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

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'Mormon-friendly' colleges planned for Nevada, Nauvoo

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CrimsonUte | 11:51 a.m. July 23, 2008

If you're LDS and your primary concern is a spiritual environment, go to any university with a thriving institute program. If you also want to meet a lot of other LDS students, just about any school in Utah, and a number of schools outside it, will provide that. The University of Utah and Utah State are both excellent schools in this regard.

Alex | 11:49 a.m. July 23, 2008

"Go USU":

I've heard a lot of good things about and have good friends that went to USU.

Let Bright Utahns go Elsewhere | 11:54 a.m. July 23, 2008

(1) Talented LDS students from Utah ought to be discouraged from enrolling at BYU. Let them seek out, and make their presence felt, in excellent universities elsewhere.

(2) It seems unlikely that there are now enough academically gifted Mormons to justify a fifth LDS-themed university: the result is likely to be serious dilution of quality.

(3) But there is one gap that needs filling. There is no proven LDS university focusing on the liberal arts. BYU is steadily jetissoning liberal arts in favor of a utilitarian, career-training approach. If Southern Virginia can develop into a genuinely strong university whose students actually come to know literature, mathematics, science, philosophy, and history (as opposed to advertising, public relations, and home economics), then that would be a welcome development, and the relatively few talented students with genuine academic interests ought to prefer it to BYU.

Most young people--Mormons and otherwise--who go to university have no interest in academic things. It's a shame that employers' irrational demand of a college degree forces them to go to college, and dilutes the experience of the few who really have serious academic interests. But oh well.

Comments continue below

Alex | 12:02 p.m. July 23, 2008

pansiepearl:

"What ever happened to allowing indiviuals their own choice of eduation as well as providing choices? Let each person choose how, where and why they wish to learn. If it is to be LDS based or secular that's THEIR choice. "

When was it ever NOT their choice?

Joshuall | 12:13 p.m. July 23, 2008

all ya nay sayers .... quit yer whinin !

WalkerBD1 | 12:15 p.m. July 23, 2008

To all the people who try to act like Mormons are trying to seperate themselves from the real world...get real. I've been LDS my whole life and have been raised in Utah, Arizona, New York, Japan, Minnesota, and California. In my 28 years I've been the minority in most of my school. In Japan me and my three brothers where the only LDS members there. I myself don't ever plan to go to a church ran school, but I understand people who want to. Heck my father went to one and he isn't now or ever was a member, he went to get an education. Besides, he loved the outdoors and skiing so Utah seemed like a good place to go. So my piont is the real world is all around us no matter what school you go to, church ran or not. Also never try to make it seem like mormans try to seperate themselfs from others. It is a world wide church.

Walker......

Good Thinking | 12:18 p.m. July 23, 2008

Now they'll be 2 more colleges producing socially retarded students who have know idea what is going on outside of their little world. Mormons are funny people. Good Luck

Part 1 of 3 | 12:23 p.m. July 23, 2008

Can someone explain why one who follows a set of principles, is sober and morally clean considered to be someone not able to think for themselves or someone who blindly follows their leaders versus someone who is drunk or high on something and creating posterity before marriage considered someone who is free and able to think for themselves? Conservative or liberal they are two points of opinion. Liberals think conservatives shove their opinion down their throats and likewise the other direction because the other doesnï¿½t agree with their point of view.

Part 2 of 3 | 12:23 p.m. July 23, 2008

Iï¿½m sure BYU is a great school, however I never went there. My high school GPA was 3.4. Whether that was high enough or not I donï¿½t know. But donï¿½t think that makes me a flunkie either. Through out the country there are institute buildings that provide an individual to strengthen his spirit while at the same time being able to be strengthened by secular areas. This individual may be influenced by peers from either side while at the same time influencing either side by choices he makes.

Part 3 of 3 | 12:24 p.m. July 23, 2008

Growing up outside or inside Utah does not a better member make. Each have different experiences and some experiences that arenï¿½t so different. While the one may be the only member and have to stand for there beliefs to those who ridicule them. The other may still have to stand for his beliefs to those who ridicule him even though he is surrounded by members who donï¿½t necessarily follow guidelines set forth in their membership. There is nothing wrong with wanting to associate with those of similar beliefs. Liberals hang out with liberals, conservative hang out with conservatives, people of faith within their various denominations and likewise those without faith. Doesnï¿½t necessarily mean the one is shunning the other and is trying to be unkind or intolerant of the other unless they really are trying to do this. All I think this means is that we are all human beings, but that each person is unique.

One question???? | 12:27 p.m. July 23, 2008

Why even go to a university when the thinking has been done for you already?

