Update from President Andreasen

Andrews taking steps to address homelessness among LGBT youth

Dear Friends:

As you prepare for the end of the school year, I want to update you about a concern that emerged around the time many of you left campus for spring break.

For those of you who may be unaware, Andrews University has come under criticism in several media outlets about its response to a request for an on-campus fundraising event.

Let me emphasize that as part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Andrews University is committed to help all of God’s children, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation. This commitment clearly reflects the values of Christ and His calling.

The question of whether or not Andrews University views the needs of homeless LGBT youth as an important humanitarian cause is one that we can answer with a resounding “yes,” just as we believe Jesus would have responded.

We recognize the passion a number of our students have demonstrated in support of this issue. We believe that exploring the underlying causes of LGBT homelessness, along with other needs and concerns facing LGBT youth, is important for the University to consider.

Today I am sharing with you that we are committed to taking steps forward that will include careful study and the appointment of a taskforce that will help us gain greater understanding of this problem and propose helpful responses to the needs of these young people.

Further, we realize that these needs exist, in particular, because some Christian parents struggle with how to relate to their children as they identify and are honest about their orientation. This struggle sometimes leads to the tragedy of homelessness for LGBT youth.

We will keep you informed as we move forward on these issues, but in the meantime, an email address has been set up where you can send thoughts about the process or concerns that you’d like to have addressed. That address is suggestions@andrews.edu.

Niels-Erik Andreasen, President