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I thought I'd provide historical context, from my #MormonAmerican research, to a recent petition that accuses BYU of forgetting its religious mission.
The school has a long and interesting history that's relevant. /1 https://www.abc4.com/news/top-stories/byu-students-start-petition-to-bring-university-back-to-christ-centered-education/?fbclid=IwAR2Q_fRrImRObLHb7uTlOF_odLsDQPZ4K28BT5AKZEgyeevgi3bWfC_F734
The school has a long and interesting history that's relevant. /1 https://www.abc4.com/news/top-stories/byu-students-start-petition-to-bring-university-back-to-christ-centered-education/?fbclid=IwAR2Q_fRrImRObLHb7uTlOF_odLsDQPZ4K28BT5AKZEgyeevgi3bWfC_F734
BYU, these students allege, is becoming too much like "other universities" by prioritizing secular methods. Petitioners provide, notably, no concrete examples, though they do mention "courses, clubs, panels, conferences, events, and activities." /2 https://www.change.org/p/brigham-young-university-administration-and-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-emphasizing-christ-centered-education-at-brigham-young-university?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_23764797_en-US%3A2&recruiter=233741696&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
When explaining what they believe BYU should mean, they reference BYU addresses delivered in 1912 (Alfred Kelley) and 1962 (Ernest Wilkinson).
Notably, those addresses came during 2 of the biggest crises at BYU during the century, & reflect the school's evolving dyanmics. /3
Notably, those addresses came during 2 of the biggest crises at BYU during the century, & reflect the school's evolving dyanmics. /3
In the early 1900s, BYU aimed to become more credible & started hiring people with degrees from eastern universities. These new professors hoped to raise the level of instruction, including teaching current academic ideas...like evolution. /4
Not all were thrilled with this development. Some students & parents complained, and some LDS leaders were mad. A crisis erupted, resulting in the dismissal of several professors in 1911. Kelley's 1912 address was a conscious course correction, rejecting worldly learning. /5
That trend didn't last long. The 1920s saw a resurgence of strengthening BYU's academic chops, hiring strong scholarly professors and teaching credible courses. Their publications & teaching exemplified intellectual openness & scholarly rigor to an astonishing extent. /6
But once again, leaders grew worried. Internal polling revealed that students disbelieved core LDS doctrines to a surprising extent, and reported their testimonies weakened during their time there. And authorities worried faculty were leading them astray. /7
This resulted in a few decades of direct conflict between BYU professors and administration, as well as between BYU administration and Church leaders in Salt Lake. The school instituted annual worthiness interviews, and even tithing checks. /8
SLC leaders finally found someone willing to be their attack dog when they hired Ernest Wilkinson as president, who was dedicated to rooting out unorthodoxy and emphasizing conformity. Faculty reported that he even placed spies in their classrooms! /9
So Wilkinson's quote that's found in the this week's appeal reflected that crisis, as it showed a not-subtle chastisement of faculty that he believed were too heretical.
But here's the thing: BYU has evolved a lot since Wilkinson's tenure, as the politics have shifted. /10
But here's the thing: BYU has evolved a lot since Wilkinson's tenure, as the politics have shifted. /10
In the last few decades, the school has found a much better groove when it comes to balancing academic rigor and ecclesiastical endorsement. Most--though not all--departments are filled with faculty who are accepted in their academic fields while also not seen as a threat. /11
But intellectual rigor is one thing. The new horizon at BYU, and likely the anxiety behind this week's petition, is making the school more inclusive when it comes to students with diverse backgrounds, particularly those of color and those who identify as LGBTQ+. /12
Back in early March before the pandemic--remember those times?!?!?--there as a huge uproar over BYU policies concerning LGBTQ+ students, a reflection of continued struggles with the honor code. This, on the heels of modest, though meaningful, advances. /13 https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/06/rally-by-lgbtq-students/
Then, during the nationwide protests over racism, BYU students bravely raised their voices, as well, including someone who spray-painted "racist" on a BYU statue. The school responded with a new committee on race & inequality. /14 https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/6/17/21294962/byu-race-equality-black-lives-matter-petition-protest
These & other advances regarding race & gender are exceptionally modest, reflecting institutional reservations. But they seem radical to those devoted to traditional ideals, who recognize any change as creeping heresy. & they are likely, in part, what prompted this petition. /15
BYU is in a difficult place, and has always played a central flashpoint in crucial debates over modern Mormonism. Faculty ideals sometimes contrast with those in administration, and administration ideals sometimes contrast with church leaders. It's a broad spectrum. /16
Throw in students (and families) coming from a global & diverse membership, there are bound to be clashes.
Once again, debates over BYU's boundaries reflect the saga of the modern Mormon mind. And I don't see that fading any time soon. /fin
Once again, debates over BYU's boundaries reflect the saga of the modern Mormon mind. And I don't see that fading any time soon. /fin
