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          The Student Voice     Issue 2, No. 5     11.29.1996
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active ('ak-tiv) adj. - 1: characterized by action rather than by
contemplation or speculation  2: productive of action or movement

To say that a student is "actively" participating in protest by merely
reading a "newsletter" strains the common understanding of several words, but
particularly the word, "active."  Of course, why bother with the common
understanding of the words used to punish students when it is upon mere whims
that students are punished?

IF YOU ARE ON THE "EAGLE.PCCI.EDU" SYSTEM - DO NOT RESPOND!!!

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          QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"For two men or groups of men can usually discuss things together most
reasonably, honestly and dispassionately when there is no third person
present in front of whom they think they must be careful what they say."
     - Albert Einstein

"Opinions cannot survive if one has no chance to fight for them."  
     - Thomas Mann

"He who takes a stand is often wrong, but he who fails to take a stand is
always wrong." 
     - Anonymous

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
     - Lord Acton

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          TABLE OF CONTENTS

     I.   Voice Announcements
     II.   "Have You Heard the One About. . . ?"
     III.   Some Words From a Long-Time Christian and Public School Teacher
     IV.   Essays
               A.   "Some Words About the 'Traditions of Men' "  - Jesus
Christ
               B.   "A Time For Change"  - Guest essay
               C.   "Fearocracy"  - Guest essay
     V.   Your Comments

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          I.   VOICE ANNOUCEMENTS

>>> The Student Voice is preparing a Response regarding the student(s) who
have been expelled for involvement with this newsletter.  It is a shame that
it has come to this, and it is even a further shame under what pretexts the
expulsion(s) were carried out.  We do not take this lightly, and we will
respond accordingly.  Please stay tuned to the Pensacola News Journal for
even further information.

>>> We are seeking alumni and non-students to help us with the distribution
of The Voice.  We are in the process of organizing a group to help with a new
distribution method; those interested, please let us know, and we will give
you more information.  This will be starting up next semester.

>>> If you would like any copies of back issues, please let us know. However,
we would ask that you limit your request to 2 issues per request in order for
us to be more efficient.  Once you have received the two issues, then please
feel free to request 2 more.  Here is a list of Voice issues and other
information:

          The Student Voice Introductory Letter
          Transcript of Dr. Horton's comments made about The Student Voice
          Issue 1, Nos. 1 - 4
          Issue 2, Nos. 1 - 4

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          II.   HAVE YOU HEARD THE ONE ABOUT. . . ?

There are so many things that I could tell you about my personal experiences
with PCC.   Here is one from my undergraduate days.   I was a junior and had
three freshman roommates.   One came a day late, his name was ----.   He
walked in with absolutely no idea of what was about to happen.   In talking
with him, he had no ties or sport coats - seems that no one ever told him of
some of the finer points of PCC life.   He adjusted well enough to get the
year started right.   On the first weekend, I volunteered to take him around
town and show him where K-Mart, McDonalds and other stores were so he could
function without having to buy the high priced merchandise in the campus
store.   When we were in the car, I noticed him continually spitting into a
coke can.   I tactfully informed him that dipping was not looked upon as a
proper behavior of a student.   We agreed that he wouldn't do it anymore - or
at least not around anyone else.   Weeks went by and we did not get along at
all.   The rules really turned ---- the wrong way and he really had a rotten
attitude.   One Saturday before hall meeting  as I was sitting in my room I
noticed that it was 10:25 and ---- hadn't been seen for a while.   My
roommates and I went through hall meeting knowing something was going on.   I
went to my floor leader and mentioned that ---- hadn't showed up or been seen
for most of the night.   He informed me that ---- and another student were
arrested for drunk driving and underage drinking.   A few days went by and
the inevitable happened - I got a call
slip.   I knew that as APL this was going to be very interesting.   I went
and talked to Dean ---- where I was asked about ----'s life in the room.   I
informed them that we really didn't like each other because he always fought
me for making him do his room job, etc.   Then it got interesting.   Dean
---- said he had a few questions.   How many times have you gone off campus
with ----?   How many times did you go
play pool with ----?   Do you drink alcohol?   Were you aware that ---- was
off campus drinking?   How many times did you do drugs with ----?  How many
times did you go drinking with ----?   How many times did you get a
prostitute with ----?     The questions continued.   After categorically
denying all of these outrageous questions - then came the next.   How long
have you known about ---- dipping?   After I answered, all of the other
questions were repeated once again.   I was then told
that I also was up for expulsion because I "knew" information that I should
have passed on to the PCC "police".   I flat out told Dean ---- that he could
go ahead a kick me out  because if that was a good enough reason, I didn't
want to be there then anyway.  Eventually I was blamed because a student who
had no idea of what PCC was like and definitely should not have been a
student in the first place got in trouble that it was all my fault.   I got
75 demerits for being an improper APL and was
campused for 2 weeks.   This happened right before Thanksgiving.   My parents
were just arriving for a visit.   But I still got campused.   Now just a few
comments:
	1) Why didn't this student have a copy of the rule book before coming to
PCC?
	2) Why do the deans constantly take the word of someone who is about ready
to be expelled? so they can get some more students in trouble?
	3) What is being an improper APL?   By not turning him in at the beginning
of the semester and telling him not to do it anymore and then not having any
further knowledge of his dipping, I thought that I made the right decision by
not turning him in.   Of course, I was only 21 years and who am I to make a
decision ---.
	4) How about all of those questions?   A prostitute?   GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!
   I hope that Dr. Horton reads this because maybe this will give him an idea
of the CRAP that goes on in the dean's offices.   Up until this point in my
PCC career, I honestly think that I had fewer than 50 demerits for
infractions like room jobs, punching a pass in late, etc.  A PROSTITUTE?
  Never!

