Written by Tiane Davis // Graphic by Ben Evans
The University Board of Trustees approved a handbook policy revision called “Expectations for Sexual Morality” Nov. 2, according to an email Executive Vice President Jean-Noel Thompson sent to faculty and staff Nov. 15. The revision replaced the previous handbook policy, adding nearly a page of clarifying language.
Thompson said the previous policy said what the University wanted to say from a Biblical standpoint, but lacked a lot of clarity and opportunities to express understanding and compassion “particularly around LGBTQ issues.” He said the “Expectations for Sexual Morality” committee, which was formed about six months ago, wanted to strengthen and clarify the policy with scriptural reference and compassion.
“We wanted to make sure we can give a little perspective, understanding the complexity of the issue and focusing primarily on behavior,” Thompson said. “We’re not going to focus on why someone feels the way they feel or who they may identify with. It’s going to be on behavior.”
Thompson said the committee that worked to revise the policy included input from faculty, staff, the counseling center and the board of trustees. The policy went through several rounds of small changes in wording and changes in perspective before it was sent to the University Board of Trustees.
“One of the things we want to be clear about is, regardless of where we may have differences here and there, everyone’s going to be treated with the highest of respect and care,” Thompson said. “We’re not going to tolerate any sense of harassment toward anyone.”
Vice president of Student Life Zach Neal said the goal in revising the policy was to clarify it, not change it. He said the committee wanted to better explain “why we have what we have and why we expect what we expect.”
“I found that in the past, not only with this topic, when a student may see it a different way, they still appreciated the University being clear about what we expect,” Neal said. “I think this falls in line with that thought process, that we invite individuals to come and ask questions and to even bring challenges to what we expect and allow us the opportunity to explain where we’re coming from.”
Neal said the student handbook is reviewed every year and that his role in the Office of Student Life is to make sure the student body understands everything the administration does.
“The relationship that comes with clear communication is probably the big picture here,” Neal said. “Going back and reviewing the handbook and rewording when necessary shows that we want everyone to know ahead of time what to expect as opposed to just wondering where the University stands.”
University President Mike Williams said the previous policy had a few “missing pieces” and that the administration wanted it to reflect the Harding community’s mission.
“Clarity is kind,” Williams said. “We want people to know on the front end that this is a community value set.”
Ella Duryea, Student Government Association president, said she believes the updated wording better reflects the University’s stance of compassion when approaching “controversial” and “delicate” matters. However, she said disagreement is almost always inevitable and that not everyone will agree or disagree with the revision.
“Whether you agree or disagree with the revised policies, I think we can all concede that choosing a compassionate and kind way to express one’s beliefs will always be of utmost importance,” Duryea said.
