Embattled Baylor U. Head Quits, Confident His Vision Will Persist
by Jim Brown
January 27, 2005
(AgapePress) - Although he presided over a national scandal in the university's basketball program and has been under fire for promoting a biblical approach to education, the outgoing president of Baylor University is expressing optimism about the school's future.On Friday, Dr. Robert Sloan stepped down as president of the Texas university after facing repeated calls for his ouster. Sloan has been at odds with liberal faculty members who oppose his desire to return the university to its Christian roots. But the former head of the school says, despite the controversy surrounding his term as president, his ambitious growth program known as "Baylor 2012" will continue.
According to a recent Dallas Morning News story, the university official's difficulties began when he announced the ten-year strategic plan for the school's advancement, which included "reaffirming and deepening Baylor's Christian mission." Although Baylor 2012 was unanimously approved by the school's Board of Regents, some faculty members opposed the plan, feeling its religious emphasis could threaten the university's academic reputation.
But Sloan insists that his plan for the Baptist-affiliated school will only improve its reputation by enhancing what it has to offer students. He says Baylor 2012 is the university's way of saying "Look -- we're a place of solid, Christian commitment. We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, and furthermore, we believe that Christians ought to be involved in cutting-edge knowledge, research, and teaching."
Also, the administrator says the growth plan expresses commitment to the idea that "young people ought to be able to come to a school like this and not only have undergraduate programs but masters and PhD programs and a law school and have the fun seeing a university that plays Division-1 athletics. I mean, we're in the Big 12."
Schools like Baylor are vital, Sloan says, because a spiritual war is being waged for the hearts, souls, and minds of America's young people. He sees the changes that Baylor 2012 will implement as equally vital and does not regret generating controversy to promote the school's development. At a recent press conference, the outgoing head of Baylor acknowledged that "the natural side effect of change is conflict" and the university "is not immune to the discomfort and insecurity generated by change."
In fact, the administrator describes himself as "a lighting rod for that discomfort" and notes that living out one's Christian faith in the world often engenders attacks. "Remember, our Lord said in the Gospel of John that the world has hated Him, therefore it will hate His followers, and in First Peter, [the apostle] says, 'Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you as if some strange thing were happening to you.' I think Christian faith that seeks to express itself legitimately and authentically will in fact experience opposition in a secular world."
In spite of the controversy that has swirled around his plan and his presidency, Sloan remains confident that his vision for Baylor University will survive his departure from the president's chair. He will officially step down from this post in May and, on June 1, will assume the vacant chancellor's position.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
