Leadership and governance
Governance of the Earlham School of Religion is grounded in the by-laws of the Earlham Board of Trustees, and must remain in conformity with those by-laws.
ESR’s governance document addresses the institution’s mission, programs and degree offerings, and commitment to academic freedom and responsibility.
It defines the appointment, roles, authority and responsibilities of the boards, committees and individuals who oversee the administration and operation of the Earlham School of Religion or are engaged in learning at the institution, including:
- Board of Trustees
- President of Earlham
- Vice President of Earlham and Dean of the Earlham School of Religion
- Faculty + Staff
- Adjunct Faculty
- Board of Advisors
- Students
- Emeriti Faculty & Staff
In addition, the governance document sets forth the terms of ESR’s partnership with Bethany Seminary.
The current Earlham School of Religion governance document was approved by faculty on February 5, 2001 and by the Board of Trustees on February 17, 2001.
Community governance
Quaker business is conducted in the context of worship. Rather than voting, decisions are based on the leading of the Holy Spirit through the sense of the meeting by those in attendance. A presiding clerk guides the discussion, and is responsible for interpreting the sense of the meeting.
Earlham School of Religion is not a Quaker meeting, but is an institution of higher learning committed to theological education. While not all matters are decided in a meeting for business, our approach to business and decision-making draws deeply upon our Quaker heritage. Faculty, staff, and students participate jointly in shaping learning and community at ESR.
The Faculty Meeting for Business and Student Meeting for Business are responsible for community governance. Committees support the work of these two Meetings for Business. All meetings are held according to Quaker principles. These afford ample opportunities for involvement in the decision-making process of the school for faculty and students.
- Student Committees: Student Meeting for Business oversees student committees that each selects its own clerk, who is then designated to report important committee concerns to the Student Meeting for Business. Student committees include: Nominating Committee; Community Life Committee; Student Pastoral Care Committee; and Spring Banquet Committee.
- ESR Faculty Committees: The Committees of the Faculty are: Admissions Committee; Faculty Review Committee; Field Education Committee; Harassment Committee; and Personnel Committee. Each committee is composed of at least two faculty members and is convened by a clerk, who is selected by the committee. The Harassment and Personnel committees include a student representative selected by the Student Meeting for Business.
- Joint Student-Faculty Committees: Currently there are two joint student-faculty committees, each of which is vital to the formation of community in the school: Common Meal Committee and Worship Committee. Each of these committees has at least one faculty member and two or more student members. Members of the committee determine leadership.
- Partnership Committees: To facilitate smoother integration with its partner seminary, Bethany Theological Seminary, certain joint committees have been formed and function regularly. These are: Joint Academic Planning Committee; Joint Library Committee; Joint Faculty Retreat Committee; and Information Technology Roundtable.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Earlham’s Board of Trustees is committed in its ongoing support of Earlham School of Religion.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Earlham School of Religion’s Board of Advisors assists in steering ESR as we seek to fulfill our mission.
Happening On Campus
Author Talk with Diana Hadley & David Weatherspoon
Time: 4:00 pmAndy Stanton-Henry, Co-Director of the Quaker Leadership Center, will interview Diana and David about their book.
The post Author Talk with Diana Hadley & David Weatherspoon appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.
Author Talk with Diana Hadley & David Weatherspoon
Time: 4:00 pmAndy Stanton-Henry, Co-Director of the Quaker Leadership Center, will interview Diana and David about their book.
The post Author Talk with Diana Hadley & David Weatherspoon appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.
QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell
Time: 7:00 pmThis course is for Friends who want to understand the deep roots of our current practices! Quakerism is not a credal religion, but all varieties of Quakerism are structured around certain doctrines that have roots going back to the religion’s seventeenth century origins. I will lead a consideration of what these doctrines have have been, and how they were understood prior to about 1700.
The post QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.
QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell
Time: 7:00 pmThis course is for Friends who want to understand the deep roots of our current practices! Quakerism is not a credal religion, but all varieties of Quakerism are structured around certain doctrines that have roots going back to the religion’s seventeenth century origins. I will lead a consideration of what these doctrines have have been, and how they were understood prior to about 1700.
The post QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.
QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell
Time: 7:00 pmThis course is for Friends who want to understand the deep roots of our current practices! Quakerism is not a credal religion, but all varieties of Quakerism are structured around certain doctrines that have roots going back to the religion’s seventeenth century origins. I will lead a consideration of what these doctrines have have been, and how they were understood prior to about 1700.
The post QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.
QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell
Time: 7:00 pmThis course is for Friends who want to understand the deep roots of our current practices! Quakerism is not a credal religion, but all varieties of Quakerism are structured around certain doctrines that have roots going back to the religion’s seventeenth century origins. I will lead a consideration of what these doctrines have have been, and how they were understood prior to about 1700.
The post QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.
QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell
Time: 7:00 pmThis course is for Friends who want to understand the deep roots of our current practices! Quakerism is not a credal religion, but all varieties of Quakerism are structured around certain doctrines that have roots going back to the religion’s seventeenth century origins. I will lead a consideration of what these doctrines have have been, and how they were understood prior to about 1700.
The post QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.
Conflict in Meetings/Churches: Workshop Training with Bill Eagles
Time: 12:00 amConflicts within congregations happen. From the Gnostics to the Reformation to the last 30 years, we’ve seen massive Christian disagreements. Quakers have their own history of splits. But the divisive issues within congregation are both large and small. For four sessions, participants will work with one another and with Bill Eagles
The post Conflict in Meetings/Churches: Workshop Training with Bill Eagles appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.