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

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'Mormon-friendly' colleges planned for Nevada, Nauvoo

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DC Based | 4:29 p.m. July 23, 2008

My undergraduate years at BYU were fantastic, just as my graduate studies at Yale were terrific. The work being done at SVU is beyond impressive. While I don't know anyone who goes there, I've had the opportunity to be on campus and found it to be a place of tremendous potential and vision. Since visiting a few times, my money now goes to SVU instead of BYU and Yale. Hats off to those who are building the foundation of a great institution. I, and hopefully many more, will be watching SVU continue to flourish in the coming years and become a first-class institution in a remarkably short period of time. I've even had thoughts of retiring near SVU to serve in any volunteer capacity available to me.

skeptical utah man | 4:42 p.m. July 23, 2008

to "know the facts"

I sent a referenced response but the moderator killed it because it had URLs. You'll have to look it up yourself.

SVU's accreditation is national in the sense that the accrediting organization exists in more than one state. It is NOT NOT NOT a government accredited school. It is accredited by the "American Academy for Liberal Education," a private organization that gave government recognized accreditation to eight (8) institutions before being suspended from new accreditations by the Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings.

These are documented facts. They don't jibe with what SVU tells customers because SVU is in the business of business.

An SVU education is not equivalent to an education at an upper eschelon school like BYU or Utah.

Think of it this way - if you needed heart surgery, would you rather have a doctor who studied at U Med or one who had to go to Grenada? It's a no-brainer.

While some SVU faculty keep their kids at home, I personally have taught children of SVU faculty at BYU. It's where they go, if they can be admitted.

People who tell you different are trying to sell something.

No SVU | 4:46 p.m. July 23, 2008

Southern Virginia was created by taking over an existing college with facilities and infrastructure. It is hard to compare it with these proposed institutions. The new ones will have more challenges than those faced by the founders of SVU.

Comments continue below

Other Options | 4:51 p.m. July 23, 2008

If LDS want to associate with each other, which is a natural human desire (e.g. San Francisco or West Hollywood for gays), why not pick an established, accredited school, either public or private (e.g. Indiana Universty Bloomington [no, I did not go there], and recruit the like-minded to attend through promoting LDS institute programs. This can be accomplished by the web. Once a critical mass is established, more students will come.

Matthew | 4:56 p.m. July 23, 2008

Lots of opinions. I think that a small college is a good fit for many people. Unfortuanatey, at a small college it is unlikely that an LDS student will find a critical mass of LDS students in order to experience the full range of college social life. Such a student could play football with the other students, study with the other students, and go for adventures with the other students. But they wouldn't be able to have gospel-based heart-to-hearts with non-LDS students and they wouldn't be able to date with an eye toward marrying in a temple with non-LDS students. So, having an assortment of small LDS oriented colleges would provide a service to some LDS college students.

soakblue | 5:23 p.m. July 23, 2008

To TJEd supporters: I am for a liberal education! I love the classics and am in favor of mentors. I have the Harvard Classics on my bookshelf and I read them. Unfortunately, I also love good *textbooks* and am in favor of *professors*. I also believe that time *and* content should be structured and that children should learn certain foundational concepts by a certain age. Luckily, the real Thomas Jefferson felt the same way. Some of DeMille's TJEd ideas, based in I don't know what (it's certainly not based in either thorough research or actual history), are destructive to kids' education.

I hope they are better than SVU | 5:37 p.m. July 23, 2008

I am intimately familiar with SVU, many of their faculty, and leadership. And my opinion of that place, to put is mildly, is a huge waste of money and an overgrown 'good ole boys' club. Do not send your children to that school. The do not learn, HS classes are more challenging. There is corruption there among the leaders. The honor code is basically the same as BYU's but it is not consistenly applied and adhered to. STAY AWAY! as for the other two schools, make sure you do not do what SVU has done.

Not all are BUY rejects people | 5:46 p.m. July 23, 2008

Just because an LDS member doesnt' attend a Church University, DOES NOT always mean they were not accepted.

I know many who do not want to go to a Church University. So what?