BYUTarheel | 12:35 p.m. July 23, 2008

I went to both BYU and UNC - Chapel Hill. BYU was great because there were 10,000+ single LDS women to meet. There is nothing wrong with wanting a pool of potential mates to date during your college years. UNC was great also, though I was married by the time I went there. The education was top-notch, the sports were fun to watch. But if I had been looking for a wife, the pickings would have been slimmer, even with a good institute program that catered to both UNC and Duke students. Let people choose what they want. It's their life. Don't judge them because they want something different from you.

BTW - I've been impressed with what I have seen of SVU. It has come a long way in 10 or 12 years. Check back in another 10 or 12 years and it will probably have all the appropriate accredidations. It doesn't happen overnight.

Moapa Valley decendant | 12:41 p.m. July 23, 2008

As a decendant of the second wave of people ordered to settle Moapa Valley (the first were ordered by BY to settle there, then ordered by him to leave and lose everything), I see this as great news.

Whith a BYU-lite style jr college, Moapa Valley may get a Burger King to come back in the valley (the first one went out of business.) And we might even get a movie theater too so we don't have to drive all the way to Mesquite!!! And maybe even a dominos pizza, woot woot.

K | 12:52 p.m. July 23, 2008

Why must the schools only appeal to LDS? Anyone can go to Notre Dame or other Catholic schools. Yes taking 2 religion classes (if you are an undergrad) can deter some people but there are choices like world religion, etc.... You don't have to convert or anything. Just be able to answer questions about the material. Do non LDS go to BYU now? As a Catholic with many choices in schools faith based and not I always wondered why a religion with so many people only had one faith based school to choose from, and some branch schools?

The majority of colleges and universities are way too liberal. Yes, you have to deal with other opinions your whole life but that's not the point. Some don't want to listen to one point of view or that particular point of view every day for years until graduation. The choice of a less liberal college may attract nonmembers and help the school keep good financial balance. Perhaps not immediately, but at some point in the future.

Regent on the east coast is a newer institution and is respected in the job market. New doesn't mean bad.

To Bright Utahns... | 12:50 p.m. July 23, 2008

I am interested in all of those liberals subjects you mentioned, but I obtained a degree in accounting. Does this mean I'm not academically gifted?

I enjoy studying a lot of different things, but I tire of being considered inferior because I chose to obtain a degree that would help me with a career. I read books on history. I read classic literature. I enjoy a good philosophical debate. I didn't have to major in any of those areas to enjoy them.

oh no | 12:54 p.m. July 23, 2008

I am an academic. Have been for many years. Not a Mormon. Never, ever heard of svu. HMMMMMMMMM.

Steve8 | 12:54 p.m. July 23, 2008

It's much better to integrate then to segregate. Mormons should try to play a part in influencing the world rather then take another step in segregating themselves in separate colleges and universities. BYU is fine, but let's do more to encourage participation in colleges and universities where students of many faiths study together. Mormon students should participate in institute programs but also get exposed to alternative views as well as share our own views with others. Graduates will ultimately be stronger and more capable if they've studied in a culturally and religiously diverse environment. That's my experience.

Anonymous | 12:57 p.m. July 23, 2008

I think we need to have a little more faith in our youth and their power to act and not be acted upon while attending secular schools.

Christ asked us to be lights unto the world and our institute programs and university/singles wards are sufficient to keep our youngsters grounded while they influence their schools for much needed good.

I personally witnessed literally a couple dozen solid people join the church while I was a student at a University of California campus. I also had the opportunity to represent our faith to dozens of friends and acquaintances (including more than a few of my professors) who didn't take interest in the gospel, but now think highly of our church and our membership because they have a close friend who is LDS.

lost in DC | 1:07 p.m. July 23, 2008

sad to see so few have recognized the obvious solution. the church has established institutes of religion at most colleges across the country for those who choose not to attend church sponsored schools

HarryL | 1:08 p.m. July 23, 2008

I think beyond any notions of indoctrination or contamination issues if a person does not go to a Church school, the matter of education is really what this is all about. My feeling is that the Church has schools to keep its members focused on education, living up to its mission and desire for everyone to achieve an adequate and ongoing education, and does what it can to achieve this. For those who are stuck in LDS Church society with a fear of going outside of it, and I can understand why someone might feel that way, and appreciate it, the Church offers a possible way of being able to get an education with the least amount of 'fear.' Regardless, an education at BYU is going to be different and I see that as a positive. I have three (often regarded as meaningless) AA degrees from California community colleges and a BA degree from UC Berkeley in Philosophy and Political Science. I have attended grad school at a California State University, graduated from Institute, and held onto my testimony and activity in the Church. Though once accepted, but I declined to go, I would still love to attend BYU.

