Northland makes adjustments: "it’s clear that we need to make more changes in order to live within our means"
Northland’s April 2014 Announcement
“we will continue to focus on Biblical studies, missions, and communication/ESL”. To be eliminated: “the Discover. Develop. Deploy. program, our music department, and our education department, as well as our 5 school/outcome-based approach.”
All that about college is good Jim. NIU’s emphasis on discipleship, though, is refreshing in light of the former demerit-heavy system of en loco parentis that used to prevail there.
I wish the best for NIU, I’ve met the president personally and am excited to see what he will be able to do with everything there. I’m encouraged to see more of a blend of fundamentalism and conservative evangelicalism being furthered there. Best of both worlds and learning from each sphere.
As Joel Tetreau would say, “Straight Ahead!”
Striving for the unity of the faith, for the glory of God ~ Eph. 4:3, 13; Rom. 15:5-7 I blog at Fundamentally Reformed. Follow me on Twitter.
[Bob Hayton]NIU’s emphasis on discipleship, though, is refreshing in light of the former demerit-heavy system of en loco parentis that used to prevail there.
Amen to that! Rules, unchecked, can get so carried away that they become an encumbrance, rather than a help. Consider these two widely disparate examples of Christian college “dress codes”:
1. Bob Jones: http://www.bju.edu/life-faith/student-handbook.pdf (see pages 32 - 37)
Six full pages of dress code stipulations!
2. Northland: “We only ask that dress be modest and appropriate for the occasion: business attire for some formal events, dress casual for class, and casual at other times.” - http://www.ni.edu/about-us/faq/
One simple, straightforward sentance!
Larry:
That statement is fine if you actually have no standard. What is modest and appropriate? If it is not spelled out in some form or fashion then you basically have left modesty and appropriateness to the discretion of the student. If this is the case why even bother with a dress statement at all?
[Kirk Mellen]Larry:
That statement is fine if you actually have no standard. What is modest and appropriate? If it is not spelled out in some form or fashion then you basically have left modesty and appropriateness to the discretion of the student. If this is the case why even bother with a dress statement at all?
One of the schools assumes that Christian students are bereft of good judgment and that micromanagement is necessary; the other assumes that Christian students can exercise good judgment, as illuminated by the Holy Spirit living within them.
[Larry Nelson]Larry,Bob Hayton wrote:
NIU’s emphasis on discipleship, though, is refreshing in light of the former demerit-heavy system of en loco parentis that used to prevail there.
Amen to that! Rules, unchecked, can get so carried away that they become an encumbrance, rather than a help. Consider these two widely disparate examples of Christian college “dress codes”:
1. Bob Jones: http://www.bju.edu/life-faith/student-handbook.pdf (see pages 32 - 37)
Six full pages of dress code stipulations!
2. Northland: “We only ask that dress be modest and appropriate for the occasion: business attire for some formal events, dress casual for class, and casual at other times.” - http://www.ni.edu/about-us/faq/
One simple, straightforward sentance!
I agree that 6 pages is excessive. However, a single sentence is insufficient. People come from all kinds of backgrounds and training. Mature Christians cannot even agree on a definition and application of modesty, how in the world do you think a college is going to apply that standard, unless, as Kirk suggests, they simply don’t apply it at all. There’s no problem with an institution having “house rules” as long as those rules are not equated with scripture.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
[Larry Nelson]Again, this is simply naive (I would say ridiculous but I don’t want to be offensive). No one anywhere assumes that telling people to wear what is appropriate adequately expresses the desires and expectations of those tasked with oversight of the standard. Restaurants post signs “no shirt, no shoes, no service” rather than simply stating “dress appropriately.” Business define normal dress and business casual for special days. Basic rules of communication require that communication has not happened until I have accurately transferred an idea from my head to yours. What is appropriate to me is not necessarily what is appropriate to you. Furthermore, what is appropriate to you and I is not necessarily what is appropriate to an 18 year old. I know my ideas on that matter have changed since I was a freshman in Bible college. You assume, erroneously, that the indwelling of the Spirit creates automatic maturity, wisdom, submission and obedience when this is clearly never the case for redeemed humanity.Kirk Mellen wrote:
Larry:
That statement is fine if you actually have no standard. What is modest and appropriate? If it is not spelled out in some form or fashion then you basically have left modesty and appropriateness to the discretion of the student. If this is the case why even bother with a dress statement at all?