There are truly many many excellent schools out there that are not Church owned and will give you equal if not a better education.

Open you minds and broaden your horizons.

It's not a bad thing if you don't get accepted, choose not to go for whatever the reason. There are plenty of good schools across the globe!

Eastern Observer | 5:47 p.m. July 23, 2008

SVU sure isn't worth $25,000/yr. In many respects it's a faux LDS environment, rich parents' last ditch effort to rehab kids w/ WOW issues who couldnt' get into BYU. It's in the middle of nowhere - literally. Teeny, tiny town w/out much to do. James Madison Univ. frat parties are about 30 min. up the interstate frequented by some. Even SVU itself has rep as "party school" among LDS youth in surrounding states. Good kids who fought hard to maintained standards as one or one of a handful of LDS in large eastern high schools may be sorely disappointed by the environment. SAT/ACT acceptance standards relatively low. It may be true that those w/ poor academics whose parents can afford the opportunity may thrive in smaller classes, etc. Poor scheduling guidance by advisor caused delayed graduation for one acquaintance. Another miserably disappointed w/ disregard for Church standards by fellow students. Another couldn't get credits to transfer.
Some housing truly ancient - makes Heritage seem palacial.

What are they thinking | 5:47 p.m. July 23, 2008

Moapa Valley?????

Boy is this were the disfellowed or excommunicated are sent to school? This just seems like a bad idea. These schools that claim LDS ties but are not administored nor controlled by the church are just bad news.

Illinois Nauvoo lover | 5:47 p.m. July 23, 2008

The comment that these would be no more than a high school is preposterous. The educators involved in this endeavor are brilliant and experienced professionals.

I participated in the Semester at Nauvoo program; the quality of the education I received there was in no way lacking. Part of the joy of the experience was studying in that peaceful place where the spirit of its history lingers--it is a natural place of learning with its many restored historical sites.

Why are there concerns about people studying with those who have similar beliefs? It doesn't hinder their growth or ability to think, but facilitates the development of ideas within the realm of their understanding. Just because someone isn't "liberal" does not mean they are close-minded.

Typing too fast... | 5:48 p.m. July 23, 2008

Typing too fast and made many grammatical errors.

Before anyone else comments on that...I thought I would do so myself.

Thanks~!

Alex | 5:51 p.m. July 23, 2008

skeptical utah man:

"While some SVU faculty keep their kids at home, I personally have taught children of SVU faculty at BYU. It's where they go, if they can be admitted.

People who tell you different are trying to sell something. "

Thats true, and for a small college getting started they will have to do a lot of selling. That's expected. Don't forget though that Abraham Smoot poured about everything he had into BYU to keep it afloat. The critical path for SVU now is their accreditation. Everything depends on that. Potential contributors will be looking closely to see that progress towards accreditation is being made. Meanwhile, let us not forget our own beginnings. My great grandmother attended Brigham Young Academy, when it was the size many today would scoff at.

Good luck, SVU.

Thinker | 5:50 p.m. July 23, 2008

A new college in Nevada is just silly, same with Nauvoo. I served a mission in Nauvoo and the anti-Mormon culture in the surrounding area is mean and intense. Why would any college student want to deal with that for four years? Do one semester BYU "abroad" in Nauvoo and get the experience. The winters are horrible and it's like stepping back in time 50 years in the rural Midwest. We need to develop business leaders in college and they need work options during school -Nauvoo has none except singing with the missionaries, which is not work epxerience. Talk about culture shock. We have church institute programs so the LDS students can gather together. Moapa Valley offers few options for students in housing and wholesome opportunities. I lived in Vegas and was involved with singles wards, college activities and the institute program. No need to be isolated just to be next to fellow members. I made good quality friends within and outside of the church. In some ways it's easier for young adults to be involved with church and remain faithful in Vegas than in SLC where I have seen many friends who choose not to be involved anymore.

Wise One | 5:57 p.m. July 23, 2008

Just because a student didn't make it into BYU or chose not to go does not means choices for a good education and staying strong in the church is not attainable. Can't we move on from this mentality??