>>> I guess PCC has substituted the second great commandment - Love thy
neighbor as thyself - to: Love PCC with all thy heart, soul, and mind. . .
and don't even think about helping out someone else unless you get our
permission.  Anyway, to respond to your questions,
   1.)  We believe PCC does now send out copies of the Student Handbook to
future students, but that handbook is extremely vague and entirely
incomplete, as you will see when we publish our Rules Compilation
   2.)  That's what we would like to know.  This gets back to our essay on
the Discipline Committee [Issue 1, No. 2] and the ideas we suggested to
illeviate this problem to a great extent.  To our knowledge, they have been
ignored.  We, too, would like to know the answer to this question.
   3.)  Your guess is as good as ours - we think is whatever the
administration wants it to mean to fit whatever purpose they have in mind at
any given time.  Vague?  You bet. - eds.

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          III.   SOME WORDS FROM A LONG-TIME CHRISTIAN AND PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHER

I must say that reading the student voice brings back memories, many not so
good.  I was a student in the "old days" and I see that not much has changed.
 When I came to PCC there were only two buildings and we had all our classes
in the elementary and high school buildings.  We had to cross the tracks
every day for lunch, dinner, church, and classes.  Many times a train caused
us to be late.  That has all changed, but apparently, many things are still
the same.

I have been a teacher for 17 years now and at least in my opinion a
successful one.  The first eight years were spent teaching in a Christian
School and the last nine in a college prep public high school.

I still remember vividly, especially since StudentV has reminded me, of such
unnatural and rediculous concepts as 1. being socialled, 2. the dating
parlor, 3.  the no touch rule, 4. never being allowed to question authority,
5. the demerit system, 6. 10:30 lights out, 7. the dress code, 8.  the whole
D.C. situation........I could go on and on!  I am almost 40 now and I still
can't get over how I was treated when I was
20.  I have a son in the tenth grade who is starting to consider his college
options and I cannot in good conscience recommend PCC.  

If I was so unhappy there, why did I stay?  Well, once you have invested a
year into a place, it is difficult to transfer without losing ground. I went
to PCC, yes because I believe the Lord led me there, and because of its
emerging reputation of training teachers.  I have to admit that in some
respects, I was much better prepared for teaching than many of my collegues
starting out.  However, my philosophy has changed over the years.  I am now
proud to be a Christian serving in the public schools. I might add that I met
my wife there and we look back on our dating life at PCC and consider it most
unusual.  It is truely a miracle that we conceived our lasting relationship
under such (what now seem unthinkable) circumstances.

