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A public hearing began this morning on Proposed Bill 6883, which would exempt Bible colleges from the state’s higher education licensing process. Currently, educational entities whose curriculum is entirely religious must meet the state’s secular standards or face cease and desist orders. From an analysis from a Baptist pastor in Southington whose Bible College is in the state’s crosshairs:

The State Board of Higher Education sent us a certified letter on March 17, 2006 to cease and desist… The board never contacted us prior to this letter and never visited the college. It is difficult to believe that they could understand who we are or what we are doing. Although our attorney called their office to discuss their letter, the next communication of any kind that we received from them was a follow-up letter sent by the board on June 16, 2006 stating that the matter was being referred to the AG office. The intent was to place an injunction against the ministry. Representatives from the church immediately arranged a meeting with the State board. Subsequent meetings have been held, but Dr. Zdanys has held firm that the College must be state licensed and accredited… 

What does the state know or understand concerning the operation of a Bible college? Can they offer suggestions on teaching New Testament Survey, Pastoral Theology, Homiletics and Hermeneutics etc. etc. How can they regulate the qualifications of our faculty when there is no state accredited College that has graduates meeting our qualifications? Dr. Zdanys would not even qualify for our staff. All of the men from the office of Higher Education are well educated and we greatly appreciate and understand their important role in regulating curriculum, faculty, facilities, etc., of secular universities. However, they have no understanding concerning the operation of a Bible college. According to the board their role is to keep a level playing field for all. There can be no exceptions. However, they also admitted that Yale is not state accredited. In addition, the Catholic Bible School offers a non degree program that is remarkably similar to ours, with no license or accreditation. 

Hundreds of students leave our state every year to attend a Bible College like NEBC. These young people could remain in this state, receive training and contribute to our society through the ministry of NEBC. Legislative help is needed. Dr. Zdanys has stated several times it is his duty to follow the law. But not only does he take a very strict interpretation of the law, but when asked if we can change the law he is quick to respond that he will oppose such effort. I’m sure he is doing what he deems right. However, we greatly disagree on this issue. Other religious groups throughout the state are very interested in this issue and I believe it will continue to come before the state in the future. Now is the time to resolve this issue, before it becomes a much bigger issue. Four ministries are presently being pursued by the state and one other ministry which I have been in contact has been forced to close. We have spoken to several legislators on both sides of the aisle and believe this is a bipartisan issue that could easily be resolved through legislation.  The Catholic Bible School offers a non degree program that is remarkably similar to ours, with no license or accreditation. 

Watch for more information on what you can do to help protect Connecticut’s Bible Colleges. 

7 Responses to “Help Save State’s Bible Colleges!”

  1. on 13 Feb 2007 at 3:48 pmmatt

    Do these institutions offer degrees? What kinds?

  2. on 14 Feb 2007 at 6:08 pmDave

    According to http://www.newenglandbaptistcollege.com this school offers Associate’s and Bachelor’s degress in Biblical Studies as the sole field of study. It does not purport to be a secular program of learning in any way. Its exclusive focus is the preparation of individuals for leadership in Baptist Church ministries.

    Apparently the problem here is that Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 10a-34 impose strict limits on schools using the word “college” to describe themselves, or conferring degrees. The meaning of a “degree” within this context relates specifically to a certificate of completion for a course of instruction that purports to be equivalent to college or university-level credits. Whether it is excplitly stated, or merely implied, if the program materials suggest that college or univeristy-level credit is given then the school may potentially run afoul of these laws.

    Now it’s pretty obvious why NEBC’s program gets tangled on these laws. They call themselves a college, describe a plan of study including courses that earn credits, and award degrees. And at first blush you might ask, “why don’t they just stop pretending to be a ‘college’ so that the state will leave them alone?”

    But really what business does the state have in regulating this school, if they are entirely a religious institution with no secular program of higher learning?

    When you ponder it more deeply, you have to wonder … isn’t this attempt by the state to regulate a “bible school” a gross violation of the “separation between church and state”? Those who are involved with NEBC want the freedom to practice their religious beleifs without government interference, and nothing more. Isn’t that exactly what the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is supposed to guarantee? Sounds like yet another case on anti-religious bigotry.

  3. on 12 Mar 2007 at 6:34 amEric

    Well, the fact is, that the State is not saying that these organizations cannot teach bible programs OR that they cannot organize their own form of certification. What they are saying is that that certification cannot have the appearance of an accredited degree.

    When you think about it, no matter what religion you may be, it’s unfair of these educational institutions to publicize the word “college” and “degree” as if the student would really be obtaining qualifications that would help them in any other job field outside the church.

    By lobbying against this very idea, basically Connecticut residents would be telling the state that basically anyone can ~pretend~ to run an actual college as long as it was under some religious umbrella. This very idea would certainlly result in a basic deregulation of all the principals we’ve used as a basis for our educational system. Think about the consequences of that for one moment…

  4. on 12 Mar 2007 at 10:49 amSteph

    Doesn’t “Bible College” infer that you are getting a “degree” specifically for a religious purpose?

  5. on 12 Mar 2007 at 1:20 pmmatt

    I think they should be able to teach whatever they like – but that if they issue bachelor’s degrees and the like, the state has an interest in regulating that enough is taught to merit the degree – in exactly the same way that the state regulates who can call themselves a doctor.

    This isn’t a religious discrimination issue: secular schools don’t get to ignore standards being imposed on religious schools, every degree-granting institution has to meet the same guidelines.

    At the same time, if the bible colleges are issuing certificates of completion instead of bachelor’s degrees, I don’t think their programs should be regulated in any way.

  6. on 29 Mar 2007 at 5:10 amCraig Scott

    You can visit http://www.bill6883.com for more details on why this bill should be passed.

  7. on 25 Apr 2007 at 10:54 amRay

    There are many talking points on this issue. First is the States “right” to control the use of the word “college”. In my College (oops – that word just pops up) Dictionary, nine different definitions are given for the word “college”, one of which is “3. an institution for vocational, technical, orprofessional instruction”. NEBC trains men to be Pastors and missionaries (i.e. vocations). Therefore, the word college is well suited to describe NEBC. Similarly, is the States concern over the term “degree”. The same dictionary lists 16 definitions, one of which refers to education. That one is “6. an academic title conferred by universities and colleges upon the completion of studies…” A degree is simply a symbol to the world and a mark of achievement to the holder that a course of study has been completed. A degree, by itself, does not imply it is from an accredited college.

    Random House Webster’s COLLEGE DICTIONARY, Random House, New York, 2000. Pages 261 and350.

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