviously, the committee's composition was unacceptable to most members of the Faculty Senate, as well as the members of Student Senate. We felt that this group would be unable to accurately represent the faculty on so great an issue.

It should be stated firmly from the outset that the Student Senate supports the Christian schooling requirement and is not seeking its removal or abandonment. The requirement is indeed a fundamental principle that the CRC has adopted as part of its identity, and as such it should not be given up.

Senate does, however, support the Faculty Senate in its quest to have the exemption policies reviewed and rewritten, and the policy review committee reconstructed, to prevent situations like Reed's and any future instances of similar principle and merit.

We therefore appealed to the Board of Trustees that the exemption criteria be expanded to allow and encourage Christian service in the world. The following is the text we submitted to the Board of Trustees on Feb. 15:

-----

We the Student Senate represent the student body in an important matter for the Board's consideration. We believe, in light of recent events, that the exemption criteria of the Christian schooling requirement should be reexamined.

We believe that the Christian School requirement is necessary and beneficial to the fundamental character of the Reformed faith and Calvin College, and as such, it should not be eliminated. However, recent events have demonstrated that both the exemption policies as they are currently implemented, and the committee in charge of their oversight, are insufficient and flawed.

We have not come to this decision lightly; rather, we have debated this in great seriousness for many hours. We believe it would be inappropriate for the Student Senate to remain silent on this issue. While we know we cannot single-handedly change these policies, we feel we must speak to this issue and do so from a firmly-stated and unambiguous position.

Clearly, the work of every Christian in transforming the world for the glory of Christ is the very highest goal to which we can be called. We believe that in the circumstances of Christian education, this work stands above other commitments to institution. As such, Christian education should not merely be viewed within the static bounds of private religious education.

However, the mere reflection of the spirit of Christian education is not in itself sufficient for the best interests of this college. A promise made to educating children in a vaguely-stated ``Christian manner'' is not enough. Knowledge alone does not ensure the continuity of the Reformed Christian faith from generation to generation. Rather, the totality of knowledge, faith, and experience is necessary for this continuity, and should therefore be present and prevalent in the circumstances of the situation to which the exemption is sought.

As such, exemptions to the Christian schooling requirement should be given in those circumstances where a justified reason exists and where a commitment to all aspects of Christian education can be demonstrated outside of the boundaries of private Christian schools.

This means that the requirement cannot and should not be avoided because a faculty or staff member disagrees in principle with the requirement. It means, instead, that the college is willing to recognize and make appropriations for those faculty or staff members whose personal work places their family in such circumstances where Christian education is either not feasible or is counterintuitive to the principle of their work.

We feel that such work is in keeping with the best interests and character of Calvin College, and should be recognized and encouraged. By doing so, the college is not compromising its commitment to Christian education, but is instead strengthening that commitment by realizing that Christian education takes place within the whole community of the Kingdom of God, not merely within the walls of a Christian school. We feel that this is a fundamental principle, both of this college's philosophy and of the wider Reformed tradition.

Therefore, we appeal to the Board that the exemption policies to the Christian school requirement be updated and revised to reflect the college's commitment to lifelong Christian education.