PCC seems to be in the business of hiring robot teachers that train robot
students, or at least that is what it appears they are trying to do.  I would
like to see a study of the turnover in faculty at PCC.  What many students
may not realize is that faculty are not treated with much more respect than
the students.  I have known many, many to go to PCC to teach for a few years
and then move on.

What Dr. Horton has esstablished in Pensacola is much like a commune.  A core
of long standing teachers and administrators (not many) have been
brainwashed, in my opinion, into believeing that this is all of God and
functions as the almighty "MINISTRY".  When anyone questions the authority,
be it student or faculty member, they are dealt  with immediately and
severely.  I marvel that this has all continued now 22 years (much longer if
you include the K - 12 school).  Is this because God has raised up this
Ministry....?  I won't touch that one.

I admonish studentV for its courage.  It is finally possible to speak out
without fear of reprisal [this, unfortunately, is not entirely true anymore -
eds.] - although I am sure every effort is being made.  College students need
to be questioning authority and be allowed to speak their minds.  They need
to be able to make mistakes and learn from them, regardless of what may
happen to the "Mininstry's" reputation.  As a parent of three, I am learning
to give more and more freedom to my childeren as they get older, along with
more responsibility.  To send them to PCC and take away their freedom is not
what I can encourage in good conscience.  I was a witness to many a
student that when crushed by the almighty power of the student handbook (and
its inhumane enforcement) rebelled in a way that they would not have
otherwise.  Hasn't Dr. Horton learned in all these years that severe
restriction and unncessary rules are counterproductive?  I guess not! I might
also dare to suggest that Mrs. Horton may be even more responsible than Dr.
Horton.  Of course we will all answer some day and that includes myself and
the Hortons.

I live in the "real world" with all its problems, not in a make believe world
of PCC.  I must say it has many resemblences to extreme teachings of other
groups I will not mention here.  I submit that Christians need to take a part
in public institutions and not withdraw into their own private worlds.  I am
reminded of Jesus and the many times he dealt with the individual person and
not the letter of the Old Testament law.  I don't think it is too far a
stretch to compare PCC with the Pharasees and other groups in the Bible and
in history that have been caught up in legalism.

I know this must all sound like sour grapes, but I am not bitter against PCC
for the years I spent there.  I earned a degree at PCC. I belive I have had
an impact on my students for many years and I am very involved in my Church.
 My children go to the public schools and I support them and have become
involved in their education.  It is my belief that nothing will change at PCC
until Dr. Horton leaves (he has no
children to pass the baton to like Bob Jones).  This is not to be hateful at
all, but I am simply stating what I think is a fact.  Thank you for letting
me share some of my opinions. 

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          IV.   ESSAYS

>>> Both Leibniz and lupos were unable to contribute essays this week.

"Some Words About the 'Traditions of Men' "
- Jesus Christ, taken from Mark 7:1-16

1.  Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes,
which came from Jerusalem.
2.  And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is
to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3.  For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft,
eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4.  And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not.  And
many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing
of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, "Why walk not thy disciples
according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?"
6.  He answered and said unto them, "Well hath Esaias prophesied of you
hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but
their heart is far from me.
7.  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
8.  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as
the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do."
9.  And he said unto them, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that
ye may keep your own tradition.  
10.  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth
father or mother, let him die the death:
11.  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban,
that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he
shall be free.
12.  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13.  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye
have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
14.  And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them,
"Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15.  There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile
him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the
man.
16.  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."


