For Immediate Release

Contact: Larry Becker, executive director of university relations

(951) 785-2460; E-mail lbecker@lasierra.edu

La Sierra University Board of Trustees Affirms

University’s Support for Church’s Creation Doctrine

The La Sierra University Board of Trustees has reaffirmed the school’s

foundational commitments as a Seventh-day Adventist institution of
higher education with particular focus on the Church’s official doctrine
of creation.
The board’s first action supported the university’s responsibilities to
the Church through:

• Committing to a spirit of open inquiry and discussion in the

university’s classrooms and laboratories.
• Inspiring, challenging, and supporting the university’s faculty in
their sacred academic work.
• Affirming that both academic responsibility and commitment to
Adventist beliefs are important parts of a vibrant university, as
articulated in Ellen White’s statement “It is the work of true
education to…train the youth to be thinkers and not mere
reflectors of other men’s thought.” (Education, p. 17).

In a second action, the board called for scientists and administrators in

Adventist higher education to work together with Church leadership in
a study group. This group would propose a college curriculum fulfilling
the General Conference Executive Committee’s call for a scientifically
rigorous affirmation of a literal, recent six-day creation. The study
group would obtain assistance from the Geoscience Research Institute
in forming model course outlines in life and earth sciences. These
could inform curricular revision throughout Adventist higher education.

Additionally, the board requested that a research project be launched

to study the spiritual development of Adventist students in higher
education throughout the North American Division, with special
attention to students in the sciences. It recommended that La Sierra
University’s John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry, home
of the ValueGenesis research project, coordinate the program in
cooperation with the North American Division Office of Education.

The actions voted at the board meetings of November 11-12, grew out
of several days of board discussions on the issue.

“These board actions are an important, positive moment for La Sierra

University,” said Randal Wisbey, university president. “Our board
members and faculty take seriously their obligation to teach our
students in a manner that develops a mature, enduring faith while
thoroughly preparing them for careers in the sciences.

“At the same time, our board members recognize this important
conversation requires thoughtful input from the entire spectrum of
Adventist higher education,” President Wisbey said.

The board identified the university’s new general biology seminar,

launched during fall quarter 2009, as an important initial addition to
the La Sierra biology curriculum. Required of all students as they begin
the university’s General Biology sequence, the seminar brings students
together with scholars from biology, religious studies, and the
Geoscience Research Institute. It provides time to explore the role and
function of science, the importance of faith, and the relevant doctrinal
positions of Seventh-day Adventists.

“The La Sierra Biology faculty have faith that God is their Creator and
Sustainer,” said James Wilson, Ph.D., department chair. “Each faculty
member understands the important responsibility to facilitate broad
education in biology in ways that embrace the Adventist perspective of
God as the Creator of all things.”

“Moving forward, the board, administration, and faculty are committed

to serving our students as they study the important issues of faith and
science,” said Ricardo Graham, chair of the La Sierra University Board
of Trustees. “As board members, we are appreciative of the wide range
of comments on the issue shared by thoughtful church members, and
for the many prayers offered during our discussions.”

The complete text of the board’s two actions can be found on the
university’s website at www.lasierra.edu/board.