Deseret News | 'Mormon-friendly' colleges planned for Nevada, Nauvoo

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'Mormon-friendly' colleges planned for Nevada, Nauvoo

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Anaconda 12 | 12:18 a.m. July 23, 2008

Moapa, Nevada? Are they joking? What 18 year old in their right mind would want to go to college in Moapa?

Anonymous | 12:29 a.m. July 23, 2008

Are you kidding? Have you ever been to Moapa Valley?

Former Nauvoo Missionary | 1:47 a.m. July 23, 2008

It remains to be seen if this is just another persons dream around the Nauvoo theme..and there have been many, many, such dreams in the past that have never born fruit. Something we have observed in past years with Nauvoo. Moapa and Nauvoo...why especially Moapa, Nv. ???? Next to Vegas down the road which is certainly no place for teen agers to go...there is only sagebrush and a few indians in Moapa!!!Be careful investors. The Brethren could not envision it over the years...be careful indeed.

Comments continue below

Yes Moapa | 2:01 a.m. July 23, 2008

Jim Bridger to Brigham Young in 1847, somewhere in Wyoming, "I will give $50 for the first bushel of corn you can grow in that valley." I wonder if B.Y. ever collected the $50. Who knows what crop will spring from the seeds planted in Moapa valley?

Mark B. | 4:43 a.m. July 23, 2008

Why cloister Mormon students in "Mormon-friendly" schools? And shouldn't all those years in Seminary and Young Men and Young Women prepare them to deal intelligently with challenging ideas?

Plus, SVU a "success"? Hanging on by its fingernails--is that success?

Anonymous | 4:47 a.m. July 23, 2008

As the church grows, and as fewer and fewer are able to get into church-run schools, these types of schools are necessary to help young adults stay strong in the gospel and get an education in an environment with others who share their values. Can't wait to see how these schools fare!

Don't follow BYU all the way | 5:13 a.m. July 23, 2008

Will these new colleges also have dumb bell honors calculus the same as BYU?, where techniques of integration are waived in favor of measuring the area under graphs by hand?

Private College | 5:24 a.m. July 23, 2008

Sounds like these could be nice opportunities for the right students. I hope the colleges can make the finances work.

Laurie | 5:31 a.m. July 23, 2008

It seems misrepresentational to me that on the Nauvoo University website "Quick facts" page, they have the BYU Universities listed as "sister institutions" along with links to them as though they are affiliated or endorsed by BYU.

Cats | 5:38 a.m. July 23, 2008

I don't know where the Moapa Valley is, but I certainly know where Nauvoo is. I've been there many times and I think it is just great that they are trying to start an LDS-oriented college in Nauvoo. I agree that there need to be more opportunities for kids that can't attend BYU for one reason or another. As a life-long Cougar, I wish every LDS kid that wants to could attend BYU. However, not everyone can so I hope many will get the opportunity to attend another school that would give them an LDS college experience.

People should also check out George Wythe Collge. It is moving it's campus to Monticello, Utah. It also offers an alternative LDS experience in a liberal arts environment.

Anyway, I applaud those who are doing this and, if I hadn't already graduated, I would love to have an opportunity to take a few classes and have an historic and cultural LDS experience in Nauvoo.

anonymous | 6:14 a.m. July 23, 2008

Moapa couldn't be any worse than Rexburg, Idaho... cows & farms!

Bravo! | 6:28 a.m. July 23, 2008

Southern Virginia U. has worked well.
The world will benefit from more of this kind of school.

Dexter | 6:35 a.m. July 23, 2008

They might go for the fireworks.

jackie | 6:56 a.m. July 23, 2008

Great idea! LDS youth everywhere need the opportunity to associate with like minded youth. Out here in the "mission field" too many go to high school and university and are amongst only a handful of LDS. And, before anyone gets their back up, wouldn't you like your children and young adults associating with others that were raised with the same values whether LDS or not?

Forrest | 7:08 a.m. July 23, 2008

I am currently a PhD student at George Wythe College in Cedar City, Utah. Although GWC is non-demoinational it is probably 90% LDS. The staff and mentors are very open to any students of all religions. Their main goal is to develop men and women into statesmen who will seek to bring about the cause of liberty to all. After three years it has be a great experience and I hope these new schools of higher education will stress some of the same principle that George Wythe College stresses.

Drchiro | 7:18 a.m. July 23, 2008

"aimed at Latter-day Saint students who are not admitted to Brigham Young University or its campuses in Idaho and Hawaii"

Somewhat biased I would say. Lets round up the flunkies that couldn't get into a church school. Did it ever occur to the author that some might want to go to a smaller school and others might choose it for the programs it may offer or for geographical reasons?

