Controversy and Hypocrisy at Lipscomb

[SGA gone wild]

I started this topic to discuss the injustice that takes place at Lipscomb. The hypocrisy has always been present but it has been take to new levels now. Just to give you a taste of what I am talking about I will give a couple of examples from when I was a student at Lipscomb before I tell you about the current and, in my opinion, the most disgusting, unchristian event that I have ever been made aware of at Lipscomb.
The first concerns the baseball team that was photographed drinking at a Nashville Sounds game. The picture made two of the newspapers in Nashville with headlines that made remarks about the good Christian university and it's athletes. The consequence for the action was nothing. Why? Because they were athletes.
After I graduated from Lipscomb, I was employed by them. During my employment a girl became pregnant by her boyfriend. The boyfriend admitted he was the father. The decision was to "ask" the girl to leave campus but what happen the the daddy? Nothing. After all, there was no evidence that he had had sex. So he could stay. These may seem typical to you or they may disgust you as they do me.
The current situation concerns the SGA. This is, by the way, information I have been told is not suppose to get out to the general population of campus. A certain student recently gathered pictures off the internet (myspace) of SGA members drinking, in bed together (in some cases two guys and a girl), at parties and generally doing unchristian activities. The student then turned the pictures into the Campus Life Office (my office of employment). The response was amazing. The powers at be (Scott McDowell) said "well, the pictures only show them holding beer or alcohol, it does not mean they were drinking." No kidding!! That is how they responded. Once they had some time to think about it (certain people told them how stupid the first response was) they decided to hide the information from people. It was thought that they could not remove the SGA members from office because then the student body might find out about what happened. It might raise too many questions if they held reelections. So what did they decide to do. NOTHING!!! If you can believe it, the story gets worse. One of the female SGA members (who was pictured in bed with two guys) became upset at the situation. She and her friends found out who was responsible. What they did in person is unknown but the person responsible did send the SGA members an email stating that he would defend himself. To me this suggests that threats were made against him. His statement in no way suggests he would hurt someone else physically for no reason. The SGA members printed off this email and stated that the person had threatened them and that they no longer felt safe. Now Lipscomb had the perfect way to dispose of the situation. The student who was responsible for sending the pictures would be expelled for threats against other students. Currently, it is unknown whether this decision will be carried out but that is what is being considered.
I urge you to do something, as students of Lipscomb. This is an injustice. This is not the Christian way of doing things. This is not the message we should be sending. Call for the resignation of someone or hold protests. Do something, stand up for what is right. If this is as upsetting to you as it is to me, please do something ,or this way of doing things will continue at Lipscomb University.
The Bible says that a man cannot serve two masters. I have even heard a number of UB and Chapel speeches about this very topic. Lipscomb is caught in this problem. Lipscomb needs to decide if it wants to be a Christian organization, a business, or a school. It CANNOT be all of them as evident above. If they want to be a business or a school then fine, but drop the Christian image because that is all it is, an image. They should be a light in the world. They should stand up and stand out no matter what people think or what the consequences because they are Christians. Instead they are afraid of losing money. Like in the situation with the SGA, one of the students is the middle child of 5, 6, or 7 kids. That one student has already had two siblings graduate at Lipscomb and the rest behind him enrolled at the various other Lipscomb schools. So they can't do anything to that student because they would risk losing too much money. Instead they do nothing. when they should set a Christian example. The example they set now is that if you have money, are an athlete, or in a public position that the rules don't apply to you. They should do what a Christian should do and they will be blessed for it. If not then they should drop the act because they are giving the rest of us, as Christians, a bad name.

