Dr. Klouda on the record [updated]
Jan 25th, 2007 | By art rogers | Category: SBCABP has posted two stories by Hannah Elliot concerning the issue of Sheri Klouda’s dismissal from SWBTS.
There are several things that are significant about these two stories.
First, Dr. Klouda speaks for herself and there can now be no insinuation that those telling her story are misrepresenting the situation. As she overtly contradicts the claim that she was never promised tenure, if SWBTS’ Faculty or Trustees wish to deny this point they must call her a liar. Read what she says and judge for yourself if she is.
Second, Dr. Klouda has affirmed that everything in the original story on Wade Burleson’s blog which denies the claim by Trustee Chairman, Van McClain, that the story was “full of inaccuracies.”
Thirdly, her interview affirms the hardships on her family as a result her being forced out of SWBTS. Untold before is the reality that her daughter has born a hardship of resentment because the action was so “unfair.”
Fourthly, and finally, the articles affirm that SWBTS’ accrediting agencies, SACS and ATS, have been contacted about gender discrimination. It has yet to be determined whether or not the agencies would consider the religious exemption worthwhile in this situation.
Read them both:
Sheri Klouda surprised at fallout…
Accrediting agencies asked to probe…
[update Friday, January 26, 2007 9:30 pm]
MSNBC has picked up the story and has some first hand words from Dr. Klouda:
Professor: Seminary ousted her over gender
Five things of note in this article:
- Dr. Klouda again states that Dr. Patterson once affirmed her position was secure, upon which knowledge she bought a house, and thereafter he reversed what he told her, denying her tenure.
- Van McClain states that the Seminary has, by eliminating women teaching in the theology department, returned to its “traditional, confessional and Biblical position.” Returning, he claims, from “relaxed parameters.” The problem with this, of course is that women teaching at Southwestern has never been a specific “tradition” at Southwestern – I don’t remember it ever discussed in my time there and neither does any other alumnus with whom I have spoken; and it is certainly not specifically confessional nor is it specifically Biblical. The Seminary is not the church and professors aren’t pastors. The only way to justify that statement is to completely eisegete the BFM and to strictly interpret 1 Tim. 2:12 so that women must be in submission to men well outside the local church, which is a return to a particular part of historical culture, but not one necessarily contained in the text as a prescription. To be sure, it is a tight interpretation and not one agreed upon in consensus. *I note here, in full disclosure, that I frequently say that being in the majority does not make you right, and that applies here as well. It is, of course, juxtaposed against a certain group who claims to represent the majority opinion on almost everything under discussion within the SBC. On this issue, it is ironic that they clearly are NOT in the majority as they hold a view of submissive women far outside the church/family parameters into academic institutions. This is not, it seems, a majority view. That is only something to note because they so often hang their hats on the claim of majority.
- Van McClain’s claim that Dr. Klouda was SIMPLY denied tenure as are so many other professors throughout America rings especially hollow if she was indeed told that she would be terminated. She says that the timeline was one that had a finish date that varied from conversation to conversation and always moved forward in time, ending finally in 2006.
- Van McClain’s claim that, “The seminary went far beyond anything that could be expressed as its duty or responsibility” is equally as hollow considering the financial burden the family incurred based on a promise of security from Paige Patterson and the loss of everything from tenure years, equity in their home, decreased pay and insurance benefits for her family, the patriarch of which has a heart condition and is unable to work steadily.
- Finally, Dr. Klouda leaves open the possibility of action against the school. It seems that once again the school is left vulnerable.
[/update]
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What a tangled web…
Thanks for the info Art.
Art,
This whole thing seems so unnecessary: SWBTS could have made changes to their policies and procedures that would have allowed them to move in the direction they so clearly wish to go. Changing the rules while working with Dr. Klouda to see that she wasn’t victimized by the new direction would not have been difficult; the Trustees have the authority to do that.
It is almost as if the SWBTS leadership went out of their way to create problems. How much easier it would be just to announce to the world they intend to represent the uber-conservative, dispensational wing of the SBC; but then, that might challenge the cherished belief their views are the norm.
Bowden,
Well said.
Art,
Does this mean the Chairman may be guilty of publishing a falsehood? If so, did someone enlist him to do so? Will he now withdraw his statement? Will he give Wade the minutes from the meeting wherein Dr. Klouda was voted to her position? Will he do the right thing by the Klouda family?
So many questions, so little time to answer. June is coming. The “boys of summer” will meet “down by the river” in San Antonio.
cb
P.S. Maybe we could say: There is so little time. Jackson is coming.
Well,
It’s obvious that the APB stories are “filled with inaccuracies.” As are the BP story and the Dallas Morning News and Wade’s blog and Art’s blog. Puleeez.
It looks like “filled with inaccuracies” is becoming a synonym for “statements from Van McClain.”
Marty…
And Bingo was his name-o.
BSC
Kevin you are right!
What tangled webs we weave when we incorrectly interpret and apply God’s Word.
We say women may not teach men. (Unless she teaches men under the authority of her husband?)