Wolverine | 6:04 p.m. July 23, 2008

BYU isn't necessarily the best choice for every student. AS for me, I loved my opportunities at Utah Valley University (UVSC at the time). I was active in LDS institute and active in school groups and community events. I loved it. I had great instructors. I had great friends. I don't see a need for more LDS schools. I would love to attend graduate school at a top ranked school in the East or California and I still intend to stay true to my faith. Go Wolverines!!!

I'd be happy | 6:06 p.m. July 23, 2008

with non-LDS friendly public schools in Utah first of all!!!

DISAPPOINTED | 6:16 p.m. July 23, 2008

All i know is Mormon people love grouping among themselves.Even the church location seems rather isolated.I mean here in my town .The members look secretive.What they do when knowing someone is trying to get him or her into the church.they will try hard to influence you in whatever way to convert.Their behaviour is like they are holy and the rest not standart with them.When they are not successful to influence you,they will finally leave you.So Mormon people is not sincere in frienship.Unless you join their church,they wont really care about you.I have observed this for along time.Once i interested about joining the church.Then it makes me scared to see strange behaviour among them.Now here in the comments sent i read and find out the truth i have known for so long.Why they always like grouping among themselves even up to university?This is a real world we all live.There are lots other things that need to be concerned.Talk alot about holy things is no use when you dont connect with the real thing God want us to do.Share the real love and sincere concern with each other without too concern with what faith other people hold.

Anonymous | 6:29 p.m. July 23, 2008

Wow the mormon education system won't take on new universities, my understanding is they would want to one up the prestiges catholic education system. This would have to do with budgeting and costs of the billion dollar mall in SLC? It sad when a community will build a shopping mall rather than sponsor a universtiy.

Ridgerunner | 6:59 p.m. July 23, 2008

Unless you have attended a secular institution of higher learning you may not appreciate what a breath of fresh air attending a church school can be. For example, in the facultly lounges of some of the major unversities in the land, it has been decided that God doesn't exist and that there is no such thing as moral behavior. It depends on what "is", is! And they want us to pay them to teach our children their drivel and call it an "education"? An education in what? For me, if at all possible, I will send my children to a church university or college so they can learn truth (in both science and religion)and not the philosophies of men!

LDS church will not support | 7:04 p.m. July 23, 2008

in my opinion the LDS church will not support these schools because it will have to use money to subsidize tuition and help the school grow. The LDS church hordes its money and only seems interested in investing in new church buildings and SLC businesses that will actually make them money. Religion is a business...and businesses try to make money, simple.

The Graduate | 7:29 p.m. July 23, 2008

Some might want to check out todays Moapa Valley, NV. They just built a golf course there and they are building a upscale community there. Check out Pardee Homes site.
I don't think the church wants to expand their campuses because of the financial burden they have from the existing campuses. Does anyone think about how much the church spends on retirement benefits?
I don't know for sure but I think education communities do well from students who get credit cards and also from money from government student loans. Whether they would qualify for the student loans at these academies is for others to find out.
Finally LDS young people from Las Vegas might like the opportunity to go to MV over UNLV in Las Vegas.

Artes Liberalis (or Liberal Arts | 8:02 p.m. July 23, 2008

Nazi Germany had a highly technically trained citizenry, and they called it education. Quite frankly, I am with Robert Hutchins, Jacques Barzun, and Mortimer Adler. We need a liberal arts education.

I am "not" against profs or textbooks, but they are so limiting, and are inclined towards spoon feeding, rather than thinking. A textbook lecture approach should be complimented with mentoring, discussion, research, and more.

There is nothing wrong with also studying the history of the development of thought within a subject area, along with the great minds that helped bring it to where it is today. It is often in revisiting those areas that a fresh new mind can see a flaw or bridge a gap and move us forward.

This may be hard for some of you to understand, but there are some students that go to college to learn and not because of a sports program or how many movie theaters and other attractions are in walking distance.

I would be interested in Nauvoo University. BTW it is open to all faiths and has LDS standards, which are Christian standards.

