The SGA, (Student Government Association) held a second meeting to discuss the possibility of altering the language of the Community Covenant. The meeting took place on November 21, and discussed the language in regards to LGBTQ+ individuals who attend, or hope to attend, Houghton. According to Student Body President Joanna Friesen ‘17, the issue is not a new one. She recounted concerns that were first vocal during the past spring semester with a petition. While the petition itself did not come to fruition, Friesen attributed the current decisions the SGA is making to the concerns it presented. “Due to the concern/awareness that the petition raised,” she claimed. “Student Life took up the process again this fall, preparing revised language within the Student Life Council.”
When describing the process of forming the SGA’s proposed new language, Friesen explained, “I spent the last three weeks consulting with different groups of students on campus, and asking advice of advisers and professors. I drafted language, and then held two edit committee sessions. The entire executive cabinet, and a representative from each class was present between one or the other session.” The result was language that, as Friesen described “tried to reflect the suggestion from a number of students that ‘no pre-marital or extra-marital sex’ be the common community standard.”
The excerpt of the proposed language discussed at the meeting stated “We [Houghton College] affirm, endorse, and teach traditional marriage as between one woman and one man. Practicing Christian hospitality we remain an open and welcome community of friendship and shared Christian learning to LGBTQ+ community members. We value and welcome all individuals, and the perspective and gifts they bring to Houghton College, while committing to live within Scriptural and Wesleyan ethics together. We expect that all community members refrain from pre-marital sex and adultery. We also expect community members to use discretion and respect of others in the community when displaying affections, especially such displays deemed inappropriate for public or commons spaces.”
Colleen Shannon ‘17, who attended the meetings for the discussion, identified what she believed was the greatest challenge of the controversy. She stated, “I’d say the major concern was this balance that we’re trying to hold between acknowledging the Wesleyan affiliation, respecting those with traditional or conservative views, and also acknowledging and accepting those who are pegged on the more progressive side, those who identify as LGBTQ students.” She continued, “Whatever decision we make, we’re hoping will land in the midst of all three of those but there’s the potential that it may weigh more towards one side of the triangle.”
When the SGA presented the proposed language at the meeting on Monday, discussion led to some changes to the proposed draft. However, Friesen noted “The edits made on Monday were not foundational.” Among the suggestions given was a proposal by Aaron Eisenhart ‘17 to use the phrase “sexual orientation and gender identity” rather than the LGBTQ+ acronym. President of Houghton’s unofficial LGBTQ+ student group Phil Maenza ‘17 said he believed this suggestion was more “timeless”, so that Houghton “won’t have to go through this process again in ten years.”
Friesen said she hoped the approved proposed draft will be presented to the Student Life Council this week, or by the end of September. Presentation to the council would be the next step in having the language integrated into the Community Covenant.