"A Time For Change"
- Guest essay

	There seems to be a great debate in The Student Voice about motives and
change.  This is not what The Voice should be about.  Life's decisions are
all about right, and wrong.  Whether or not change occurs because of The
Voice is up to God (and I certainly hope change does occur, for it is
needed).  The question is "Should you agree or disagree with the issues
presented in The Voice?"  Is the school right or wrong about what they are
doing?  I would like to deal further with the motives issue.
	1.  You cannot judge my motives or those of the editors.  It is impossible,
so why try?  What you can judge is the validity of our arguments.  Let me
illustrate it this way.  Is stealing wrong simply because your pastor says
so?  What if Hitler said so?  Is it any less of a truth because of the
character of the person saying it?  What if someone said it, not to spread a
Biblical truth out of love, but to make sure you didn't steal from him?  Is
it any less valid?  What if he said it with a bad attitude?  The point I'm
trying to make is that if someone said that stealing is wrong, yet he was a
thief, or he said it with a bad attitude, or he had the wrong motives, it
still would be truth.  Let us say that Adolf Hitler gave a lecture on why
Christ was God, and he gave all the right reasons.  He doesn't have a good
character, and most likely would have a bad attitude and the wrong motives.
 Because of this I would scrutinize what he had to say more closely, but
truth is truth, regardless of the character of the messenger or the attitude
and motive behind the message.  The only good question is, "Are the facts and
arguments correct?" and if they are correct, then "What will you do with the
facts and arguments presented?"  This is why I am glad that the editors
decided to remain unknown.  I can focus on the facts, and pray about what I
should do about them.
	2.  The only things you or I or the editors can judge is what the Bible (and
therefore God) judges.  In my opinion, the editors have done nothing that is
wrong.  It is also my opinion that PCC HAS done things that are wrong
(spreading legalism, being uncaring of fellow Christians, attempting to stop
free speech and thought, and implementing an incorrect view of authority).  I
also would like to say that I do appreciate the editor's "sharp" sarcastic
style.  It is not harsh enough to be cruel, yet it adds a "point" to the
facts.  It remarkably resembles the Apostle Paul's style (no I don't think it
is inspired, nor do I believe the editors to be apostles or anything like
that.  It just happens to be the way Paul, under inspiration, handled
problems with fellow Christians who seemed very much unwilling to listen).
	I also would like to make a comment about the issue of the editors not
making comments to the opposing opinions that are sent in and printed in The
Voice.  I DON'T LIKE IT.  I do not consider myself to be extremely
intelligent, logical, or an extremely gifted writer.  I am, however, a
thinker, and many times I see the faulty logic of a disagreement, but I just
can't seem to put my finger on the problem, or properly state what that
problem is.  I like the editor's comments, because it saves me the time and
energy of finding the fault.  I usually come to the same conclusions as the
editors, but it takes me longer.  Also, it makes me have to deal with the
facts.  I have no holes where I can ease my conscience.  The editor's
excellent logic in their refutations cause me to be able to focus mainly on
what I will do about the truth, instead of focusing on what the truth is.
 It's time for a change - time compare PCC to the truth.

"Fearocracy"
- Guest essay

	In the time I have spent in this ministry I have found that fear dominates
staff, faculty, and student.  It is neigh to impossible to get an honest
opinion about anything that a person might disagree with about the school.
 Why is this so?  Is it because they do not believe that they are right?  I
should hope not.  Is it because they fear spreading a bad attitude?  Not
usually.  Is it because they are evil Bob Jones spies bent on destroying this
college, and they don't want to be caught until their wicked scheme of
obliteration comes to fruition?  Most unlikely.  It is because they fear for
their jobs, or college careers.  The idea presented by one of the readers
that a student should be able to go to the administration and discuss some
disagreement is good in theory, but not in fact, at PCC.  If someone were to
attempt it, they would most likely not be kicked out/fired right away, but
they would win much disfavor with the administration.  They would be labeled
as a dissenter.  The opinion of the individual was important to Christ.  Why
is it so disdained here?
	It saddens me greatly to see the damage done to those young students who
come here to learn about, and love Christ, yet are ridiculed and mistrusted
by their "leaders."  The damage done to their Christian lives is
incalculable.  I try to do what I can of "damage control," but sometimes
nothing can be done.  Some rebel, others get depressed, many fall by the
wayside.  Why?  Because they were wicked people?  Some perhaps, but not all.
 They fall because they expect this Christian organization to be full of
learning, and loving,  and yet they find that even the administration, the
ones who should be the leaders and therefore more mature, have a harsh, and
unloving spirit that is hardly Christian.  Even if a student rebels he should
be loved as a Christian brother, not disdained as if he has no value.  Yes,
maybe he will have to be kicked out, but love him anyway.  Is this not the
teaching of Christ?  It is sad to see that even those who keep a good
attitude towards the "ministry," but choose to continue believing differently
are treated as outcasts.
	I mentioned before that fear is dominant.  Fear should be dominant among
those who wish only to disobey, but what of those that want to simply be
right?  What of those that sincerely, and with full conscience disagree with
the school in an area?  Should they fear?  Is the purpose of authority to
make good men fear trying to make the system better? or others better? or
themselves better?  Why is PCC authority causing this reaction among good
God-fearing people?  It seems to me that the school is attempting to get the
people to fear the administration as they (the people) would God.  They fear
disagreeing with the college at all.  Who other than God should someone fear
disagreeing with even when that person has a good attitude?
	The administration always has said that people should obey authority no
matter what kind of attitude the authority has, but shouldn't a Christian
authority be able to take correction even from someone with a bad attitude?
 Yes, it may be authority's need to put that attitude "in it's place," but
does that mean you should not listen to them at all?  Does that somehow
negate the ideas behind his arguments?  I see no reason that this should be
so.  It seems to me that the administration is asking their students to be
more mature than they themselves are willing to be.

