Christian University Vent

[ReluctantPegasister]

I went to visit a college in Seattle yesterday. I knew it had a Christian affiliation, which is fine, many of the colleges I have applied to are somewhat affiliated with Christianity (primarily Jesuit).

What I did not realize was that it was primarily a Christian school. Let me explain: they only hire professors and staff members who are professed Christians, a practice I'm not entirely sure is even legal (however they are a private school so maybe they can do that?).

They also make their students sign a waiver saying they will not: drink alcohol, smoke, do drugs, cheat, or commit "sexual immorality". That last bit is a direct quote from their brochure. When I questioned admissions about what exactly they meant by "sexual immorality" they said it meant no cohabitation of the genders and no sex before marriage.

Excuse me, what?

What business is it of theirs whether their ADULT students have sex?

Thoughts? What would you do in this situation? I'm thinking about withdrawing my application.

[Revolution]

If it's private, and run by the church, they have the right to do all of this. I just wouldn't go there. That's really stupid. I heard a rumor that people get killed out of BYU often because of rumors of them participating in alcohol or sex. I feel students have the right to privacy, but if they're signing over their souls, I mean, rights to these institutions, institutions not run by the state, the place has the right to kick them out.

[Incompris]

Personally, being a Christian, I have no problem with that. It's their school and they have every right to kick you out of you break their rules. If you don't like that rule, just don't apply there. You will probably be among the minority who does not agree with that rule if you were to go to that school.

I think the "will not drink" is overdone. If the student is under 21 I can see that, but over 21 it's a little much. Jesus drank and he was sinless.

[ReluctantPegasister]

Originally Posted by Incompris

Personally, being a Christian, I have no problem with that. It's their school and they have every right to kick you out of you break their rules. If you don't like that rule, just don't apply there. You will probably be among the minority who does not agree with that rule if you were to go to that school.

I think the "will not drink" is overdone. If the student is under 21 I can see that, but over 21 it's a little much. Jesus drank and he was sinless.

I would be in the minority, yes (20% non-Christians). Though, so would you, being male (33% to 66% female).

I should have been more clear, they did mean no underage drinking, though they simply said no alcohol in the brochure. I just wanted to include the list the way it was given which included simply 'alcohol'.

[Iris. ♥]

Hey there,
If it's a private school, they have the right to discriminate. I don't like that about the system, but it's the way it is. It's really a matter of belief though. If you don't like the way they run the school, withdraw your application. Unless you have a greater reason to be there, don't put yourself in a school with values that you don't agree with. It's not worth the frustration. Besides, I'm sure there are many other schools that you could get into; schools that are not quite as strict. Good luck with the college search!

[Incompris]

Originally Posted by Maeve

I would be in the minority, yes (20% non-Christians). Though, so would you, being male (33% to 66% female).

I should have been more clear, they did mean no underage drinking, though they simply said no alcohol in the brochure. I just wanted to include the list the way it was given which included simply 'alcohol'.

There are more females than males in college in general in the United States.

I know they didn't mean no underage drinking, I find that rule to be overdone. But hey, their school they can do what they wish. Just don't go there.

[Gymnophoria]

Honestly, since I know nothing about US laws and the general consensus here is that they are allowed to do that, I wouldn't bother applying or accepting any place they offer you. Having rules in a college/university is normal, you need rules for order. However, there is a difference between having rules and telling people how to live their lives. If it were "no drinking, smoking or drugs on campus" then that's fine, but if they're saying even in your free time/outside of college premises you can't do this, that's a bit too controlling.

[Marguerite]

If this was a high school I'd see a problem with that considering most students don't get to choose where they go to high school (well I did but many don't).

However this is a university and the people who go their specifically choose to, probably not for lack of options. So I don't really see the problem- if you don't want to adhere to those rules, and I certainly wouldn't, put it from your mind and apply somewhere else.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

I go to a school like that in Georgia and yes it IS legal for them to only hire Christians as a private Christian school and yes they DO know people break the rules there have been cigarette butts and beer cans found on campus and even some weed. However, until they can prove whose it is they can do NOTHING about it.

[Dream]

That sounds like one of those schools that super-religious socially conservative parents have their home schooled kids go to. At most schools, sleeping over with other people or having them sleep over is typical (that is, "sexual immorality" is typical).

And yes, because they are private, they can do what they want.