To K | 1:24 p.m. July 23, 2008

Yes, anyone can go to BYU or any of the LDS based schools. These students likewise will have to take religion courses, but don't have to convert or anything. The LDS based schools just provide a place for someone who is a member to not have to argue with people as to whether or not they believe in Christ or are Christian. Also, provides at an atmosphere where you shouldn't have to put up with all the peer pressures like drinking and being high on something or creating posterity before marriage. LDS students have the same choices as to where to go to school as anyone else.

Anonymous | 1:31 p.m. July 23, 2008

What is so unusual about centering students around their faith-based schools? I live in an area with the Evangel University, Baptist Bible College and Graduate School, Drury University (founded by Congregational home missionaries), and that's not including the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

That's just the university level. I couldn't even guess how many church-owned elementary and secondary schools there are here. And that is LDS owned. Catholic, Assembly of God, and Baptist schools predominate.

So I ask: Why shouldn't LDS students study together?

To Alex again | 1:36 p.m. July 23, 2008

In reply to the 9:23 posting--no problem, I actually agree with ya. I went to BYU, too, and saw no problem with being "prepared for the real world" in terms of academic material.

I also went to a state university for grad work, and pretty much the biggest things I had to learn were that drinking was an accepted part of mainstream American college life and that sexuality was construed as no big deal among many people--thankfully not all. (Yes, I grew up in Utah.) :) So there was a little culture shock. But academically, I was certainly up to speed.

I think the "BYU-grads-not-prepared-for-real-world" crowd often places more importance in the cultural difference than is really necessary. And sometimes a few of us BYU grads have been too sanctimonious and/or not sufficiently charitable about those differences. We don't have to applaud them--just be patient and kind while our brothers/sisters figure out they're not making good choices.

So we all have our problems to work with. But I don't regret going to BYU any more than a Catholic would regret going to Notre Dame. I'm sure future graduates of these new schools will say similar things.

soakblue | 1:47 p.m. July 23, 2008

To the George Wythe College believers, check out the Wikipedia article on DeMille. As far as these new colleges, I wish them the best. It takes a tremendous effort to start up a new (credible) institution.

Party Time! | 1:51 p.m. July 23, 2008

Looks like we have a couple of new potential BCS busters.

A Seminary Teacher | 1:54 p.m. July 23, 2008

I'm a strong proponent of a religious education - and feel I accomplished that by attending institutes at a state school and in an East Coast graduate school. The church has worked very hard to make institute available worldwide.Students can keep the BYU honor code and attend institute no matter where they go to school. They need to develop their unique academic gifts while minimizing debt. That's often best done at a mega public university - Ohio State, Texas, the UC's etc. We have nothing to fear from our great private and secular universities.

caffeine anyone? | 1:59 p.m. July 23, 2008

re: metamoracoug | 9:06 a.m. July 23, 2008

>>In ten years we'll retire and would delight to teach some sober students. My wife taught at Bradley two years. If students showed up for class, who knows what interesting concoction of neurotoxins they were under the influence of. Give me a flunkie LDS student to one of these wastes of a human life any day.<<

Its all about Life, Liberty, & the pursuit of happiness no matter how misguided. For example, Metamora, Your judgmental attitude makes my skin crawl or maybe its the neurotoxins surging through my bloodsteam.

LeeAnn (Anonymous 2 above) | 2:02 p.m. July 23, 2008

I was Anonymous a couple of comments up. I just noticed a major ommission of mine. In the 2nd to last paragraph, I said, "And that is LDS owned." Incorrect. I needed an editor! It should have said, "And that is *not* LDS owned."

Oops!

LeeAnn | 2:06 p.m. July 23, 2008

To Soak Blue: There is quite a following out here in the Midwest for Thomas Jefferson Education as delineated by Oliver DeMille. I've read Wikipedia too, but his ideas are sound. Judge after you investigate, please.

DH | 2:14 p.m. July 23, 2008

I'm LDS...I like it... Hm... I made the decision to follow, therefore, not blind. Some people need direction you know...

James | 2:14 p.m. July 23, 2008

To: Skeptical Utah Man
Re: Accreditation

There is no such thing as government accreditation at the federal level. The association that oversees accreditation for SVU, AALE, is approved by the U.S. Department of Education in the same manner as the regional organizations like the NCA. BYU and Utah are both accredited through regional and professional bodies which require DoEd approval just like the AALE Last year they did have a political difference with a powerful group, National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, that is pushing a strictly statistical approach for evaluating Higher Education. This resulted in sanctions that were revoked by the DOE upon review.