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          V.   YOUR COMMENTS

>>> COMMENT from a non-student.

To Whom It May Concern,
You do not know me. I am not and have never been a student at PCC. However, I
have a family member who recently graduated from PCC along with several of
his friends. I have visited the campus several times. Every time I visited I
was considered to be "not properly attired". I graduated from Bible College
and I am currently in the full time ministry. I was introduced to several
people of authority and prominence
while I was there. They were told that I was employed in the full time
ministry. However, this did not stop them from looking down their noses at
me, maybe because of my attire. I am writing all of this to state the
following.

The Bible College I attended was not perfect. It had many of the same
problems that you have addressed. It was not perfect because it was run by
men. These were great men. Many were pastors with strong, thriving churches.
They were pastors and teachers. But just as I said, they were still men. Men
will make mistakes and always do. Many times I was frustrated and upset with
how things were handled at the college. Many times they were contrary to
God's Word. Many times they were 100% wrong in what they did. Sometimes they
admitted it and sometimes they didn't.
It all used to really bother me.  Then one day I realized that what is most
important for me was to be doing the will of God. God has a specific will for
each and every one of us. And it is easy to know it, if we are truly seeking
it. God's will for my life was to go to that college and receive my degree
and prepare myself for what lay next. God knew the problems there. My job was
to focus on keeping myself right, true, and uspotted from the world. Many
people around me made mistakes everyday just like me. Some mistakes were more
noticeable than others because the people who committed them were on the
staff of the college. I had to concentrate on taking one day at a time and
making sure that I was living according to God's will. God will take care of
the other people, it is not up to me be the Holy Spirit in their life. If God
wants a student at PCC then that student should attend PCC and abide by every
rule that they have. The student should do what is required of him by the
school in order to receive their degree. This is just a short period in their
life. I guarantee you that if it is
God's will for them to attend PCC, and they attend PCC, and they obey every
rule and command passed on to them, and they focus on living their lives
according to God's Word, and they do this no matter if the rules and laws
make sense or not, then they will be blessed by God for obedience to His Word
and Will. 

You seem to focusing on the truth. The truth is that we are spirit-quickened
Christians living in a spiritually dead world. Putting the word Christian on
something does not always make it Christ-like. However, we have the ability
and power to be Christ-like and must be. And we must concentrate on ourselves
and not get too busy worrying about others, because we tend to forget that
people in glass houses should not throw stones. Just like Jesus told the men
trying to condemn the lady for her sins; He said for those without sin to
throw the first stone and none did.

********************************************************

>>> COMMENT from a former student.

	First of all, I would like to begin by saying that I have the
highest respect for PCC.  I know without a doubt that my teachers,
especially those in my particular area of study, cared about me as an
individual.  I am proud to be a graduate of such a fine institution, and
I have no regrets for having attended PCC. 
	I am happy to see that there is finally a place where students
can "openly" discuss our views about the college.  I know that there are
those who would like to see this forum disappear, but they are the ones
who created it.  They created it by putting up a wall between the
students and the administration.  I do not necessarily believe that the
Student Voice is the best place to discuss our feelings about PCC, but it
has become our only alternative.  
	I would also like to say that I hope this forum does not become a
place where students come to "trash" PCC.  If it ever comes to that, then
I will no longer have a part in it.  As I said before, I am proud to have
attended PCC.  I do not see much use for an electronic forum that
"bad-mouths" the college.  Students can do that without a computer.  I
want to see the Student Voice maintain a high level of Christian ideals
and communicate with a loving attitude.