[2005 Grad]

Lipscomb is, indeed, a whitewashed tomb. I agree with the call for Lipscomb to reassess their priorities because the ones they're focusing on now (and have been for decades) clash. It is not a stretch to say that being a member of an organization like the SGA or a "Social Club" (let's be honest--fraternities and sororities by any other name are still fraternities and sororities) gives you a "Get out of Jail Free" card as far as Dean McDowell is concerned. The same goes for athletes. Apparently, the ability to handle a ball is an adequate substitute for following the rules.
That being said, I do not believe being a member of such organizations makes one inherently evil. I had friends who dabbled in such social scenes and left with their souls intact. However, the "goodies" that come with the status provided by these scenes must not be ignored. It sickens me to know that, in my final semester, I almost got the boot from Lipscomb for my temporary inability to pay my tuition while little boys and girls who couldn't keep their britches zipped and their hands off the whiskey bottle were winked at--all because of a jersey or a title.
I would like to be the first to call for Scott McDowell's resignation.

[Concerned]

Is it so boring after you graduate that all you have to do is complain about current students. Move on with your lives and let us be.

[Rachel]

I am not sure where this comment stems....I definitely have moved away from my life at Lipscomb. I am glad to find the New LU just so that I can reconnect. I hope that more Alumni as well as current students will become more loving and understanding that every individual is moving at a different rate and is at a different place along the path of Christianity. I pray that we all can be more encouraging and edifying towards one another. It is more peaceful living a life less critical of others. Once upon many years ago, I lived a more critical life and all I felt was loneliness and anxiety. So, pass on a spirit of love for Love is of God!

[Senor Fransisco]

I for one stand united for many of you who call for Dean McDowell. Last night I drove by his house with some of my friends and saw he was having a kegger with all the social clubs. I think it was a bottomless party too becasue no one was wearing pants. He was yelling and pouring cheap champagne on everyone and it was so upsetting because I wasn't invited to come play in the champagne rain so I decided to crash the party. I called Randy Lowry and we went to go break it up. When we got there I saw Lee Camp smoking a pound of weed with a bunch of naked cheerleaders and Dean Wilson was snorting cocaine off of a stripper's buttocks. Lowry quickly pulled out his meth pot and his unedited Ludacris album and started to jam. I was so hurt that everything is changing. I'm thinking about killing myself now because I am the only one who cares about Lipscomb and it's purity. I think that anyone who goes to Lipscomb and sins or has any fun should be lynched and more specifically tared, feather, and burned at the stake after we castrate the males and give the women masectomies. I for one will say I am perfect and cannot be called out for any wrong doing, but those of you in social clubs and the ever immoral SGA should be punished for all you have done and will do. I think that Social clubs should be banned or have all their toes and fingers cut off because then they can't hold those virgin whiskey bottles they sip on or be able to run in their meager intramurals. Lipscomb needs to kick out everyone who's been mean and done wrong. We should have sports teams because all they do is cause ruckus and make us nationally known and that's the last thing we want is imperfect people to come to our campus. So I agree with all of you. You need to kick out all the administration.

Many of you probably read this and think what this person just posted must be ridiculous. And it is just like this whole post. People at school are not perfect and you shouldn't get mad at people for having fun. They aren't hurting anyone. If they want to have a kid that's their decision and not ours. Let them suffer the consequences of their actions. We call ourselves christians yet we are the first to judge when we should be the last to do, and first to forgive. So for all of you that are bitter just live and let go. Trying to stir up drama is not going to turn out good for anyone. If you had a sucky college experience then I'm sorry. You had your chance to enjoy it, so now let all the current students enjoy their experience without alums or any current students hasseling them. We will all make mistakes so let us learn from them on our own. So let it go everyone. We are all human and will make our own decisions for ourselves so live and let it be. For all of you who read this all I'm impressed, and now go do something else then look on this website and thread because it is pointless and will only cause needless drama.

