In a previous news item, we recounted how Andrews University (which admittedly sits on stolen land) had fired two competent professors from the Architecture Department. This move by Andrews is creating tremendous pushback from professors, students, and alumni alike.
The reasons for their termination were vague, leaving the reader to speculate what the real reasons might be. The picture has now become clearer with this open letter to Andrews University from a former student. Andrews is promoting non-Adventist teachers who disparage Adventist beliefs, and reacting harshly to faithful teachers who question their decision.
“January 23, 2022
Letter from Troy Homenchuk, c/o 1999
School of Architecture & Interior Design (SAID) Faculty Member 2007-2014 & Contract Teacher 2015-2022
To AU Administration, the Board of Trustees, and concerned Alumni:
As an alumnus of the 1999 graduating class, a former full-time architecture faculty member at the AU School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID) from 2007 to 2014, and a long-time contract teacher and colleague at SAID from 2015 to 2022, I have had a long-standing connection to the school I love and have stayed informed about its developments. The letter of concern sent out about a month ago now, sparked by the dismissal of two highly valuable faculty members, has raised questions about the current state of the program. I reiterate my support for that letter and I believe there is more about which to be concerned.
To those who have reached out to administration, I encourage you to also directly contact the other parties involved. You do not have the complete story until you have heard from both sides. Leviticus 19:15 advises that "You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor." (NKJV) Especially considering the power dynamics that exist I appeal to all interested parties to seek the truth objectively, regarding the individuals who are not being renewed and the actions that have led to the current conflict.
The university has said this is a personnel issue, and at this point all those with concerns are left to speculate about what wrongs Professors von Maur and Rhonda Root may have committed to warrant their dismissal. In fact they have done nothing wrong that they should be told to leave. I believe both professors have innovated true faith integration, have been faithful to their obligations as SdA professors, and should be immediately reinstated.
In the discussions surrounding the crisis at SAID, there are foundational issues that have yet to be addressed. Perhaps in our desire to be kind--a worthwhile thing--maybe we have avoided talking about a few major concerns that pertain to the direction of the University and the current SAID leadership. It is important to note that the issues below are not intended as an attack on non-Adventists, or any individual, but rather an effort to safeguard Adventist education in accordance with University Working Policy and what Spirit of Prophecy has made plain.
1. Non-Adventist Assistant Dean appointment
In 2019, the Assistant Dean position within the College of Health and Human Services became vacant. The Dean offered the position to a non-Adventist faculty who accepted the position. Other qualified Adventist faculty were skipped over, including many individuals with more administrative experience.
Multiple faculty members and administrators within the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) spoke to the Dean about the non-Adventist Assistant Dean appointment, but each were met with strong opposition and rebuke for questioning the Dean's authority to make the appointment. Professor Andrew von Maur was one of those who questioned the appointment during a meeting with the Dean, pointing out University Working Policies that 1) require a search committee for such an appointment and 2) give no exceptions for non-Adventists to hold administrative positions. Professor von Maur was met with anger and a severe rebuke, being told it was inappropriate and not his place to ask these questions. As I mentioned in my first letter, standing for something makes you a target, and it was from this point on that Professor von Maur appears to have become a target and was treated with hostility.
Raising these same questions to the Dean created a work environment so hostile, soon after the Chair and Assistant Dean of SAID resigned as Chair.
2. Faculty conflict regarding Adventist beliefs
In late 2020, Professor von Maur had a personal meeting with a non-Adventist faculty member, with the consent of the SAID administration. During the meeting, Professor von Maur shared concerns he personally had regarding the faculty member's open disparagement of core Adventist beliefs during class with students, the faculty member's opposition to the Three Angels' Messages, and their hostility towards a devotional program that invited personal testimonies, among several other things. Professor von Maur stated that these were his personal views, and was not speaking on behalf of SAID. Given the ongoing discussions they had had over the years about these issues and his firsthand observations, it seemed appropriate for him to have this conversation.
In speaking to this faculty member, Professor von Maur was following both the biblical instruction of Matthew 18:15, as well as University Working Policy that advises employees to first talk with a person they have a disagreement with before taking it to those in higher positions. (See 2:160 of Working Policy) For his own reference, Professor von Maur prepared a draft document outlining his concerns, and later admin requested a copy of this draft, which was then shared with the faculty member in question without Professor von Maur’s knowledge.
After this, the Dean issued a Letter of Warning to Professor von Maur for being uncollegial and later he was accused of religious persecution by the Provost. Religious persecution!
Professor von Maur's concerns were not related to the faculty member's religion but rather focused on maintaining the Adventist mission we are entrusted with, or at minimum, not working against.
Professor von Maur filed a grievance against the Dean for having issued this Letter of Warning. The non-Adventist faculty member then wrote a rebuttal to the previously mentioned draft document which was used against Professor von Maur during the grievance, but administration refused to allow Professor von Maur to view the rebuttal.
Backed by his flawless record, Professor von Maur was known to be able to work with anyone, had only exceptional remarks on his faculty reviews from administration, excellent student reviews, and earned a reputation for being able to have hard conversations with unusual tact. But from this moment on Professor von Maur appears to have been labeled by administration as uncollegial; a label repeated to him ad nauseam.
See AU Working Policy 2:225:2 regarding the employment of non-Adventist faculty and the requirement to plan for and increase the percentage of Adventist faculty over time. Not only has this policy been ignored, but it also highlights that administration is willing to decrease the number of dedicated Adventist faculty while protecting non-Adventists who have a history of publicly disparaging Adventist beliefs. This is a significant concern considering the Adventist mission of Andrews University.
