Those Naughty Baylor School Kids

The Student Publications Board has determined the editorial published in the Lariat on Friday ("San Francisco should pursue gay marriage suit") violates university policy as defined in the Student Handbook, as well as student publications policy. The Student Publications Policy states that "since Baylor University was established and is still supported by Texas Baptists to conduct a program of higher education in a Christian context, no editorial stance of Student Publications should attack the basic tenets of Christian theology or of Christian morality."

We have already heard from a number of students, alumni and parents who are, as am I, justifiably outraged over this editorial. Espousing in a Baylor publication a view that is so out of touch with traditional Christian teachings is not only unwelcome, it comes dangerously close to violating University policy, as published in the Student Handbook, prohibiting the advocacy of any understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching. The Student Publications Board met with Lariat staff yesterday to discuss this matter. -- President Robert B. Sloan Jr.

Student Letters - Pro and Con

More Letters - I am sorry to see Baylor continues to challenge the right of students to hold and peaceably express beliefs which differ from those of their peers or the administration.

Baylor has suffered profound loss of reputation in the last year amidst the death of Patrick Dennehy, threatened loss of accreditation and numerous violations of NCAA athletic standards. Publicly scolding students for an editorial when more weighty matters warrant attention does little to re-establish the university's good standing in the eyes of its critics.

I know you'll probably receive a flood of "hate mail" and quite a bit of backlash for taking the stance you did. But, as an alumnus of Baylor University, and as a gay man, I want to say thank you.

Ft. Worth Star-Telegram - Baylor president 'outraged' over pro-gay student editorial

Richard George, the staff member who is the Lariat news director, said Monday that he made a judgment error and that the editorial should not have been published.

"It is my responsibility to ensure the students have a strong editorial voice within the parameters of Baylor's mission," George said in a statement.

In another factual article, The Lariet reports most women students on campus deal with eating disorders, depression, and are uninformed about sexual issues.