Baylor faces potential reduction in BGCT funding plan (Updated)

Truett Seminary

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DALLAS—A recommendation approved by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board’s education and finance subcommittees would adjust funding guidelines to “level the playing field” for universities receiving Texas Baptist Cooperative Program funds, said Steve Vernon, associate executive director for the BGCT Executive Board.

The proposal still will need to be considered by the institutional relations committee before the Executive Board takes any action. If approved by the board, messengers to the BGCT annual meeting in Amarillo will consider the matter.

Truett Seminary

Truett Seminary would receive $1,097,500 in 2012 under the proposal.

If approved, total BGCT financial support for Baylor University will be reduced from about $2.8 million to $1.9 million. The university’s operating budget is more than $428 million this year.

Excluding funding for Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary—which remains at about $1.1 million—BGCT support for Baylor would decrease from more than $1.72 million in 2011 to $831,175 in 2012 under the proposed guidelines. Baylor would continue to receive scholarship support for undergraduate ministerial education.

Baylor administration officials said they had not yet received formal notification of any proposed change in BGCT support of Baylor University.

“As we have said previously, Baylor cherishes its longstanding and celebrated relationship with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and is seeking ways to strengthen it,” Baylor spokesperson Lori Fogleman said.  

“We continue to honor our historic Baptist heritage and our powerful connection to Texas Baptists through several important programs on our campus, including the Baptist Studies Center for Research, the Texas Baptist Scholars Program, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and a robust scholarship program for the children of Baptist pastors and missionaries. These are but some of the valuable programs at Baylor that are impacting Texas Baptist life through funds graciously and generously provided by the BGCT.”

BGCT-related institutions fall into two categories. Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting elect a majority—currently 75 percent—of the governing boards of what the convention recognizes as “affiliated” institutions.


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Others—such as Baylor University and Houston Baptist University—relate to the BGCT through contractual special agreements that allow those institutions more control over the selection of their boards.

Under the current guidelines, universities have received funding for campus religious activities, ministerial scholarships, and minority/ethic scholarships and emphases. The schools also have received a prorated block grant based on student enrollment.

Baylor—with an undergraduate enrollment of more than 12,000 students—has benefited from the block grants on the basis of its size. If the funding proposal passes, neither Baylor nor HBU would receive the prorated grants the affiliated schools will receive.

However, all schools—including Baylor and HBU—will receive a $625,000 base amount. All schools also will receive funding for ministerial education.

All affiliated BGCT schools would benefit to varying degrees from the change in educational funding guidelines.

Houston Baptist University would benefit by more than $250,000 if the funding change proceeds. The university’s Cooperative Program funding never was restored fully after being reduced several years ago when the school became related to the BGCT by special agreement rather than being affiliated.

While HBU would lose its prorated grant under the proposal, it would receive increases in all other areas, amounting to an increase from $424,231 in 2011 to $682,150 in 2012.

“I think this represents an imminently fair approach, and I commend the committee for its work,” said Robert Sloan, president of Houston Baptist University. “I think it is appropriate that that this funding approach gives the same base amount to all the institutions. … At the same time, I think it is perfectly fair to remove the pro rata funding for those of us who relate to the BGCT by special agreement.”

Sloan expressed appreciation to the committee for restoring the base amount to HBU that the BGCT significantly reduced several years ago. He noted increased funding will enable HBU to expand its scholarships to Baptist students, as well increase funding for worship experiences, missions outreach and service activities.

“The BGCT needs Houston, and Houston needs the BGCT,” he said. “Houston needs a strong Baptist witness, and I am proud to represent the BGCT here.”

In recent months, both HBU and Baylor elected the first non-Baptist members of their governing boards. HBU sought and received Executive Board approval last year to revise its special agreement with the BGCT to allow non-Baptists on its board, but messengers to the 2010 BGCT annual meeting rejected it.

At its May meeting, the BGCT Executive Board directed Vernon to invite Baylor University President Ken Starr to develop a process for renegotiating the agreement between the state convention and the university. That action came in response to Baylor’s decision in February to allow non-Baptist Christians on its board of regents.

At that board meeting, a nine-member task force appointed to consider the relationship between the BGCT and Baylor presented its report and recommended a renegotiated agreement.

The task force report noted two items for special consideration:

• Funding—“The BGCT and Baylor should agree on strategic funding that is mutually beneficial for shared interests. Texas Baptists have historically given to the Baptist General Convention of Texas to fund Texas institutions to support ministries of interest to Texas Baptists, of whose interests we bear a responsibility of ongoing stewardship.”

• Representation—“The BGCT and Baylor should revisit the policies and guidelines under which BGCT-elected regents are selected for the Baylor board of regents.”

Any change in funding initiated while an agreement is being renogotiated particularly is untimely, said Randy Wallace, pastor of First Baptist Church in Killeen and an Executive Board member.

“In the middle of shaking hands, you do not poke your friend in the eye. Really bad timing,” Wallace said.

“Absolutely, I believe this is punitive.”

Wallace—who serves on the board’s education subcommittee—expressed concern the proposal was “sent to us, but input from our committee did not shape this decision.”

He predicted a frustrating and divisive Executive Board meeting in September—and if the proposal passes, an even more divisive annual meeting and an anticipated negative reaction from Baylor alumni.

“In these days of shrinking dollars, we do not want to be building enemies within church leadership,” he said.
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Side-by-side Comparison
                                                               2011                      2012 Proposed
Baptist University of the Americas        $812,562                $817,518
Baylor University                                   $1,720,228             $831,175
Truett Seminary                                     $1,116,096             $1,097,500
Dallas Baptist University                       $1,569,042              $1,968,920
East Texas Baptist University                $790,279                $799,981
Hardin-Simmons University                   $825,939                $853,899
Logsdon Seminary                                 $277,056                 $295,750
Houston Baptist University                   $424,231                 $682,150
Howard Payne University                     $879,495                 $925,306    
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor         $947,394                 $962,401
Wayland Baptist University                  $941,509                 $1,018,802


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