My Experience | 8:07 p.m. July 23, 2008

I posted as Artes Liberalis )Liberal Arts) above

I became LDS at the end of my senior year of high school(1973). I went to a state college for 3 semesters. While there a student "streaked" (naked) up and put a lei around the governor's neck when he came to speak at the school. Five out of six of my instructors were professed ex catholic and currently atheist. They wasted much class time droning on and on about it. My philosophy teacher thought it was cool to show an X rated movie to the class. Quite frankly, I grew tired of this "fully accredited" and "fully credentialed staff," . What a waste of tax payer money! What a facade! What a fraud! So, I transfered to BYU.

I loved being at BYU and able to discuss all sides of issues. Believe me, all BYU students are not alike. I loved being in an environment where students were there to learn and instructors were there to teach, rather than spew.

In my five years at BYU I never knew the political party of my instructors. Some were quite liberal.

John Lambert | 8:21 p.m. July 23, 2008

To Rich,
It is not a question of testimonies. It is very hard to be surrounded by people in college who drink and smoke all the time, whose main pass time is going to bars on weekends and so on.
There are institute programs and institute buildings. However these are not as abundant as they could be.
A University in Nauvoo would provide a unique chance to study the history of the Church, and could even become another possible depository for materials related to the history of the Church here in the midwest, not just in the early years but more recently.
I live in Metro Detroit. It is hard for people to go away to BYU or BYU-Idaho. It is a long way and many more things. I have known people who went to SVU and that is a good school, but it is not mid-western but sitting right where the East meets the South.
There are Catholic schools all across the nation and I see nothing wrong with there being more Mormon schools. I just hope they get started and get enough money so they can offer scholarships to inner city Chicago youths.

John Lambert | 8:26 p.m. July 23, 2008

To SRas,
I dislike the Utah-centric nature of your comments. The brethren have never encoraged people to send their children from elsewhere to schools in Utah.
We do not need a higher drag of faithful youth to Utah. We need centers for them closer to their own homes.

Anonymous | 8:32 p.m. July 23, 2008

It would be nice if people were all jacked up about the LDS mall and business ventures in downtown SLC than the dribble about LDS colleges. Come on folks lets get your priorities straight!

John Lambert | 8:33 p.m. July 23, 2008

To SV Who,
Why to you think LDS kids should have to chose between a BYU or a state school?
Most state schools are overly large, and have lots of classes that lack anything appraoching academic rigour.
What some students need is a chance to attend a small college. However few small colleges have enough students to form an institute. You end up either having to travel 30 miles one way to go to institute, or having an institue class with two students.
I applaud the people who are working on these schools for being forward looking and proactive.

John Lambert | 8:38 p.m. July 23, 2008

To Fear,
When you go to a school where you end up not being able to meet with a professor because you were a minute late getting to a door and they lock the doors of the building at 7:00 to avoid attacks on staff overnight, when you go to a school where in some months vihecle thefts have exceeded 100 and where when you greet someone by saying "hi" they look at you with abject fear maybe you will understand.
When you go to a school where they have put tighter regulations on who can get in the exercise section to cut down on drug dealing maybe you will understand.

Jess | 8:41 p.m. July 23, 2008

It is pioneer day and my parents and elders have explained the percectuion of my family and my faith. I have heard it loud and clear and if gwowing up in a self-victimized culture would mean sending my young ones to the Moapa Valley for an LDS education, well I would just say it is enough!

John Lambert | 8:46 p.m. July 23, 2008

To SVU dad,
I think your point is very well put. I do not mind huge classes too much, and I loved BYU, however it is definantly too big a college for some people.
I wish BYU would have some of its classes smaller. I also have to admit I never took as much advantage of office hours as I could have.
Different people have different needs, and if you do not like SVU or other such colleges it is your right. You do not have to support them in anyway.
However I think it is very rude of people to denigrate the efforts of the founders of SVU. These people exemplify being axiously engaged.
It may be more exprensive to go to SVU than BYU, but that is mainly because they do not have an outside institution helping them. I wish they could make it cheaper. However there are financial aid and other programs to help students there.
It is clearly not neccessary to attack a school that is trying to do good things.

John Lambert | 9:13 p.m. July 23, 2008

To Alex,
There is actually a group called "Acorn to Oak Foundation" that has the goal of starting an LDS related University in South America. Google it and see how far along they are.
I have no idea what the relative laws are, and a lot of other questions.

Anonymous | 9:34 p.m. July 23, 2008

To try and replecate the catholic tradition of education within the lds faith would be impossible. BYU like institutions would not survive outside of Das Utah or the Intermountain west. Nice try but fever and cutlure in the mormon is to far along to be credible outside the mountain states. The church leaders are wise not to expand beyond the region.

Just as a side note it would interesting to you all how BYU Hawaii came about and how the very valuable land came into the hands of the mormons while the Hawaians were spit upon in SLC and relocated in the west desert of utah. Interesting reading on church history if you are interested.

Why not Moapa | 9:51 p.m. July 23, 2008

It seems everyone who has a problem with Moapa is describing every reason why BYU_I should never have worked. What right minded 19 year old (oh and by the way most incoming freshman are 17-18) would want to go up into a frozen waste land of potato farms with no place to go and nothing to do, no temple, no access to malls, etc. Yet it thrives and the area continues to grow because the college is there. Moapa would be a perfect place for just such a place. And though I love the Gospel the "Church" can be a bit snobbish and self centered and those who don't fit the mold are often left completely out. For those who want an LDS experience but don't have the wealth and better than 4.0 grades who cannot get into BYU still deserve a decent education. And just because you go to an ivy league school is not guarantee of success.

Yes why not Moapa or Overton.... | 9:59 p.m. July 23, 2008

Exactley what is the LDS experience college experience. If it is what is produced out of the body of work from Provo, well I don't think we want to share that with the world. It makes us all look bad and well I don't think the church can take the strain of looking any worse.

hmmmm... | 10:22 p.m. July 23, 2008

How can two schools that will have around 1500 students each help?

Alex | 10:55 p.m. July 23, 2008

Why not Moapa?

Because you might as well go up the road for an hour to get to Dixie College with a large LDS population, or down the road to UNLV an hour, with a decent sized institute at UNLV.

Ultimately, the only reason why not, to me, is that the location doesn't offer anything to anybody outside of the local area. Nauvoo makes sense where you have an historic location and a temple nearby. There's a draw.

The hot and barren Moapa Valley, while it has nice people, cannot offer anything more than to say, "We keep LDS honor code standards." Until Y-like schools are selling like hotcakes, I don't see a college in Moapa Valley succeeding.

I don't mean to be a downer. Please prove me wrong. I really want small colleges like this to succeed, but frankly, Moapa is going to need (and I hope you get) a miracle. Our eyes meanwhile should be on SVU to see what they can do.

RE: Anonymous @9:34 | 10:54 p.m. July 23, 2008

Uh, so if BYU-like efforts wouldn't survive outside the Mountain West, just how do you explain BYU-Hawaii and SVU?

Also, I believe you're referring to the JAPANESE POW camps in Topaz, Utah? (A handful of Hawaiians may have been mistakenly included--always possible.) What's so "Church History" about deeply misguided individuals of whatever religious persuasion from whatever city mistreating the prisoners? And the Topaz camps were government-created facilities, not reflections of the LDS Church as a whole. That's roughly akin to trying to tie Guantanamo Bay to somebody's religion.

Checking your own facts and logic is always a good idea. Since you obviously haven't done either--no, I most certainly am not "interested." Nice try, though.

skeptical utah man | 10:55 p.m. July 23, 2008

on accreditation

Government accreditation does exist.

The regional accrediting bodies are organized under the guidance and authority of the Department of Education. They are funded by the government and accreditation evaluation is performed by government employees - usually highly qualified educational practitioner/researchers who have been vetted and trained by state agencies. I know this because I am vetted and trained in the current accreditation program. Government accreditation is a national network of practitioner/researchers. It exists.