Sincerely,
Equilibrium

************************************************************

>>> COMMENT, with reactions and comments from The Voice.

In a message dated 96-11-19 11:23:21 EST, you write:

<<  I was very interested to receive the most recent newsletter.  I
 graduated in 1991, and can relate to most of the sentiments that current
 students are expressing.  However, from my vast perspective of 5 years as an
 alumni, I would also like to speak in defense of the administration. >>

No problem.
 
 <<        My experience with the iron fist of PCC came in the fall of '88,
my
 sophomore year.  I had been employed at a restaurant during the summer, and
 after we closed one hot evening, I was offered a cool, frosty pina colada.
 I took only one sip; and to this day, that is the only alcoholic beverage I
 have ever tasted.
 
         I forgot about it until registration at PCC, when we were asked to
 sign a form stating that we had not used alcohol or tobacco in the last 6
 months.  I checked "No" and signed the form, then suddenly remembered that
 sip of pina colada.  I asked the person seated next to me in the Lyceum what
 she thought.  She said, "Well, I went on a cruise and had some champagne,
 and I don't think that counts," which was no help.
 
         I decided that my conscience would bother me, so I changed the
 alcohol box to "Yes."  I figured that if I got a call slip, I would just
 explain the situation and it would be no big deal. >>

I commend you for being honest.
 
 <<    Sure enough, two weeks later, the dreaded green glow appeared in my
 box.  At the appointed time, I ventured to the fourth floor of the
 administration building and located the office of the assistant dean of
 women. After being invited to explain my "Yes" checkmark, I confidently told
 the aforementioned tale, then awaited her thanks for my honesty and my
 permission to leave.  Imagine my surprise when she informed me that the
 policy for all incidents of alcohol consumption was to campus the guilty
 student.  My pleas and protests, of course, were to no avail. >>

I think it is unfortunate. . . .
 
 <<     In my case, they were quite lenient; >>

"Lenient"???  By whose standards?  Are PCC's "standards" those by which we
want to be judging what is "lenient"?  I don't know. . . but please continue.

<< it was only until midterms, and
 I could still go off campus--as long as I had a floorleader or a PL with me.
>>

How generous of them.  How old were you? 

<< Well, with my major and work assistance, I didn't have a lot of time to go
 off campus anyway; but I was crushed.  I had always been a good girl who
 never got into trouble.  In fact, for the first two weeks of that semester,
 I WAS a PL.  I had two freshmen roommates with whom I had quickly grown
 close.  However, since I was no longer qualified to be even an APL, I was
 required to move out of my room. >>

Amazing. . . and to think they were being lenient.
 
 <<   Life was really hard for awhile.  My family felt that the situation
 was ridiculous, and that I should transfer to another school.  But the Lord
 truly worked it out for good; >>

He always does.  That's why there is no "bitterness" or "anger" with me.  I
enjoyed my four years there, and I, too, have friends that I consider more
valuable than any education I received.  The Lord does work things out for
good, but just because He always does, doesn't mean that we have to remain
silent to double standards and just complete nonsense.

<< two of the girls in my new prayer group have
 become lifelong friends.  And I learned a valuable lesson; that life isn't
 fair, and it's our reaction to what happens to us that counts with God. >>

You're right, and I think God is disgusted with much of "modern" Christianity
for doing much less than we should have, and for reacting less.  
 
 <<   And now . . . to defend the administration.  First of all, we must
 recognize that they DO have the right to set any rules they wish, as long as
 those rules do not force a student to violate a commandment of God. >>

Of course.  I have advocated this numerous times.  In fact, the first essay I
did on authority was to show that PCC DOES have that right.  

<< If a
 student doesn't like a rule, he is free to make a choice: stay or leave. >>

Now think about that for a second - what you, and many others in the
administration are saying is that there are two choices: like and agree with
EVERY rule, or leave.  Now, I'm not saying you are narrow minded, because I
don't know you, but it is this kind of reasoning that makes me want to pull
my hair out.  If I left everything that contained something I didn't like, I
would have to kill myself.  No, the answer is not to run away, but to try to
resolve the conflicts.  You know as well as I do that numerous students have
these same problems.  What if they all left?  Would that be what you want?
 And what if God led the student there?  Are you saying that they should
leave against God's will?  There is more room in this discussion besides
agreeing with everything or leaving. . . .
 