[SGA Gone Wild]

I thought I would respond to the people who took the time to post their thoughts about my thread. Once again most of you MISSED THE POINT ENTIRELY!!!!! In response to Senor Fransisco, I don't care if people have fun, if drinking is actually fun. Go for it!! Have all the "fun" you can handle!! If you want to look up the top 10 party schools in the country and apply to all 10, the whole time hoping you get into the top party school then great, I don't care. Don't come to a "Christian" school and do that. First, they have rules against drinking. As a person and as a Christian you should respect those rules. I don't think it is my job to monitor these people but there are people whose job it is to monitor the students and THEY ARE NOT doing there job. (just another point you missed). You state that the individuals should learn from their mistakes. I agree to an extent however the problem is that Dean McDowell is choosing who gets to learn from their mistakes and who doesn't. By choosing which rules he enforces and which group of people have to follow the rules he is taking this so called right away from you and the other students. What is the point of having the rules or, even better, what is the point of having someone whose job it is to enforce the rules. This is the reason I called out Dean McDowell. HE IS NOT DOING HIS JOB!!!! If he is not going to do his job, you might save a little money on tuition, when the school eliminates the position.
I will challenge your favorite phrase "we are all human, we all make mistakes." You're absolutly right. Try using that excuse with God. Gee God, yeah I fornicated and broke the rules you set in place for me, but hey, you made me. I am only human. I don't think that is a good argument. If you call yourself a Christian you must hold yourself to a higher standard than everyone else. Why? Because if you call yourself a Christian, everyone else holds you up to a higher standard. (there are of course other reasons.) If you don't want to call yourself a Christian or even attempt to be a Christian there are many other colleges in the city, and most of them cost far less.
Lipscomb wants to have these rules for the Churches and the Church going families all over the country so they can say "see we hold these kids to a higher standard. We are not like other colleges. Give us your money." In case you were not paying attention again THIS IS YET ANOTHER POINT YOU MISSED!! Lipscomb is and has created a giant smoke screen. They pretend to be Christian!
In response to your "we should be the last to judge, and first to forgive" statement. You have taken that out of context. Even you state that people should learn from there mistakes and learn from the consequences. This is not about forgivness or judgement. As stated above they are getting any consequences!!!! You can forgive someone without judging them. You can even punish someone without the need for forgiveness. Forgiveness is between you and God. The verse that you misquoted refers to judging someones spiritual state. I am not saying they are going to hell for drinking and having sex. I am simply stating there should be consequences and they should not be exempt from those consequences because of a title or a jersey (ANOTHER POINT YOU MISSED). Try reading the Bible in context instead of regurgitating tired verses you have heard in Sunday School. That is one of the main problems with Christianity. People know the highlights and nothing more, but that is a topic for later.
As for the poster Concerned. I actually have more invested in Lipscomb than it appears you do. As alumni, my name will forever be linked to Lipscomb so it does concern me about the state of the school. As a Christian it is my responsibility to hold other Christians and Christian Organizations accountable. That was one of the purposes of the first Church. Christians are suppose to hold each other accountable.

[senorfrancis]

SGA, I'm concerned by your tone because it's obvious that you are saying one thing while doing something different. You asked other posters to read the Bible in context, I ask for you to do the same.

The Bible is rather clear on what should be done in the event that somebody sins. Coming from Matthew 18:
15 “If another believer[d] sins, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

Now, you mentioned context. I refer you to the previous passage, the one where Jesus talks about the shepherd who left 99 sheep who were in perfectly good condition just to find one he believed to be in trouble. Sounds like we're pretty well in context to me, as I don't think anyone, including the good Senor, is arguing that what these people allegedly did was right.

Now, based on the above verse, the student in question, had he really been following Christ's example, should have sought them out and done his best to talk to them personally about it. I doubt that happened. If that didn't work, he should have proceeded as Jesus commanded.

The fact of the matter is if you spent a few hours on Facebook you could probably find pictures of most of the student body doing things which appear questionable. Why didn't he pick out all of these as well? I happen to know several of the students he selected to turn-in personally, and I know the common denominator between most of them that explains it. But that's not really the issue, as he hasn't shown up to defend his actions and I won't start what would no doubt appear to be an attack against somebody who is not even around to comment.

The bottom line is this: Lipscomb University is not the church. If you are looking for Lipscomb to be a regulator of morality, then you're going to be disappointed. It is an educational institution which seeks to combine a liberal arts education with the gospel. Notice I said gospel, as in "good news." Ever wonder what's so good about it? Simple: It's free and open to all, and people's past is irrelevant. Would you rather attend an institution that gave people the boot every time they screwed up, or one that believed that God was at work and kept sinners around hoping that they could plant seeds and water them, and that God would provide an increase in his time?