One of the schools assumes that Christian students are bereft of good judgment and that micromanagement is necessary; the other assumes that Christian students can exercise good judgment, as illuminated by the Holy Spirit living within them.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
[Chip Van Emmerik]Larry Nelson wrote:
Bob Hayton wrote:
NIU’s emphasis on discipleship, though, is refreshing in light of the former demerit-heavy system of en loco parentis that used to prevail there.
Amen to that! Rules, unchecked, can get so carried away that they become an encumbrance, rather than a help. Consider these two widely disparate examples of Christian college “dress codes”:
1. Bob Jones: http://www.bju.edu/life-faith/student-handbook.pdf (see pages 32 - 37)
Six full pages of dress code stipulations!
2. Northland: “We only ask that dress be modest and appropriate for the occasion: business attire for some formal events, dress casual for class, and casual at other times.” - http://www.ni.edu/about-us/faq/
One simple, straightforward sentance!
Larry,
I agree that 6 pages is excessive. However, a single sentence is insufficient. People come from all kinds of backgrounds and training. Mature Christians cannot even agree on a definition and application of modesty, how in the world do you think a college is going to apply that standard, unless, as Kirk suggests, they simply don’t apply it at all. There’s no problem with an institution having “house rules” as long as those rules are not equated with scripture.
And yet, judging from the “modest and appropriate” appearance of the NIU student body, their minimalist standard somehow seems to suffice.
[Chip Van Emmerik]Again, this is simply naive (I would say ridiculous but I don’t want to be offensive).
Well, as long as you are not wanting to be offensive…………:)
If their minimalist standard doesn’t work on the NIU campus, where are the Goths or the Punk Rocker-wannabes? In practice, are there blatantly immodest or inappropriately attired students on the campus?
[Larry Nelson]And yet, judging from the “modest and appropriate” appearance of the NIU student body, their minimalist standard somehow seems to suffice.
If modesty only references covering skin, the -30F definitely gives NIU the advantage in minimalist verbiage. Just sayin’………..:)
Lee
[Lee]If modesty only references covering skin, the -30F definitely gives NIU the advantage in minimalist verbiage. Just sayin’………..:)
Their “goth clothing” is under their snow suits :)
Reality: The climate in Dunbar Wisconsin is basically equal to Minneapolis, MN [link]
[Seth Johnson]College can be the first chance to treat students as adults or the last chance to treat them like children.
^^^^^This^^^^^
If Draconian rules are necessary to keep students in check, then something is clearly wrong at a Christian college. Either the school is admitting students who shouldn’t be there to begin with; or something in the school’s culture itself is askew, to the point of fomenting rebellion.
Larry,
You are creating a false dichotomy. Rules don’t have to be Draconian (which technically is not a function of length anyway since even one sentence could be Draconian - i.e. “everyone has to wear a black burqa”). However, they do need to clearly communicate, something the one sentence you posted does not do.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
[Chip Van Emmerik]Larry,
However, they do need to clearly communicate, something the one sentence you posted does not do.
And yet, as I’ve pointed out, that one sentence appears to suffice @ NIU.
[Larry Nelson]How do you know? Who’s to say if it’s working or not? There’s no standard in place. Surely you’ve heard the old saying if you aim for nothing you’ll hit it every time. I’ll bet if my city took down the speed limit signs and just put up “caution-drive appropriately” signs we’d have fewer traffic tickets for speeding too. Who’s to say if we actually have less speeding in my town, or to even decide when someone actually does speed (because you know human being will inevitably push the boundaries).Chip Van Emmerik wrote:
Larry,
However, they do need to clearly communicate, something the one sentence you posted does not do.
And yet, as I’ve pointed out, that one sentence appears to suffice @ NIU.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
Discussion