The University administration believes that the students voiced some legitimate concerns, but also had some misgivings that are unfounded. The La Sierra University administration appreciates their sincerity and thanks them for accelerating on campus discussions of important issues. The trustees, too, listened to the students respectfully and have full confidence that the administration is aware of these concerns that they will be fairly dealt with.

As a matter of fact, all of the student’s legitimate concerns with the interdisciplinary general education core curriculum (such as transferability of credits, the nature of team teaching, the amount of identifiable religion, etc.) have already been addressed, at least to some extent, by the appropriate committees. Evaluations of the program have been conducted, student concerns have been carefully noted, and many improvements have been already been incorporated. As much as we have tried to make sure the courses reflect Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, we apparently have more to do to make sure that the new interdisciplinary curriculum is identifiably Christian and Adventist, based on Biblical principles. With the revisions in the program that have been recently voted by the faculty, the La Sierra University interdisciplinary core curriculum now contains more required religion than any other Seventh-day Adventist college or university.

Inaccurate rumors have circulated about an elective history course that was erroneously called a core course. Even then, its content was misrepresented and misunderstood. La Sierra University assures its constituents that nothing in its curriculum is anti the monotheistic God of the Bible or the fundamental beliefs of Christianity and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. La Sierra University takes seriously its Adventist mission and will allow nothing to compromise that. It also takes seriously its commitment to quality higher education–one in which the work of both teachers and students is rigorously evaluated on a regular basis.

Because it is a relatively new program, the La Sierra University general education interdisciplinary core curriculum composed of seven required courses (out of fifty), is not yet well understood and, as with every new program, needs and is receiving adjustments and improvements along the way. Evaluation suggests that La Sierra’s program is rapidly getting better as the teachers involved gain more experience and the students understand its interdisciplinary, comprehensive foundational purpose. The issue of religion in the curriculum has been brought up by students and we take this concern very seriously. Administration is meeting with students to make sure every concern is heard and addressed.

We owe our constituents quality education that is authentically Adventist and we are unequivocally committed to that. We believe the evidence, fairly considered, suggests that is the situation at La Sierra University; but we do not rest on our laurels. We are committed to doing an even better job for our region’s sons and daughters.

We welcome your questions and/or suggestions.

Lawrence T. Geraty, President

Thomas J. Mostert, Chair, Board of Trustees

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