Jesus showed us what he expected. He ate next to the tax collectors (cheaters and swindlers and liars) and the sinners (prostitutes, etc.) and spent time working with the "teachers of the law" (whom he called white-washed tombs), all in the hope that just one of them would see a difference, and that they would repent. Who are we to do any different?

You scream for justice, but remember, all you've ever asked God for was forgiveness.

Until The Kingdom comes, I am,
Francis

[2005 Grad]

Senor, you are absolutely correct in stating that Lipscomb is not a regulator of morality. This is one of several reasons why the double standard that exists there today causes many of us such a problem. The powers that be have chosen to regulate the morality of most while turning a blind eye to the actions of a favored few. While I do not subscribe to the widespread notion that college should be a time of rampant experimentation, I do believe in an adult's right to learn from their mistakes. We are talking about adults here, right?

That being said, Lipscomb, for better or worse, has rules that are expected to be followed once you enter as a student or employee. Normally I wouldn't care whether or not the rules were being enforced. It's only because of the gross discrepancy being those who are expected to follow the rules and those who aren't that I am taking the time out of my day to respond to it.

You were also correct in stating that Lipscomb is not a church. The person who started this thread made a point to say that they ought to drop the shiny church-affiliated image if they don't want to bother upholding the values of the church they represent. I tend to agree with this. I wouldn't hold it against Lipscomb for a second if they decided to part ways with the Churches of Christ. As you said in your response, they are an institution of learning, not an upholder of morality.

[SGA Gone Wild]

Senor Francis, I too have noticed that your tone has changed quite a bit from your first post.

You claim that it is "obvious" that I am saying one thing and doing something else. You are are vague as to what it is that I am saying and doing. If you are going to make claims like that then go ahead and call me out for it. I can take it.

If it is regarding scripture, then I am glad that you have ventured into the Bible and read it in context, however once again you have missed the point! Let me try to explain (yet again). The issue at hand is not whether the student in question acted as a Christian should have acted. I will grant you that it was not the proper course of action and commend you for correctly using the scripture. That being said the whole point of this thread is that nothing is being done about the students who broke the rules!

You state that if you spent a few hours on facebook, then you could get evidence on a lot of students. That is probably correct unfortunately. There are a few things you need to consider. Those students, by running for SGA, put themselves in a position of authority. Their name is known because of that. Maybe they picked on the kid and this was an act of vengence on his part, I don't know. But whether they wanted those roles for popularity or to pad a resume in the future, I will not assume, but that is just the chance you take. They should be setting an example. Even you will have to admit, posting those pictures was just plain STUPID. I don't think that the student in question has anything to defend. You state that he has not shown up to defend his actions. Should he have to when the other students have not defended their actions??

In response to your bottom line. You are correct Lipscomb is not a Church. The fact is that I don't expect them to uphold morality. I do expect Lipscomb to uphold the rules they have set in place. I also expect Lipscomb to treat everyone fairly when upholding those rules. That is the whole point. In response to your statement "people's past is irrelevant." This is a weak argument. First, we are not talking about something they did three years ago. Secondly and to use an extreme example, that is like punching someone in the face then quickly saying "I'm sorry, and not that is in the past so you can't get upset about it."

My bottom line is this: You have failed to come up with excuses for the students behavior. You have talked in circles about lots of different things. You have ignored the point twice now. The point being that the students are not being treated fairly. The reason, I believe, you have danced around this point is simple. There is not excuse for their actions or the lack of action by Lipscomb.

I am not asking for the students to be expelled. I am asking for them to be treated fairly, as though they were any other student. Because now they are getting special treatment because they are SGA members!!

Just because you ask for forgivness does not mean you should escape justice!

Until the injustice at hand is responded to:

I am SGA Gone Wild

[SGA Gone Wild]

I rest my case