Your complaint about accepting "life Experience" for credit is also a little off base. Students can prepare and submit a portfolio demonstrating knowledge gained from work and other experiences. That portfolio is evaluated to determine what, if any credit is given. This is a little different than taking a directed study course but not much conceptually.

Wikipedia Credible? | 2:29 p.m. July 23, 2008

Soakblue, LeeAnn: Wikipedia is written by anonymous authors with unverified credentials on a variety of simple-to-complex subjects. Facts are checked only as other authors review them, and errors can be introduced again after being removed.

In other words, Wikipedia is only slightly more credible than this comment board.

If you (esp. soakblue) want to refer people to an authoritative source, the official DeMille website would be a better choice.

Anonymous | 2:31 p.m. July 23, 2008

There go the neighborhoods!!!

Artemesia | 2:32 p.m. July 23, 2008

Why would anyone want to go to Moapa for a Mormon experience when UNLV just over the hill has one of the best (if not the best) institute program in the country. This probably isn't about religion, it's about phony balony right wing academics.

Weber Man | 2:33 p.m. July 23, 2008

I think the church has it right, there are a few options for students that want to attend LDS owned schools, but the rest should attend wherever it makes sense for them. I was admitted to BYU out of high school but chose Weber State because of proximity, scholarship, and programs. Somehow I managed to serve a mission and get married in the temple despite not going to a church owned school. I even met my wife because I was in a fraternity and she was in a sorority!

There are positive and negative environments at every school. Teach your students to seek out places of light and avoid the appearance of evil, no matter where they are.

By the way, Weber gave me as good an education and experience as anywhere else, if not better.

Hmmm??? | 2:51 p.m. July 23, 2008

I like SVU. I thought it was a great idea and from my observations it appears to have done a good job. Do I think it will work in NV and IL? We'll have to see. But who really wants to encourage their children to earn a degree that will be worth very little in the real world. I am not a fan of liberal arts schools. You pay way to much and get little in return. Just my two cents

Ronald A. Young | 2:54 p.m. July 23, 2008

Would that be a thinning out of the population and cause a Brain Drain or what. Everyone will know you went to the "other school." A lot of Social Filters come along with going to one of the Y's. Parents want their kids to be socially filtered and the Kids might want to go to School with like minded people. A good Education at a non party, non spring break school, with an understanding of the culture and sub culture is a good thing for some. Some can wait to get as far away form it as soon as possible while still getting their education.

South Florida | 3:07 p.m. July 23, 2008

I believe the intent of establishing such (LDS-based)schools is to provide the young adult members with a quality educational experience in an ENVIRONMENT that upholds the tenants of our faith. I attended BYU-Provo, however utlimately received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from quality Catholic institutions (because of geographical circumstance). I have had the opportunity to experience both environments and now teach college myself. It is unfortunate to witness the (subtle?) dearth of standards on so many campuses - reasonable dress codes, foul language, smoking (even in open areas), alcohol binging parties, etc. Let's get real and admit that if we send our children to the secular institutions (because perhaps they did not receive acceptance to BYU) and they do not like the "wordly" environment they are immersed in (if you've ever spent the evening surrounded by offensive drunks, putrid cigarette smoke, rampant foul mouths and the like, you know what I mean), the response would most likely be to get thee hastily to a school that offers a standards-based environment. Therefore, it is NOT that we LDS want to segregate ourselves from the world, but rather expand the (educational) options available to our young adults. Much success in these endeavors!!!

SS | 3:12 p.m. July 23, 2008

Don't think either program will fly, but Nauvoo has a better chance with the LDS love affair with the place (been there, definitely worth the visit, but not the mosquitos). Went to lutheran university, was taught that Christ's miracles in the Bible were stories only, and didn't really happen. A real eye-opener, but otherwise loved it. Didn't go to institute, had to work. Still served a mission and married in the temple. So, everyone has their own path, and if it is in the barren wasteland that is Moapa, or the UNC/Duke institute, so be it. To each their own. And going to an LDS or LDS-themed university does not guarantee morality, mission, temple or anything else. We are all mortal, we all have weaknesses, and deal with the same issues, LDS or not.

soakblue | 3:16 p.m. July 23, 2008

Re LeeAnn and Wikipedia Credible?

Fortunately, the wikipedia article is based almost entirely on the official GWC history anyway, only it takes the added step of applying a logical timeline based on DeMille's age (which an investigator had to obtain from an independent source). I have been to the GWC campus, read TJEd, read the history, listened to some of DeMille's speeches, weighed it all in the balance, and then rejected it. The whole thing makes me sick. Be careful, you homeschoolers using TJEd as a foundation are damaging your kids futures. Wake up. And I am not against homeschooling.

