The Erskine board meeting on May 28, 29, and 30 began with drama. With the failure of the Presidential Search Committee (PSC) and SIMA (the recruiting firm hired to help in the search), handwringing and recriminations were as thick as spring grass under a lawnmower. Notwithstanding a correspondence from the former candidate stating he withdrew his name from consideration because his view on baptism was incompatible with the ecclesiology of the ARP Church, the entire PSC resigned, and at least one member of the PSC wrote a bitter letter making unsubstantiated complaints that the search was sabotaged and derogatory remarks were made about the competency of the members of the PSC. E-mails were sent questioning the process and the leadership. Private correspondences were leaked. The Committee on Trustees (that is, the board’s disciplinary committee) waded into the ruckus. Four trustees, including former Chairman David Conner, met with the committee. Sharp exchanges occurred regarding freedom to express one’s dissenting opinion. Some argued for a form of political correctness and castigated those who forcefully disagreed. Some called for resignations. The phrase “derogatory remarks” was used by some like a weapon in an attempt to silence criticism and dissent. It was a day of entrenchment in the ways of “ol’ Erskine” and breaking down walls and new beginnings. It was a day of disagreement and finding accord. It was a day of conflict and peace. It was like a woman in labor-pains and giving birth to new life. As for new Chairman Bill Cain, he began the day embattled and ended the day respected and praised, for he acquitted himself nobly in the face of difficult and unexpected circumstances. Indeed, it was a time of theater. It was a time of pulling apart and bringing together. It was a time in which little was done and much was accomplished. The door is finally open for a new chapter in the history of Erskine.
Below are some of the highlights of the meeting.
It has not been a good year for Erskine!
As a CHRISTIAN college, this has not been a good year for Erskine College. It was learned a coach recruited a student-athlete knowing he was gay. Two athletes “outed” themselves as gay. A male student committed suicide. Two senior women announced their engagement to each other just before graduation. A male student-athlete allegedly broke into Belk Hall, stole computers and other items, and was apprehended and arrested. The discount rate for this year’s class (2013-14) rose to more than 70 percent. The deficit for both the college and seminary is at least 1.8 million dollars. SACS will probably place Erskine on “probation” this December. And there are many other woes waiting to be opened.
As a CHRISTIAN seminary, this has not been a good year for Erskine Theological Seminary. As a board member remarked to me, the folks at the seminary are lost in the fog of vague, they do not seem to have a constituency, and they are unable to define their product. The seminary is ending the year with a massive deficit. The issue regarding non-Christians in the DMin program is still unresolved and awaiting a decision at the August meeting of the board. However, when one looks at the schedule of classes for next year, it is satisfying to see that neo-Barthian professor Richard Burnett is not scheduled to teach. A tip of the hat is due to Dean Jim Meek.
Auditors warn of impending financial collapse!
AGAIN, the auditors warned the discount rate is out of control. AGAIN, the auditors warned the draw on the endowment MUST be reduced to 5 percent. In February, the board ignored the auditors. In spite of the foot-dragging and excuse-making of Erskine CFO Greg Haselden, the groundwork has now been set for the board to hear and heed the auditors’ recommendation next year. “Financial exigency” (restart) is discussed openly and seriously as an option. Though I understand the rationale for borrowing $500,000 from a bank to satisfy part of this year’s deficit, I do not like it. Those charged with fiscal responsibility have not demonstrated such. And, though the auditors warn of an escalating discount rate, the discount rate of the new class (2014-15) will be higher than last year’s discount rate, which was over 70 percent. The responsibility for this lies clearly at the door of Acting President Brad Christie, CFO Greg Haselden, and the other members of the Cabinet.
Chairman David Conner RESIGNED suddenly.
Thursday, after meetings with the Committee on Trustees and others on the board, Chairman David Conner left Due West, drove home, sat down and wrote an e-mail stating he was resigning from both chairmanship and the board, that his resignations were effective immediately, that he would not return to Due West for the Friday meeting, and sent the e-mail out at about 11:00 PM.
To his credit, Conner responded honorably. He realized the General Synod was serious and unbending about Erskine being an “agency” of the ARP Church. He realized the numbers on the board were against his agenda. Therefore, he bowed out quickly and chose not to be an obstructionist. He made it possible for the Friday meeting to be productive. He is worthy of a tip of the hat!!
This left new Chairman Bill Cain in a predicament. He had not expected to chair this meeting of the board. From all reports, Mr. Cain stepped in and was up to the task. He conducted himself with dignity and understanding. As the new Chairman of the board, Cain exhibited transparency, genuineness, integrity, evenhandedness, and wisdom. In a word, as many noted, he demonstrated statesmanship, and it has been a long time since we have seen statesmanship in the Chairman of the Erskine board. Indeed, a very big tip of the hat is due to new Chairman Cain.
Expect leadership changes this summer!
The conflict between the board and the administration (Acting President Brad Christie and his Cabinet) is now clearly obvious and acrimonious. The members of the administration BLAME the board and the ARP Church for Erskine’s troubles. For example, an administrator charged that trustees would not help with fundraising. The administrator was left red-faced when it was pointed out he had ignored offers and, at least once, he ignored a fundraising opportunity.
New search committees to be announced!
Chairman Cain is now tasked with appointing a search committee to find an Interim President and a new President, or, perhaps, this could be two committees. Also, expect to see him appoint a new Acting President who can accomplish the directives of the board. Indeed, at this point, Chairman Cain needs the wisdom of a Solomon, for he has difficult decisions to make – and the secular alums are going to hate him for doing the right thing!
Final thoughts: at long last, I think this chapter of the battle for Erskine is closed. As someone at Erskine reminded me, it will take twenty years to change the course now set. The next chapter is the building chapter. It is articulating, implementing, and sustaining a godly vision. That is, (1) casting a vision that is faithful to the God of the Bible, (2) finding the godly personnel who are academically capable and Biblically courageous enough to implement the vision to the glory of God, and (3) sustaining the vision in the face of a neo-pagan culture so as to see the lives of multiple generations of students transformed by the gospel and sent forth from Erskine to advance Christ’s church and kingdom. And may God be pleased to do this!!
Indeed, it was a time in which little was done and much was accomplished.
These are my thoughts,
Charles W. Wilson