Artie | 7:22 a.m. July 23, 2008

Living in Indiana not terribly far from Nauvoo, I applaud the efforts to bring a church-based school to the midwest. It will not "cloister" the students, rather allow them to mix with many here who are not of our faith. We will certainly help this institution however we can.

marc | 7:23 a.m. July 23, 2008

Intersting business: and a business it is. The pop. extrapolations would be easy to make, the financial plan easier than that. Mormon Church officials have already met with these folks? Hmmmm. A chance for someone to make a lot of money by buying up land near these places/sites.

This could be very interesting... as a business.

Rich | 7:22 a.m. July 23, 2008

Why can't Mormon kids go to regular colleges? Aren't their testimonies strong enough to survive the real world? These schools will be nothing more than a high school. Buyer beware!

Carolina Saint | 7:27 a.m. July 23, 2008

Southern Va needs help with it's academic reputation among many things, maybe instead of starting new schools they should enhance the ones out there in business now.

The BYU schools are top notch and respected, Saints need to be careful opening schools that are not very well regarded academically because it reflects on our religion and our people.

If you need a "special school".. | 7:34 a.m. July 23, 2008

..."to stay strong in your gospel", your faith isn't strong.

One with unshakeable morals and ethics is not tempted by others.

Oh, and to the person who warned about "Las Vegas just down the road". Las Vegas IS full of Mormons -- and we (non-LDS) don't find it a bit tempting to visit there. We don't like gaudy shows, gambling, and tourist-oriented plasticity.
But apparently, the major religion in Vegas (LDS) does. So, I guess Moapa makes sense....because no one would go there, without having to have a strong testimony that it's true.

Why? | 7:39 a.m. July 23, 2008

Why does everyone think that they need a "Mormon-Friendly" school to go to? I think that this just continues the myth that Mormons like to segregate themselves from everyone else, and that we think we're better than others. We can still have good experiences without having to congregate together. I think having it in Nauvoo is a bad idea. It seems that we Mormons are once again taking over the area and that could lead to more problems.

SKF | 7:44 a.m. July 23, 2008

Guess I'd better explain Dexter's comment. Moapa Valley is about 30 miles North of Las Vegas. From the freeway the gateway to the Moapa Valley is store run by the Moapa Indians that sells liquor, a little overpriced food, trinkets and fireworks. Around that store is total desert. From that perspective I too cannot imagine anyone wanting to go to school there. I suspect that off of the freeway the Moapa Valley offers much more but I can't say for sure. I drive truck and the store has truck parking so I've spent the night there a time or two but had no desire to purchase their various offerings.

Now as for these schools, rather than look for "LDS friendly schools" why not encourage your students to attend the institute on many school campuses around the country?

SRas | 7:57 a.m. July 23, 2008

I believe that these efforts, while well intentioned, are being misdirected. Such schools will do very little in terms of providing a quality education for students. This flies in the face of repeated Church counsel to get the best and most education you can.

If you can't get into one of the BYUs and want an LDS experience, attend any other school in Utah - it will be basically the same thing. Or get involved in the institute programs at any university in the country. Let your light so shine.

These are tremendous efforts by generous people. Their investments would be better served by starting an LDS-based university in Latin/South America, where educational opportunities are more difficult to come by.

Re: BYU academics | 7:56 a.m. July 23, 2008

To "Don't follow BYU all the way," which section was that? When I took Math 112 at BYU, they certainly didn't let me measure anything by hand! In fact, the BYU text (Dr. Gardner's) hasn't been very popular at other institutions because it has a reputation for being too rigorous. Where are you getting your information?
And as long as we're criticizing educational standards, "dumbbell" is one word, not two.

Pamela | 7:59 a.m. July 23, 2008

Diversity can be a great thing, and we need to hold fast to our LDS values in this world where it seems anything that is sacred is mocked and scorned. My daughter went to SVU and to Utah State and is now home in Delaware to finish her schooling. There was a lot of good and bad in both places.Being immersed in a Mormon culture where some people take everything for granted and also being subjected to a secular environment where most students are members but you wouldn't be able to guess who. I guess you can find what you're looking for wherever you go, but only if it is made available to you. I know that faith has been able to move mountains, clear swamps, and tame the countrysides. The campus at BYU is beautiful; SVU's campus is quaint but just as serene and Utah State is surrounded by wonderful views. I'm sure that in Nauvoo or Nevada the campuses would be equally as wonderful because not only would the Spirit be there, but the faith to move mountains, clear the swamps and tame the countryside will be there as well.