Private accreditation also exists but has to be continually assessed by the Department of Education to prevent shady operations like diploma mills and fly by night name only universities.

I'm not saying SVU is a diploma mill. All I'm saying is that I'm skeptical about a school that has 98% admission, costs 25K per year, and markets itself as an LDS based institution but lacks church approval or endorsement.

Plus, the faculty send their kids to BYU when they can.

One More Time | 11:41 p.m. July 23, 2008

Moapa Valley is not barren. It is beautiful. Take the Logandale exit, drive five miles and enjoy. It is hot in the summer but has ideal weather the rest of the year. This valley has more talent per capita than any place I've ever seen...music, dance, drama, etc. And I went to BYU and have lived in Nashville and CA among other places. The community would expand to meet the needs of a college. I could add a lot more but mostly I want people to stop calling this place barren. When you drive through on the freeway, you do not see the valley.

Proud SVU GRAD | 5:04 a.m. July 24, 2008

Before attending SVU I attended two different state schools in Utah. Although these are two great institutions I can tell you the education I received at SVU was hands-down a better education. Between the small class sizes and the incredible professors I learned and retained a lot more than at the other schools. The education at SVU is comparable to graduate school. It is sad to see the comments of ignorant people who don't have a first hand experience of SVU. I'm sure they heard what they know from a disgruntled student. I'm willing to bet that if you were to poll students that attended SVU 95%+ would say they loved their experience. There is not a better place to prepare for a mission, receive an excellent LDS based education, and prepare to go to graduate/law/medical school. SVU is a wonderful institution that isn't perfect but is getting better each year. GO KNIGHTS!!!

metamoracoug | 6:12 a.m. July 24, 2008

OK. Yes. Mormons do need to get more involved in the world. But The problem with throwing an 18 year old into the life that exists on many college campuses is that their flegdling testimonies may not survive.

Lest we forget there are many Mormons -- much older I might add -- who are very active in world affairs, politics, medicine, business, science, etc. I should point out too that we had a Mormon presidential candidate who essentially lost because he was a Mormon (read: not Christian enough). And now everyone seems to be getting behind a fellow with Muslim background. Can someone explain that one to me?

Sheltering our youth is not the answer. Thus, in my mind, a university in Nauvoo is an excellent idea. Since I live in central Illinois, I know you can't swing a dead cat here without hitting a non-Mormon. It would be agreat experience for some of those sheltered UT kids to come see what it is like being a minority, but still have a strong University fellowship to fall back on.

Unbelievable | 6:26 a.m. July 24, 2008

It always amazes me how much controversy can come from a good thing. Who are we to try to dampen the hopes of those who are working hard to make these learning institutions happen? Has there ever been an LDS based college in Moapa Valley or Nauvoo? Then how do we know that they won't succeed? Those who assume Moapa Valley is a barren wasteland obviously do not have to attend this college and/or send their children, or their support, there.

Why don't we, as a people, stand up and be more controversial about things that are really hurting our country, ourselves and our children? Why don't we use these same energies to fight against pornography, abuse and other evils? We should be thrilled that these men and women and using their time and resources to make more institutions that will help teach the rising generation(s) the importance of righteous values and integrity.

For what it is worth, I am in favor of it. Good luck and may the Lord bless you for your efforts.

CTLDS | 6:41 a.m. July 24, 2008

Many comment on the need to get out of your comfort zone. We moved to the East Coast to give our family the opportunity to grow up in a diverse culture and our kids the chance to stand out with other good people by having high morals.

We have a son at BYU and a missionary that went to SVU. They both went to the right school and neither would thrive at the other's univerisity.

We don't have to seek out the bad for diversity's sake. Our activity rate for kids going to local colleges/unis is pretty low while the alcohol and drug usage rates for these schools is pretty high. I've also noticed that few local students drive the hour or two to Institue or church just as few instututions of higher learning also teach higher morals.

I'm glad my kids can matriculate in a morally comfortable zone and enjoy the experience of knowing lots of kids with similar beliefs.

Moapa neighbor | 7:07 a.m. July 24, 2008

(Too many entries to read them all, so this may be redundant.)

