SPU LGBTQIA+ Timeline

This timeline records events related to SPU’s hiring policy, the “Statement on Human Sexuality,” and other LGBTQ+ issues since January 2021.

2021
SPU Sued for Discrimination

An SPU adjunct sues SPU, alleging SPU declined to consider…
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Human Sexuality Survey of Faculty & Staff

Faculty Council administers a Human Sexuality survey to faculty and…
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Survey Analysis Presented to Faculty Council & Board of Trustees

Emerita faculty provides Faculty Council and the Board with a…
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SPU’s Theology Student Union Objects to the Conduct Policy

On February 24, 2021, the Theology Student Union at SPU…
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Board of Trustees Studies Survey Results & Community Feedback

President Dan Martin reports that at the February Board meeting…
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Board of Trustees Deliberates Over Policy

SPU Board of Trustees calls a special confidential meeting to…
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SPU Mentioned in Class Action Suit against the Department of Education

A former student of SPU joins a class action suit…
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President Dan Martin Resigns

President Dan Martin resigns in his ninth year of service…
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Board of Trustees Announces Decision to Retain Policy

Board Chair Cedric Davis announces in an online employee forum…
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SPU Theology Professors Object to Board Decision

Two School of Theology professors object to the Board’s decision…
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Students, Staff & Faculty Hold Candlelight Vigil

In response to the Board's decision to maintain the employee…
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SPU Faculty Votes No Confidence in BOT

Faculty vote to issue a Statement of No Confidence in…
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Board of Trustees Replies to Faculty No Confidence Vote

The Board of Trustees replies to the Faculty Statement of…
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Faculty Senate Establishes Faculty LGBTQIA+ Task Force

Faculty Senate approves a motion to establish the "Faculty LGBTQIA+…
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Trustee Gary Ames Passes Away

Gary Ames, respected BOT member and generous donor, suddenly passes…
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Board Meets with Faculty Council

To discuss what led to the Statement of No Confidence,…
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Dr. Pete C. Menjares Appointed Interim President

Dr. Pete C. Menjares, currently serving as a Board member,…
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Trustee Weibling Resigns

Trustee Dennis Weibling resigns from the Board before completing his…
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Board of Trustees Hires External Consultants

In response to the breakdown of communication and trust between…
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Board of Trustees Outlines Priorities

The Board affirms that they are committed to ongoing conversation…
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Board of Trustees Meets with Faculty LGBTQIA+ Task Force

Venture International arranges a meeting between the Board and the…
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Faculty LGBTQIA+ Task Force Sends Letter to the Board

The Faculty LGBTQIA+ Task Force sends a letter to the…
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Board Extends Terms of 3 Members, Elects New FMC Member

In order “to provide continuity during this interim leadership period,”…
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Board Apologizes for Events of Previous Spring

After the November 2021 Board meeting, the Board of Trustees…
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Consultants Present Findings to SPU Community

After the Venture International consultants present their findings at the…
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Board of Trustees Meets with Faculty Council

The Board meets with Faculty Council to discuss the consultants’…
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Work Groups Formed

The Board, administration, and faculty work together to compose several…
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2022
LGBTQIA+ Work Group Initiated

The formation of the LGBTQIA+ Work Group is announced. The…
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“Voices of Campus” Survey

The Associated Students of Seattle Pacific (SPU's student governance body)…
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Board & Faculty Council Attend Shared Governance Workshop

As part of the February Board meeting, the Board of…
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Trustee Chang Resigns

Trustee Tina Chang resigns before completing her term.

LGBTQIA+ Work Group Extends Deadline

Asking the community for a little more time, the LGBTQIA+…
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LGBTQIA+ Work Group Presents to Board of Trustees

The co-chairs of the LGBTQIA+ Work Group give a confidential…
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SPU Settles Rinedahl’s Suit

SPU settles Jeaux Rinedahl's suit against the university; the announcement…
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Two SPU Trustees Bring Resolution to the Free Methodist Church

Sometime after the LGBTQIA+ Work Group presentation on April 22,…
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LGBTQIA+ Work Group Shares Summary of Recommendations with SPU Community

The LGBTQIA+ Work Group shares a summary of the report…
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SPU Faculty Council Requests Recusal of Two Trustees

SPU Faculty Council sends a letter to Interim President Menjares…
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Faculty Chair Delivers Address to Board

During the May Board meeting, Faculty Chair April Middeljans delivers…
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Theology Professor Presents History of the Statement of Faith to the Board

Professor of Moral and Historical Theology Richard Steele presents the…
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Trustee Martinez Resigns

Trustee Denise Martinez, an SPU Ames Scholar alum, resigns from…
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Trustee Johnson Resigns

Board member Kevin Johnson, another SPU Ames Scholar alum, resigns,…
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Board of Trustees Reaffirms Hiring Policy

SPU Board of Trustees announces they will continue to maintain…
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Alumni Pledge to Withhold Support from SPU

Student governance (ASSP) organizes an alumni letter to the board…
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Students, Staff and Faculty Walk Out

On May 24, 2022, in protest against the Board's decision…
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Students Organize Sit-In in Demaray Hall

Students begin occupying the 2nd floor of Demaray Hall outside…
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Menjares Announces that Three Trustees Have Resigned & Recused Members Have Been Re-elected

Interim President Menjares shares an overview and reports from the…
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Board Chair Cedric Davis Resigns

Board Chair Cedric Davis resigns. Davis had reached the end…
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Board of Trustees Holds Town Hall Meeting

SPU Board of Trustees holds a town hall meeting with…
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Students Raise Funds for Lawsuit Against Board of Trustees

On June 1, 2022, SPU students begin a GoFundMe page…
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SPU Faculty Senate Passes Resolution Endorsing “Third Way”

SPU Faculty Senate passes a “Resolution to Endorse the ‘Third…
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Attorney General of Washington Requests Info on SPU Hiring Practices

The Attorney General of Washington State sends a letter to…
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Students Hand President Pride Flags at Graduation

On June 12, 2022, at SPU's graduation ceremony in the…
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Board of Trustees Responds to Student Sit-In Demands

On the student sit-in deadline of July 1, 2022, Board…
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SPU Files Complaint against Attorney General of Washington

SPU files a complaint against the the Attorney General of…
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SPU Announces Legal Action against Attorney General of Washington

Interim President Menjares informs the SPU community that in response…
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Trustees Jason Garcia and Mike McKee Resign

Trustee Jason Garcia resigns after one year of service. Trustee…
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CCCU Objects to Use of “Homophobic” to Describe SPU’s Conduct Policy

The Chief Communications Officer for the Council for Christian Colleges…
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Sociology Professor Publishes Response to SPU Lawsuit

Professor of Sociology Kevin Neuhouser publishes an op ed in…
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Faculty & Staff Walk Out of “State of the University” Address

At the beginning of Interim President Pete Menjares's "State of…
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Faculty Council Submit Formal Complaint to NWCCU

SPU's Faculty Council submits a formal complaint regarding SPU Board…
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