Anonymous | 8:04 a.m. July 23, 2008

This is great news. I attended a local university that was flooded with BYU rejects- and they were trying to turn my school into a mini BYU. There needs to be a place where these kids can get an education and don't feel the need to push thier beliefs/values on others.

Nauvoo | 8:06 a.m. July 23, 2008

Only very rich students would be able to go to school in Nauvoo as they are so incredibly tiny. They have one itsy bitsy grocery store a couple of gas stations and a few tourist stores. No part time jobs for students.

Greg | 8:06 a.m. July 23, 2008

This is exciting! I was so disappointed when the Joseph Smith Academy was discontinued. The students I talked to loved it, especially the opportunity to travel to the Church history sites and be immersed in them.

Nauvoo was also a big beneficiary from increased local spending by the students. I only wish I could be in position at this time to relocate there and teach Church history in their Institute program.

Best wishes and I hope great blessings from the Lord!

skeptical Utah Man | 8:06 a.m. July 23, 2008

Drchiro - The bias you perceive is in the business plan, not in the article. Kids who want an LDS University experience go to BYU, BYU-I, and BYU-H when they can be admitted. SVU faculty send their kids to the Y.

Marc - your population extrapolation might be flawed because it assumes a University sized student body and a comparable economic impact. SVU only has 8,627 students total. But it might be right. They only house less than 500 students.

SV Who? | 8:09 a.m. July 23, 2008

Southern Virginia, from what I know, is barely hanging on and has yet to receive solid and recognizable accreditations from any widely-respected agency. If I'm not correct in that observation, I would like someone to inform me.

Shouldn't LDS kids be at state schools throughout the country, going to institute, being good examples, and letting their "light shine" to others? Cloistering them into these small and fledgling islands won't help them in the long run.

Cynthia | 8:08 a.m. July 23, 2008

Go for it! Not only LDS students are looking for such places to further their education. I'm especially rooting for the one in Nauvoo (knowing nothing about Moapa). Nauvoo has huge potential for attracting students from all over the place. Way to dream, Ivie and Robinson. We wish you well.

skeptical utah man | 8:13 a.m. July 23, 2008

SVU admits 98% of applicants and charges about four times the tuition of BYU and Utah. SVU isn't government accredited. It's accreditation is from an organization that has a history of low standards and government suspension. BYU and Utah are both government accredited. SVU accepts "life experience" in lieu of a high school diploma.

Sending your kid to a mormon themed charter school type college won't change them into BYU material. If your home schooled kid can't pass a GED and get into a real school, spending 25K a year won't solve his problem.

Oh bother | 8:18 a.m. July 23, 2008

Of course Mormons like mormon friendly schools just like catholics like notre dame and fundies like Bob Jones university. A student attends to find others that believe like they do. What I find bizarre is that some that have posted as much don't realize that. Sheesh, and I'm anti-lds.

Fear | 8:21 a.m. July 23, 2008

This is just playing on the fears of ignorant Mormons who think that they might be exposed to diverse ideas and lifestyles at secular universities. There are so many great schools out there - it is a mystery to me why so many Mormons try to hard to end up in Provo.

Anonymous | 8:21 a.m. July 23, 2008

"Saints need to be careful opening schools that are not very well regarded academically because it reflects on our religion and our people"

Last I checked an education was not the main reason for attending BYU or college in Utah.. sounds like these LDS friendly schools will accomplish the main objective just fine. If you dont want to spend all that cash on their tuition, just join the LDSsingles website.

Alex | 8:27 a.m. July 23, 2008

Look, I went to secular public schools and graduate schools with LDS in the minority my whole life but I was at BYU for only 4 1/2 years. I laugh when I hear some say that I miss out on the real world by going to a church friendly or church school. It was so refreshing for me to go to BYU. I loved it. And as for your "real world", I was liberated when I left my liberal-indoctrination-center high school to go to BYU. While I think the Moapa Valley is not a good location for a college of this sort, I welcome other efforts to expand the opportunities that I had.

Proof Positive... | 8:27 a.m. July 23, 2008

Where there's Religion, there's Money to be made!

Arkad The Great | 8:28 a.m. July 23, 2008

Is George Wythe even accredited yet?

svu dad | 8:37 a.m. July 23, 2008

re: SRas' comment. Having a daughter who attended SVU, I believe that the education she received there was just as good if not better than she could have received at BYU. The smaller class sizes allows a much closer interaction between the teachers and the students and as my daughter told me on more than one occaision, the subjects come alive as never before

Alex | 8:38 a.m. July 23, 2008

SRas:

"These are tremendous efforts by generous people. Their investments would be better served by starting an LDS-based university in Latin/South America, where educational opportunities are more difficult to come by. "

I think your idea is great. However, how feasible is it to set up a private accredited university like BYU or some such in South America? (I hope it is workable.)