Many posts assume that there is only one right answer, and all students should/shouldn't need such a school. This one-size-fits-all approach dooms its authors to readily objectionable positions, thus not helpful to the discourse. Individual results may vary, but this part-member family child, after partying in 2 more highly accredited schools (chosen precisely because BYU was a "Mickey Mouse church school"), transferred to Happy Valley--before it's scholastics or sports were a blip on the radar. A mission, temple marriage, and life of trying I attribute largely to educating my soul when I needed it, accreditation be damned, at the Mickey Mouse church school. Most of my kids didn't need Happy Valley like I did, but some did. And I will no doubt guide some of my grandkids to Happy Valley II up the road in Moapa, if I can. No education of the mind is more important than the education of a student's soul. But if your student can take advantage of Harvard, and thrive in the diversity (which many can), go for it. Please just remember one size does not fit all.

RE: metamoracoug | 7:16 a.m. July 24, 2008

With all due respect, metamoracoug--you read the papers, right? Barack Obama IS NOT Muslim. The news media have been falling all over themselves the past few months explaining that. He has attended Christian churches nearly all his life as a religious believer.

Just because he has an Arabic-sounding name doesn't make him Muslim. By the same absurd logic, someone could argue that Joseph Smith the Florida serial killer must have been LDS, too. No connection in either case.

I'm not exactly sure what else needs to be explained about that.

To metamoracoug @ 6:12 | 7:34 a.m. July 24, 2008

I'm confused--you say both that LDS youth need sheltering and that they shouldn't be sheltered?

My take: While our youth face substantial challenges, and many are struggling (I don't want to minimize that), we need to give the strong among them credit for being able to recognize truth and error when they see it.

The strong among our youth would certainly benefit from an LDS-themed college, if not make the atmosphere even stronger. It's a wonderful environment, true. HOWEVER, they would also thrive and do much good at one of those supposedly corrupt and evil state universities. They might even be an example of a strong, upstanding LDS person there, having plenty of opportunity to share the Gospel with others--and there ARE listening ears out there.

Far, FAR from all secular college students are evil. (Did you really, seriously call them wastes of a human life earlier? Are you sure you mean that?)

I have family members--faithful in the church--who found for themselves that BYU wasn't where they were needed. They learned and taught the Gospel at secular universities instead.

It's not always about surrounding yourself with the like-minded. Sometimes you mature more when you're one of the few.

hurst5 | 8:03 a.m. July 24, 2008

My husband and I are raising a family in an area of the country where Young Men's and Young Women's programs struggle due to low numbers. Seminary is early morning and, frankly, a challenge. Our kids have solid testimonies, but they have felt the loneliness that comes from making unpopular, but righteous, choices. Many parents in our situation are thrilled when their students qualify to attend BYU and have the opportunity, for the first time in their lives, to learn and live with large numbers of LDS youth who share their beliefs and values. I do not see the desire to attend an LDS-oriented college as a sign of weakness in testimony or lack of preparation for the real world. Rather, the college years can be the most crucial in preparing young people to confidently go anywhere in the world to live, work, and serve. For parents looking for an alternative to BYU, Utah Valley University offers many excellent programs in an environment that is largely supportive of LDS values and a lot less expensive than SVU. Students attend student wards with BYU students and enjoy a great institute program.

Artes Liberalis (or Liberal Arts | 8:31 a.m. July 24, 2008

To: Skeptical Man in Utah

Sorry, you have lost all credibility to me.

I went to the US Department of Education Office of Post Secondary Education site- Us Department of Education Database of Accredited Post Secondary Institutions and Programs. The site specifically states it does not accredit educational institutions.

"The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. The U.S. Secretary of Education also recognizes State agencies for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education and State agencies for the approval of nurse education."

Nauvoo Resident | 9:20 a.m. July 24, 2008

YEAH!!! This is the perfect thing for Nauvoo! It will increase business in the winter and housing for the summer. The Board of Directors and Educators are all first class. May God bless your endeavors a hundred fold!

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