Alex | 3:16 p.m. July 23, 2008

Artemesia:

I am from Las Vegas and I agree wholeheartedly that UNLV has an excellent institute program. All power to UNLV.

That said, I left Las Vegas to go to BYU because I was already well "aware" of that "real world" as they say. Don't get me wrong. I like Las Vegas. However, I wanted to go to someplace different for the first time in my life, and you know what? I enjoyed it.

Now I am not a big fan of the Moapa Valley, but I think I understand why one might choose to go there.

And another thing, they weren't that political at BYU in my experience. I don't think people would go to Moapa for the politics, but I could imagine them going there to escape the politics.

Well... | 3:33 p.m. July 23, 2008

I guess if they can come up with the money and support to run and maintain the schools, the best of luck to them....

One size doesn't fit all... | 3:33 p.m. July 23, 2008

I got my bachelor's degree at BYU but have also attended UVSC and the University of Washington and am now finishing up a master's degree the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Each school has different strengths and weaknesses and no school is automatically right for everybody. I cherish my BYU education, including the emphasis on integrating spirituality into all aspects of life, but I have found a lot of respect for my beliefs at the other schools, too (I've found that respect is mostly a matter of give and take). Every school offers opportunities for academic and spiritual growth; ultimately students need to pick the one most likely to give them the education and experience they feel is right for them. I'm glad to hear that students will have two more options to choose from.

Ernest T. Bass | 3:40 p.m. July 23, 2008

Well, there will be two more schools this Mormon parent would never send my children to.

So. Virginia--not accredited | 4:01 p.m. July 23, 2008

FYI: SVU was not accredited...so students who couldn't afford to continue going there (extremely expensive) lost any credit they had earned when they attempted to enroll at accredited institutions.

There are several state schools that offer such an experience. No need to build a new one.

Consider expanding BYU-Idaho. Put your money there.

Alex | 4:13 p.m. July 23, 2008

"Well, there will be two more schools this Mormon parent would never send my children to. "

Thats fine. It really all depends on what its goals are and what accreditation it can garner. I think that they should start as low-cost junior colleges, push hard for accreditation, and then move up from there. It will take some time, but it is possible. The only thing I would suggest for the Nauvoo school is that they plan the campus up on the bluff, not next to the Mississippi. It gets terribly muggy next to the water there, more so than on the banks.

To: Hmmmmmmm? | 4:20 p.m. July 23, 2008

You're unable (you write) to comprehend the value of a liberal education.

I suppose most people agree with you.

I don't; for me, a liberal education is priceless. It would be nice if there were a Mormon university that focused on it, and allowed those who want something else -- job training -- to go somewhere else.

But let's not call that someplace else 'a university'.

Relocated Southerner | 4:20 p.m. July 23, 2008

Ernest T. Bass -- What would you do if your children wanted to go to these (or any other) LDS-based schools? Would you deny them that choice?

Everyone else -- With regard to "Church-based schools", what makes the LDS Church any different from other faith-based schools insofar as the right of their members to attend a school where others share similar values and ideals? And who is anyone to say where anyone should attend school? It's a personal choice wherever one decides to attend school. My son wanted to attend BYU but didn't get into the specific program he wanted, so he opted to go to USU, where my daughter chose to go over BYU. Both love USU, but had my son gone to BYU, that wouldn't have bothered me either. (And my daughter most definitely did NOT want to attend BYU.) Anyway, both are active LDS, and where they chose to go to school, for whatever reason, was their choice as long as we could afford it.

I don't understand why people here get so bent out of shape when the LDS Church or the desires and actions of its members is brought up.

Liberal Education | 4:25 p.m. July 23, 2008

Is there one person out there who values liberal education?

Or do you want our universities to be strictly a place to prepare students for a specific career?

If there's ONE PERSON in favor of liberal education, I'll be astonished.

Moapa Resident | 4:26 p.m. July 23, 2008

Talk about ignorant...barren wasteland that is Moapa? Most likely the school would be located in Logandale or Overton so if you don't like green fields, palm trees and beautiful red mesas, then stay away.

And as for Moapa Valley Descendant, we have had a movie theater for a long time and there is a Dominos Pizza also, not to mention lots more. There is a very large stake in this valley and a high school with a fabulous reputation. We took state in football last year and the only band in the state that is larger is UNLV. This is a classy place and I have lived a lot of other places so I know.

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