We say to a person’s face you are great, do not worry, your job is safe. (Then the next day we change the locks on their office door or do not allow them any students or courses to teach)
We collect monies for missions then spend them on first class air fare, hotel accomodations, meals for executives who seem to care more about their standing in the convention and little or less about those they are supposed to be trying to reach or teach or lead. When an executive is dismissed for misuse of funds, we give them a half million reward for leaving.
Tangled web? I think not. A web is an engineering marvel designed by one of God created life forms. I no longer so sure what role the hand of God had in the design of the Southern Baptist Convention of today.
Where and how is Jesus the Christ’s second commandment applied within the SBC today?
Mac McFatter
Bowden,
Probably the most profound comment on this situation thus far.
Mac,
Not everything SBC is “bad.” I don’t think we should “toss the baby out with the bath water,” to use another colloquialism. What does need to go, however, needs to go quickly.
What happened to Dr. Klouda was deplorable. This must be stated first. However, I have one question and this might be the elephant in the room — how much of Cole’s reaction is because he is appalled at what happened to Dr. Klouda and how much of it is really an attempt at revenge against the Patterson’s. I think this must be asked and answered.
I usually delete anonymous comments that implicate other people’s character- no matter who they are. I have even done so in defense of Tom Hatley last year, and any consistent reader will know how little I agreed with him.
It so happens that the ip address of the above comment is from inside SWBTS, so I am going to grant the least little bit of leeway here, realizing someone’s job or academic career may be in jeopardy.
So, Anonymous, here is your answer:
Ben’s opinion of the Drs. Patterson is no secret. He posts it daily on his own blog, Baptist Blogger.
He also was a classmate of Dr. Klouda when she was a struggling mom trying to make it through Criswell College. He has personally expressed great admiration for her.
To assume it is one and not the other reveals that you have a predisposition regarding what Ben Cole does and his motivations. When others seem to have such a predisposition regarding certain SBC leaders, they are vilified.
Which brings us to this question: What is your motivation? Why didn’t you just email him yourself?
Art-
You must’ve skipped mine.
Marty,
He never responds to mine since I trash talked his truck.
cb
Marty & CB,
You got the response that was appropriately measured – the exact one merited. ;)
Anonymous,
One more question: Why would Ben want revenge for being fired from a minimum wage job as a grader? I’ve been fired three times in my life, and all from jobs where I made much more money than Ben. I was upset on all three occasions and felt that they were unfair, but I don’t need revenge. So if not for being fired, why does Ben need revenge? More likely, could it be something other than revenge that motivates Ben?
I can answer that for you, at least in part. Ben has told me exactly what motivates him. I am not at liberty to reveal his personal motives – ask him, he just might tell you – but I can tell you revenge is the farthest thing from his mind.
I know the motivation for all things Ben Cole does. It is truth, justice and the American way just like the “other” SUPERMAN.
cb
Easy, CB. His head is big enough, don’t you think?
Funny thing you mention “getting both sides” on issues! Why is this not true of Dr. K. The seminary paid her two years to look for another job. Wow! I have never had that! Have you?
I think we need both sides on several issues!
Wow, Tim, that is the most myopic, one sided view of Dr. Klouda’s issue that one can imagine. In fact, it is ludicrous in light of the incredible financial burden placed on her family since she trusted Paige Patterson at his word – that her job was secure – upon that word her family purchased a house that has now threatened them with bankruptcy since they have been unable to sell it after Dr. Patterson broke his word to her. I think you should take your own advice.
Or do you think that she is an overt liar? Just say it, if that is what you think.
The previous two comments were moved to this thread as Dr. Klouda’s situation seems to be the main thrust.
Tim-
I, too, am grateful that Dr. Klouda was allowed two years to look for a job. I’m also glad that she continued to teach and receive good evaluations, when she could easily have sandbagged knowing that she had been promised one thing and delivered another.
That it was allowed is good, but it isn’t considerably better that what some secular companies, without ties to the kingdom of God, also provide for some employees via contract buyouts, retirement packages, job training, etc, during layoffs, downsizing, etc.
What was done here was simply wrong. If she was academically unqualified, she should never have been hired. If she was pedagogically unfit, she should have been fired. The fact is that she was hired in one administration, assured job security during a new administration, given an end date and forced out months before that date. No matter how you cut this, it isn’t right.
Anonymous,
I’m sorry. You are not going to be allowed to continue to call people’s character into question without signing your name. It is not a witch hunt. I don’t care who you are. However, if you are going to call people’s character into question, you will have to own your words.
You may find the link to the Rules for Comments on the left hand sidebar.
Anony-
The SBC was imploding on itself before Ben Cole came out of hiding or Wade Burleson starting asking questions or Marty Duren started a blog, or Art Rogers made the decision to start commenting under his real name and let the chips fall where they may.
The notice of the SBC’s potential implosion is the reason the rest of those things happened. If someone had not begun stating the obvious (on blogs and elsewhere), many would have, like a bunch of lemmings, continued to the cliff and over it, patting themselves on the back and singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” all the way to the rocks below.