Langley – In what appears to be an olive branch, to resurrect the chance of Trinity Western University’s Law School receiving accreditation in BC and across the country, the University has dropped is community covenant.
The controversial agreement that the university wanted to have its’ student sign, was not deemed acceptable by Law Societies, citing that it was discrimination and flies in the face of what is supposed to be a legal system with no impediments for lawyers or clients in access to the law.
In part, the covenant covenant enforces that students would abstain from sex outside of heterosexual marriage.
In their media release, Robert Kunk, President of TWU stated that this will not change the Christian focus of the University:
On Thursday, August 9, Trinity Western University’s Board of Governors met to review, among other things, our admissions policy as it relates to the Community Covenant, which has been the subject of much discussion in recent years.
In a decision that we believe will successfully position us to better fulfil the TWU Mission, the Board of Governors has passed the following motion:
“In furtherance of our desire to maintain TWU as a thriving community of Christian believers that is inclusive of all students wishing to learn from a Christian viewpoint and underlying philosophy, the Community Covenant will no longer be mandatory as of the 2018-19 Academic year with respect to admission of students to, or continuation of students at, the University.”
Further to this resolution, the University will actively work to determine ways in which our Christian identity, Mission and ministry can continue to be strengthened, communicated and better lived-out in the context of the TWU community – while simultaneously welcoming and affirming the unique value of each member of our diverse student body.
Let there be no confusion regarding the Board of Governors’ resolution; our Mission remains the same. We will remain a Biblically-based, mission-focused, academically excellent University, fully committed to our foundational evangelical Christian principles. We will continue to be a Christ-centred community; one that is defined by our shared pursuit of seeking to glorify God by revealing His truth, compassion, reconciliation and hope to a world in need.
Robert G. Kuhn,
President
Trinity Western University
