Davidson trustees study, but stop short of relaxing church connection

By David Boraks

After a year of study, Davidson College trustees have affirmed the college’s current relationship with the Presbyterian Church USA. The decision to maintain the status quo came despite a push by some alumni, trustees and others in the college community to relax the rules. The decision means that at least for now, the college won’t change its requirement that the president be a Presbyterian.

In a statement Wednesday morning, Davidson College Board of Trustees Chair Mackey McDonald said a trustee-appointed Committee on Church-Relatedness supported keeping the current policies and church connection. He wrote:

“The committee has concluded that Davidson’s distinctiveness is real and genuine, and Davidson’s church-relatedness has been a significant contributing factor to that distinctiveness.

Mackey said the board:

Reaffirmed the Statement of Purpose and the continued voluntary relationship between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Davidson College.
Acknowledged that there are differing views among the Trustees with regard to the Presidential Bylaw and recognized that there does not exist sufficient support for any particular change to it.
Will ensure that appropriate methods are in place to engage with the college community on an ongoing basis about the college’s faith heritage and relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA).