NOTICE: Classes canceled today due to weather conditions. Check Blackboard for communication from your instructors.
UPDATED 9:05 p.m. February 24, 2020
Late last week, information was released publicly, necessitating SBU’s public response.
To be clear, no allegations were made by SBU.
The Board of Trustees acted with appropriate immediacy by initiating an investigation.
Today, trustee officers met with the trustee seeking additional information in order
to inform its investigation.
The Board remains committed to ensuring this situation is handled with the utmost
integrity and will provide further updates at the appropriate time.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
SBU learned on Friday evening, February 21, a newly elected trustee may have mishandled child sexual abuse allegations against one of his staff members in 2005. This case resulted in multiple criminal convictions of the staff member.
The new trustee was part of the slate of trustees the MBC unilaterally imposed upon SBU without SBU input or approval. Our pre-vetted trustee nominations were rejected and replaced with nominees we were told were vetted by the Nominating Committee of the MBC.
SBU and the Board of Trustees are taking immediate action regarding this matter. A special board meeting has been called for Monday, February 24, and we continue to work through the weekend to make sure we do the right thing. SBU has called upon the Missouri Baptist Convention leadership to take appropriate action in this matter as well.
Southwest Baptist University supports victims of abuse, and we pray for those affected by any church leader abusing his position of trust.
Dr. Eric A. Turner
SBU President
*Published: 2-22-2020
