Dear University administrators, faculty, and staff:

On Monday, Lori Walton distributed an open letter alleging that Andrews

University is practicing gender and religious discrimination. She also
distributed some additional documents. Much of Dr. Waltons letter
contains inaccurate statements or unfair implications. While I choose to
believe that Dr. Walton is not intentionally spreading inaccurate or unfair
information, she nevertheless is doing so.
Early in 2015, Dr. Walton shared with her department chair that her faith
journey led her to conclude that she is an adherent of Islam. I am
convinced that Dr. Waltons decision was made after sincere searching.
Indeed, Dr. Waltons deep convictions are an obvious part of her life and
character and they are among the many reasons why Dr. Walton has been
respected and admired. Although Dr. Walton was, and remains, a capable
and talented professor, her Muslim faith contradicts the employment letter
under which Dr. Walton was hired. Andrews University expects and
requires that students will be taught from a Christian world view.
Faithfulness to Christ, and to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is a
significant part of the universitys mission. For that reason, the University
decided not to renew Dr. Waltons faculty appointment and promptly
informed her of that decision.
Was the Universitys decision motivated by Dr. Waltons gender (or hijab)?
Absolutely not. The Universitys decision would have been the same
whether she was a woman or a man. And, as Dr. Walton herself pointed
out, what is in a persons head is far more important than what is on a
persons head.
Does the University believe that non-Adventists and non-Christians are our
brothers and sisters, loved by God, and our equals?
Absolutely. The Universitys decision is not based on a feeling of
superiority. All faith traditions have much to learn from, and teach, each
other. However, the University does have a right (as do all faith-based
institutions) to insist that its professors will teach in support of its
institutional mission.
Has any student been intimidated into not sharing their opinion?
Absolutely not. When an announcement was made to students in the
department about the non-renewal decision, the department chair
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specifically invited students to be heard: If you have further questions or

complaints please handle them professionally by following the Student
Rights and Responsibilities policy Section 11 of the student handbook.
Does the University believe that Muslim students are second class?
Absolutely not. All students are equally cherished and the University
makes no distinction among students of different faith traditions.
Did the University President encourage Dr. Walton to be deceitful?
Absolutely not. In fact, just the opposite took place. When I met with Dr.
Walton, I thanked her for being forthright and affirmed her integrity while
expressing that I would have that same expectation for all University
employees. I also expressed the necessity of the University being
transparent about its own faith commitment. I cannot understand how my
statement to her became so misunderstood.
Is the University troubled by the examples provided by Dr. Walton about
statements attributed to University faculty and staff?
Absolutely. Because Dr. Walton inaccurately and unfairly represented my
words, I am concerned about the accuracy of the words she quoted as
coming from members of the faculty and staff. However, allowing for some
inaccuracies, I would join Dr. Walton in being troubled by ignorance and
insensitivity. None of the things that Dr. Walton now reports have ever, to
my knowledge, been reported to the University. The University would take
seriously any derogatory comments made toward any ethnic or religious
group; such comments are not acceptable to the University and do not
reflect the warm and welcoming spirit which is most often associated with
Andrews University.
Isnt there a way that Dr. Walton could have appealed the decision not to
renew her faculty appointment?
Absolutely. As the letter from the dean (provided by Dr. Walton) made
clear, there is an appeal process involving faculty colleagues on a
grievance committee. Dr. Walton chose not to pursue that path. She did
make an informal appeal directly to me and, after considering the matter, I
supported the decision of the academic administrators.
Summary
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Andrews University has appreciated the quality of the service provided by

Dr. Walton during her faculty appointment. She was a valued colleague
and will remain a good friend to many. The Universitys decision not to
renew her teaching appointment for next year had nothing to do with her
performance. Unfortunately, some people may view (as apparently Dr.
Walton herself views) the decision not to renew Dr. Waltons faculty
appointment as an act of hostility toward Islam. I certainly do not view it
that way. I see what has happened as this: Dr. Walton followed her faith
convictions. In response, Andrews University has followed its faith
convictions. Just as Professor Walton has acted out of deep conviction, so
too has Andrews University. Both decisions Professor Waltons decision
to become a Muslim and Andrews Universitys decision to not renew her
faculty appointment are deserving of respect. This remains true even if
you think that one or the other (or perhaps both) of the decisions were
wrong. Decisions have been made in good faith and based on the
decision-makers best judgment. While no institution is perfect, Andrews
University is well within its rights to insist that its full-time professors
advance the institutions mission in the ways that it sees fit.
Sincerely,
Niels-Erik Andreasen
President

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