It's important to reiterate that there have been and continue to be valued and loved non-Adventist faculty members who have contributed greatly to Andrews University, and this is not intended to devalue these non-Adventists. This situation is not about discrimination against a non-Adventist faculty member, but rather a failure to adhere to established Working Policy. And what seems like the protection of a faculty member who has publicly criticized Adventist beliefs, while professors who actively integrate Adventist faith into their teaching have been terminated. What consequences will this have for students and the program?
3. Loss of faith integration in core curriculum
In February 2022, Professor von Maur was informed by the new SAID Interim-Chair that he had been removed from his leadership position of the annual five-week intensive summer Study Tour by administration above him, with no explanation provided.
For 17 years Professor von Maur had successfully led the summer tour, which is a required part of the core curriculum and a highlight of the program, as many alumni can attest. Having had the privilege to assist on the 2015 Study Tour I witnessed firsthand the seamless connections between the profession, architecture and urbanism, and faith. Over these years, this course has gained recognition for its deep faith integration, involving students in daily discussions on Great Controversy themes and how they relate to the architectural environment being studied. The faith integration curriculum was co-developed by Andrew von Maur and Rhonda Root, inextricably weaving faith and architecture (for a taste of this, here is a link to the course notebook provided to students: Study Tour Notebook). This faith integration experience has frequently had a transformative impact on students, resulting in the formation of Bible study groups and significant changes in students' lives!
After dismissing Professor von Maur from his leadership role, administration appointed the previously mentioned non-Adventist faculty member as the new leader.
Concerned students independently created a 20-page petition, co-signed by many alumni, requesting that Professor von Maur be reinstated and presented it to the administration. The Dean met with students and rebuked their efforts, and the President, to whom many of the letters were addressed, did not respond at all.
Separately, alumni contacted the President to express their concerns about the non-Adventist faculty member's criticism of Adventist beliefs during classes and on a study tour, but their concerns were dismissed by the President.
Professor von Maur filed a grievance directed to the Dean, and questioned the administration’s indifference to the elimination of faith-integration on the study tour.
It was later revealed by the SAID Interim-Chair that he had been integrally involved in the decision to remove Professor von Maur from the tour, which was contrary to what he had previously told the entire faculty. This ultimately contributed to the dismissal of the grievance against the Dean.
Many students who participated in the 2022 tour with the non-Adventist faculty member have expressed disappointment with the quality of the tour curriculum and the lack of faith integration.
If it’s unclear why all this matters, consider further.
I recently pulled out my faculty hire letter from 2007 back when I started out at the School, wherein it states: “…We are making this appointment for you to join the faculty with the understanding that you are fully committed to the Biblical doctrines, teachings and standards of the Seventh-day Adventist church, including the role of the gift of prophecy in guiding the church...”
These principles, which Professor von Maur and Professor Root are required to integrate into SAID instruction (and do so joyfully), are not just an employment obligation; they are the very foundation of Seventh-day Adventist education and the reason for which Andrews University was founded and continues to exist today. The Spirit of Prophecy, referenced in my hire letter, is explicit about this: “If morality and religion are to live in a school, it must be through a knowledge of God´s word. Some may urge that if religious teaching is to be made prominent our school will become unpopular; that those who are not of our faith will not patronize the college. Very well, then, let them go to other colleges where they will find a system of education that suits their taste. Our school was established, not merely to teach the sciences, but for the purpose of giving instruction in the great principles of God´s word and in the practical duties of everyday life… This is the education so much needed at the present time...” (Ellen G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 25.)
For alumni, students, professionals, and past administrators who know Andrew von Maur, it is clear that his character is marked by honesty, care, and conviction. He is known to approach difficult topics with candor, fairness, and self-control, and is quick to admit mistakes and seek forgiveness. This is why everyone is speaking out; people know his character and see that the label of uncollegial by administration does not describe the Andrew von Maur so many know and respect.
The sudden termination of Rhonda Root, (who has tenure!) is even more disturbing. Rhonda has been a part of the Andrews University family for 40 years, serving in various roles. She deeply cares for her students and fellow faculty and the University, more than most people will know. Rhonda is an artist, historian, counselor, missionary, and much more, with a steadfast character and generous spirit. She is a leader who willingly supports those around her who seek missionary opportunities. There is no justifiable reason for her unexpected and puzzling dismissal.
Those of us who are speaking out are not unduly criticizing Andrews University, but rather we are reasonable in requesting administrative accountability.
As we continue to grow we all bear fruits. A person of weak constitution may just give up and go away, but we are called to stand firm in the faith and be courageous, and Andrew and Rhonda are just such people. Matthew 7:17 says “…every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” The extraordinary response to Andrew von Maur and Rhonda Root being terminated shows the good fruit that is so evident. I pray that the Administration and Board can recognize what most every other honest-hearted objective observer sees, and I renew the ongoing call for them to be reinstated at AU SAID.
With deep respect for my faithful colleagues at SAID,
Troy Homenchuk”
Observations From Fulcrum7
Von Maur appears to be a man of Christian integrity, standing up for Adventist truth in a University that is increasingly distancing themselves from it.
This situation is not about discrimination against a non-Adventist faculty member, but rather a failure to adhere to established Working Policy. And what seems like the protection of a faculty member who has publicly criticized Adventist beliefs, while professors who actively integrate Adventist faith into their teaching have been terminated. What consequences will this have for students at Andrews University (which admittedly sits on stolen land)?
Rhonda Root appears to be a woman of integrity. She is also tenured, which raises significant questions about Andrews’ political move to terminate her.
Student Movement article “A House Divided.”
Bottom line: Adventist distinctives are being downplayed at least in the Architectural Department; likely this is an outgrowth of an increasing liberal/woke agenda that has taken over much of the Andrews Administration. We call it (ex) SDA Pop-Liberals. The Bible calls it the falling away.
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“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29)