Baylor seeks ‘grace and truth’ approach to LGBTQ students

WACO—Baylor University’s board of regents adopted a resolution that could open the door to allow a new chartered group that would offer care and support for LGBTQ students. At the same time, it reaffirms Baylor’s statement on human sexuality that supports “purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm.”

“The university remains committed to extending Christ-like love and grace in caring for all our students and meeting them where they are, just as Jesus did, and adhering to traditional biblical teaching of Scripture regarding human sexuality,” the resolution states.

At a teleconference for the news media following the May 14 board of regents meeting, Chair Mark Rountree characterized the adoption of the guiding principles as an opportunity “to lean more fully into the grace and truth aspects of our commitment as a Christian university.”

On the “grace” side of the equation, the board charged the administration to “look for ways to better care for, include and give a sense of belonging to our LGBT students,” Rountree said. On the “truth” side, regents reaffirmed the “traditional biblical view of human sexuality,” he noted.

Any chartered student group would be operated “consistent with our core Christian commitments and convictions around human sexuality, as well as other university policies,” he added.

‘Important … but difficult conversation’

President Linda Livingstone emphasized the resolution grew out of “an ongoing conversation” about human sexuality, which she called “a really important conversation but a difficult conversation within the Christian community.”

She expressed hope Baylor can “balance some of these tensions that we live with around the biblical beliefs of our institution and of the Christian faith, and the care and support of our students.”

Rountree added the conversations among regents that led to the resolution’s adoption were “deeply respectful” and “honored each person’s view and perspective.”

“We demonstrated—not just with this issue but certainly most recently with this one—that we as a board do not have to have a unanimity of perspective to have a unity of spirit,” he said.

‘Start with a clean slate’

Last October, the Baylor Student Senate passed a resolution by a 30-15 vote urging the university to reinterpret its statement on human sexuality and add a nondiscrimination clause to its policies for student organizations.

Three months ago, the Baylor Faculty Senate approved a resolution supporting a charter for the unofficial LGBTQ student group, Gamma Alpha Upsilon.

Rather than commit to recognizing the unofficial group, Livingstone expressed the desire to “start with a clean slate.” She voiced hope a new student organization can be developed that meets students’ needs in a way consistent with the guiding principles affirmed by the regents.

“I think it will be a collaborative process and one built on respect and care for one another,” she said.

Change to human sexuality statement ‘never a consideration’

Baylor’s statement on human sexuality includes the expectation “that Baylor students will not participate in advocacy groups, which promote understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching.”

Any chartered student organization will be to provide “care, support and a sense of community” to the “growing population” of LGBTQ students, not be an advocacy group for a lifestyle or position on human sexuality, said Jason Cook, vice president for marketing and communication at Baylor.

“Opening up the statement on human sexuality was never a consideration,” Cook said.

The board-approved resolution emphasizes Baylor’s commitment to Christian principles and to “providing a loving and caring community for all students,” including those who identify as LGBTQ.

“As a board of regents, we recognize that Baylor’s LGBTQ students continue to seek care, connections and community on our campus and a sense of belonging within the Baylor Family. As an important and faithful expression of our Christian mission, we desire to establish trust with our LGBTQ students so that, among other things, they might seek out the resources provided by Baylor,” the resolution states.

The resolution reaffirms three core commitments:

• “The dignity and worth of all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, as we strive to fulfill our Christian commitment of a caring community.”
• “The biblical understanding that sexual relations of any kind outside of marriage between a man and a woman are not in keeping with the teaching of Scripture, as summarized in the university’s statement on human sexuality.”
• “Our commitment to providing a welcoming, supportive educational environment based on civility and respect for all.”

The resolution charges the university administration to “determine the appropriate pathways to provide additional care, connections and community for Baylor’s LGBTQ students, including the possibility of establishing a new, chartered student group that is consistent with Baylor’s core commitments … and the university’s policies and statements.”