Whitworth University in Turmoil
Two student-led clubs with opposing views, and a University under the national spotlight.
What exactly is happening at Whitworth University?
Inside sources have shown a light on the reality of the turmoil taking place at this private, Presbyterian University in Spokane, WA. For transparency’s sake, I’ll start by stating that this is my alma matter. I graduated with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication in 2014.
A club on campus, a chapter of Turning Point USA (Turning Point USA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to ‘identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote freedom.’) proposed bringing a speaker to campus named Xi Van Fleet. Fleet describes herself as “Chinese by birth, American by choice, survivor of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, defender of liberty.”
The Whitworth Pride club attended the ASWU (Associated Students of Whitworth University) meeting to express their concerns, and after hearing all arguments, ASWU did not approve the speaker in a 9-4 vote. Student leaders argued that her recent tweets could be deemed “harmful or offensive.” Fleet has been vocal about her criticism of the ‘woke’ ideology, including her opposition of trans rights.
In response, the Turning Point club claimed censorship and discrimination and rallied their club members to attend the next ASWU meeting which took place on Wednesday, April 19th.
Once ASWU votes on a matter, that decision is final. There was no hope of changing the vote, but the students of Turning Point wanted to be heard. In response, Pride club reached out to their members and some affirming faculty to ask for attendance and support. Students reached out to staff and faculty, asking for their written statement or supportive attendance at the meeting.
According to one person in attendance, during the ASWU meeting, one student stood up, and stated that he had been a victim of assault and that he loved everyone in the room, all before calling the entire LGBTQ community ‘moral degenerates.’ Others report quotes from members of the Turning Point Club calling LGBTQ+ persons a "moral stain on society" and "unworthy of God's love or acceptance."
The Whitworth Pride club had organized an event called “Queer Church'' advertised as a “celebration of LGBTQIA2S+ resiliency and love” featuring “food trucks, gender affirming resources, an open mic, and a drag workshop.” Students in the Pride club report that they were told by Whitworth staff that the event “[did not] align with the ethos of the university.”
FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) an organization that defends the rights of students and faculty members “no matter their views” argues that by denying Turning Point’s request to host speaker Xi Van Fleet, Whitworth is also censoring these students’ free expression.
From FIRE’s website: “Although Whitworth is a private, religious institution not otherwise required to respect students’ expressive rights, the Spokane university affirms “freedom of expression for its students, staff and faculty” in line with the “Constitutional understandings of free expression.” It additionally commits that “students are free to express their views . . . on any matter of interest to the student body.” Given those commitments, both TPUSA and Pride Club must be able to express themselves freely without administrative interference.”
On Friday, students from the Pride club were drawing chalk messages in attempt to foster some joy and positivity outside of the chapel, but were confronted by Dr. Forest Buckner, Storm Family Dean of Spiritual Life and Campus Pastor.
The confrontation lasted 15-20 minutes. Dr. Buckner asked them to refrain from drawing on the building or directly in front of the chapel before diving into a theological debate. Students report that he asked if they would "label anyone who believes that gay sex is sinful as homophobic.”
Students describe the confrontation as threatening. “His physical stance during the encounter was concerning: one student was physically backed into a corner, his body blocked entrance into the chapel, and his communication targeted the theology of LGBTQ+ persons as well as their sexual experiences.”
The students in Pride club have reported being traumatized by recent campus events, missing classes, not sleeping or being clear-minded enough to finish assignments. Many are not eating.
On April 23rd, The Whitworth Pride club’s instagram made the announcement that their event “Queer Church” is back on and happening on Sunday, April 30th.
One staff member states that there is a huge portion of faculty who wants Forrest Buckner gone.
“Truly, he is the biggest problem. He's 3rd in command of the university and is single-handedly blocking the hiring of queer faculty, etc. If he leaves, more than half of the problem leaves.”
Note: Student and staff witnesses at Whitworth University have all chosen to remain anonymous, stating safety/job security concerns.
Written by Gabrielle Lee
Questions? Corrections? Send me an email at gabrielle.perez206@gmail.com
I’m a Queer, Latina independent journalist who is committed to sharing the truth, and advocating for marginalized communities everywhere. If you support these efforts, please consider becoming a free of paid subscriber to ‘On Common Ground.’