BAD IDEA | 8:36 a.m. July 23, 2008

Seems LDS ppl dont brave enough to face the world.they cant live independently around other faith.Its unhealthy sign just sticking around own folks.mixing with other faith will develope toleration,understanding and respect each other.The church should not over protective towards its members.Give them chance to grow up themselves.Its unwise to just spoon-fed its members.Providing everything just for them to study and live together is like separate them from the real world.

"Why Mormon-friendly" schools? | 8:41 a.m. July 23, 2008

I can think of several reasons actually, but with limited space, I will only mention one: rampant immorality in colleges.

My sister-in-law went to college in Arizona. She could only stand it a week because her roommate continually had her boyfriend sleeping over in their room - very little actual sleeping was happening. No amount of institute classes will counter that type of evil influence.

With all of the immorality happening in colleges across America today, I can absolutely see where there is a need for additional, clean environments where people can focus on studying and not have to endure the bombardment of filth. At a time when young adults should be planning for their futures, at far too many colleges, all they are planning is how to gratify their carnal appittites.

I can also see where people with high standards would want to be around others with those same standards. Not because they think they are superior to anyone else, but because they want to have people to talk to who are interested in things more uplifting than who got drunk last weekend.

Yeah, Right.... | 8:41 a.m. July 23, 2008

As if Rexburg, ID wasn't boring enough, now some geniuses think Nauvoo and some crud hole in Nevada are going to appeal? Come on people, why don't you actually talk to the people who matter (prospective students) and see if anyone would actually want to live there before you waste your money on such an asinine idea.

What About Institute? | 8:48 a.m. July 23, 2008

For my two cents, I don't necessarily oppose building "Mormon-friendly" schools, just as long as they offer a quality education rather than cloistering themselves off from the world and ignoring the social realities we face.

However, I AM deeply suspicious of a Mormon-cultural trend towards shunning public university education for fear of being "indoctrinated by liberals" or other such nonsense. Heaven forbid LDS youth should learn to think for themselves, think critically (in the BEST sense of the term), or learn that Republicanism or extreme conservativism aren't necessarily The Gospel--and sometimes even as far from it as you can get!

While LDS students should avoid the "beer-and-circus" lifestyle at many universities, there's no need for LDS students to fear this "indoctrination" hogwash. The LDS Institute program at most U.S. universities helps students find their spiritual balance in a secular world. And surely the student's own testimony counts for something?

Christ taught to be as wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves. To me, that means LDS students should learn about the world, including learning to recognize and shun what's harmful and degrading. If these new schools will do that, more power to them!

metamoracoug | 8:48 a.m. July 23, 2008

to drchiro: the flunkies that couldn't get into BYU? Academic standards to get into BYU provo are extremely high. If I tried applying now with my high school stuff from 30 years ago, someone would chuckle and say, "yeah, right." And I wasn't a flunkie.

Getting into BYU HI is easier academically, but living in HI is prohibitively expensive.

Las Vegas Guy | 8:51 a.m. July 23, 2008

Moapa Valley is between Las Vegas and St. George off of I-15 and those are two cities loaded with LDS people. I hope this works out, I'd send my kids there if they wanted an education and didn't want to go to Happy Valley.

I agree | 8:54 a.m. July 23, 2008

I agree, SRas. Having lived in the Nauvoo area several years ago, I have very serious concerns about a "university" existing there (not to be confused with BYU's excellent "study abroad" program) and its impact on the area. The impact on the community has the very real potential to create significant problems, particularly between the LDS church and the citizens of Nauvoo (you can read between the lines and figure it out). The behavior and quality of these students is crucial to continued good relations. Aside from that, I agree that these are well-intentioned but misdirected efforts. There are many excellent educational institutions with outstanding institute programs, and if we really want to see students grow--both academically and emotionally--then they need to get outside their comfort zones! I now live in Utah because I choose to, but I wouldn't trade my life and experiences outside of Utah for ANYTHING.

K | 8:55 a.m. July 23, 2008

If the demand is there why not? There are other faith schools around the country: bible colleges, catholic universities. It's nothing new, a school set up with the mission of a particular church behind it.

mom | 8:56 a.m. July 23, 2008

I vote for getting involved in the institute programs at other universities around the US. Back east I know of a couple of great ones. GO HOKIES!!!

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