A College in Crisis

[Gregory Matthews]

Pacific Union College is in crisis.  It is in crisis financially.  It is in crisis in other ways.  It is a crisis that has been building for 7.5 years and will not be easy to be fixed.  There are academic issues that involve more than one department. 

I do not want, in this thread to name names.  I do not intend to point fingers.  I do not want people to come here and post half-true statements as to  what has happened.  None of this will contribute in a positive manner to resolving the issues that PUC faces. 

I am simply saying:  This is a time  for those who want a positive resolution of the issues that PUC faces to be supportive, even financially, and to pray that denominational leadership will have the wisdom and courage to lead PUC to a return to what it should be.

Please remember:  What you read on the Internet, even if partially true, will likely be incomplete and not tell the whole story.

 

[Green Cochoa]

When one of the Lord's institutions falls into decay, the more prosperous institutions should work to the utmost of their ability in assisting the crippled institution, that the name of God be not dishonored. Whenever the managers of God's institutions close their hearts to the necessities of sister institutions, and neglect to make every effort possible for their relief, selfishly saying, "Let them suffer," God marks their cruelty, and the time will come when they will have to pass through a similar experience of humiliation. But, my brethren, you do not mean to do this. I know that you do not.  {6T 459.2} 

[Green Cochoa]

... Shall we allow these institutions to be wrested from our hands and their beneficent work to be stopped? Because our brethren have made mistakes, shall we leave them alone to bear the consequences of their miscalculations? Is this the way in which Christ has dealt with us?  {6T 463.2}  
     When one burdened with a heavy load is at the foot of a difficult hill, surrounded with discouragements, and in need of strong, cheerful helpers, much time is often wasted in criticism, scolding, and fretting. But this does not move the load. The ones upon whom the pressure rests most heavily do not need or deserve the censure. This might more appropriately fall upon those who should have shared the burden earlier. But even then censure might be inappropriate, and it would certainly be useless. Our first thought should be, How can we help to lift the load? Time is precious. There is too much at stake to run the risk of delay.  {6T 463.3} 

[Gregory Matthews]

Green:  Thank you for the nature of your post.  It was positive, as I have hoped the posts here would be.

 

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

the OP is one of those "cryptic" types of posts that kinda irritate me...  Unless you're "in the know" about PUC, one has absolutely no clue as to the financial issue or other issues that are being referenced.  That makes it very difficult to make any sort of competent response (other than generic platitudes, or quotes from EGW).

[Jeannieb43]

I agree, Pam, that's why I always read everything online which is available to me without a password.   Such as Adventist Today [atoday.org] and Spectrummagazine.org.

 

It seems as though the new president has attempted to micromanage some of the departments herself.   Too bad.

[Gregory Matthews]

My source of information included material that is not public st this time.  I consider Internet comments on the situation to be less than the full story. I believe PUC needs to be supported without a lot of public discussion.

[CoAspen]

GM is asking for support, how? Through prayer "...... pray that denominational leadership will have the wisdom....". Can we not support fellow christians/persons through prayer with out knowing all the detail?

[Gregory Matthews]

The information that is public is incomplete.  I do not think that it is helpful to publish such in this forum.  I understand that some will not be able to do what I asked.  So be it.  I understand.

The bottom line is this:  This situation, in my thinking can not be discussed in depth, without pointing fingers and blame at people.  Some will take one side and point at one person, or group of people.  Others will take another side and point fingers at another person or group of people.  I have a personal position.  But, I do not think that this public finger pointing and assessment of blame will be helpful

Rather, I think and hope that people on both sides of this issue can unite in finding some manner in which that can agree to support PUC.  Perhaps that manner of support is uniting in prayer that God will lead PUC through all of this.  Perhaps, that unity can be in providing financial support as the college as a whole should not suffer due to the actions of a few.

I would  like to be a party that calls for that rather than contributes public blame casting and finger pointing.

As  I review, what I have learned and some from confidential sources, the full story is much more that can be obtained from any one source on the Internet, and from a combination of such sources.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I have decided to take this much of a personal position:

I have a professional background with formal training that  for nine years was involved in helping to resolve issues between opposing sides.  Generally there was never one side that was totally in the clear.  Typically I could find fault with both sides.

In this situation with PUC, if I were to divide it up into two opposing sides, I would be able to rule that people on both sides contributed to the crisis that now exists.

The situation has past the point at PUC where such a resolution could be implemented.  It has reached a point that is beyond that of no-return.  Actions have been taken that essentially can not be withdrawn.

PUC must now move forward from what is now the new reality.  The school needs the prayers of interested people and in addition any support that people can give.  It is in  crisis.

 

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

If prayers for PUC was what the OP was all about, wouldn't it have been better to place the topic in the Prayer Request forum? (just asking...)

 

7 hours ago, Jeannieb43 said:

I agree, Pam, that's why I always read everything online which is available to me without a password.   Such as Adventist Today [atoday.org] and Spectrummagazine.org.

 

It seems as though the new president has attempted to micromanage some of the departments herself.   Too bad.

 

Jeannie, thanks for pointing me to Spectrum's website.  I don't usually read it.  I won't post the url for the story, as Gregory would have done that himself, if he had wanted it here.

So..... yes, it appears that the latest PUC president's management style didn't go well, and she is resigning in the middle of the school year. Sad that good intentions go awry.

But also, as Gregory mentioned, there's two sides to every issue (and often, more than two).

My sense is that things will work out.