 <<   Yes, some may lose financial support from Mom & Dad if they leave,
 or forfeit credits earned (since they usually don't transfer). >>

Kind of a drastic measure to take for simply disagreeing with some rules,
wouldn't you say?

<< It's still a
 choice.  If one is determined enough, he can succeed anyway. >>

And it's a choice to agree or not. . . .
 
 <<   If one decides to stay, as I did, then the correct course of action
 is to decide to rejoice in the Lord always, and learn in whatsoever state I
 am, therewith to be content. >>

I agree, but this doesn't mean silence.  I rejoice in His truth, and when I
see someone twisting it, especially when it is an institution which claims
moral superiority over virtually everyone else, I cannot remain quiet.

<< It's only four years; after that, we can do
 what we want.  A focus on how unfair the deans are, and on all the fun
 things they won't let us do, will only make us miserable. >>

Yes, not being allowed to grow up will make one miserable - this is the way
God made us.

<< Plenty of fun
 activities ARE allowed. >>

I don't think anyone is disagreeing with you here.
 
 <<   It is more difficult to explain why the administration seems so
 closed-minded.  One obvious point is that each rule has been added as a need
 for it has become obvious. >>

Well, you just said two words that speak volumes.  "Need."  Are these things
really "needs," or just quirks?  And "obvious."  Obvious to whom?  And based
on what principles?  They certainly are not based on Scriptural principles,
many of them; so by whose standards do you determine what is and what isn't
"obvious"?  It wasn't obvious to me or lots of other people.  Were we
mistaken when we thought that adults should have adult responsibility?

<< If no college freshmen had ever gotten into
 trouble with the opposite gender while off campus, probably we would still
 be allowed to fraternize with them there. >>

My goodness!  Are we going to simply ignore the natural course of human
social interaction?  Are you saying that any time someone "gets in trouble"
that environment should be completely cut off?  Actually, I don't think
students were ever allowed to "fraternize" with others of the opposite sex.
 Let me ask you something - isn't that a bit insulting?  I mean, what they
are saying to you is that you are not mature enough or smart enough to be
able to handle normal social interactions - the same ones you do all the time
when you are not at school.  Is this reasonable?

<< Regarding my "alcohol problem," I
 can understand the need to draw the line somewhere.  >>

Sure - No alcohol at school.  Why do they need to go prying into what you and
I do over the summer?  We have these things called "parents," remember?

<< If my one sip had been
 OK, how about two sips?  Three?  Four?  Five hundred?  The easiest and most
 obvious line to draw is one sip, as silly as it seems. >>

Sure - but the line cannot be drawn where there is no authority to draw it.
 This, I believe, is the problem here.
 
 <<   Our human nature tends toward pride and rebellion.  A disciplined
 atmosphere such as is maintained at PCC (or the armed services, for that
 matter) will quickly bring out those characteristics in us if we're not
careful. >>

Actually, there is very little problem with rebellion in the military. . . .
 Again, you are using terms that require volumes to really flush out, which
is fine.  "Discipline" raises many other issues - how far may they go?  What
can they and what can they not discipline for?  Who really should be
disciplining?  etc. . . .  Let's not forget what the context is - college,
not elementary school.  
 
 <<   The PCC administration is trying to protect their students from the
 ungodly influence of the world, and from their own sinful natures. >>

But is this really their responsibility?  I guess that gets to the core
values - Is it PCC's responsibility to "protect their students"?  I thought
the Scriptures gave that responsibility to the parents?  And I think that if
a person is not ready to be able to face the ungodly influence, then he/she
shouldn't be away from home yet. 

<< We may
 disagree about the age at which we should be given what freedoms.  I believe
 that people age 18-22 are still vulnerable enough that they should be
 thankful for the protection afforded by an institution such as PCC. >>

Based on what principles?  They are allowed to vote.  They are allowed, and
sometimes required, to fight and defend this country, but you think they must
have PCC's strict restrictions?  And what about the millions of other
Christians and non-Christians who turn out just fine, in spite of not being
"protected"?

<< I wasn't at the time, but I am now. >>

Should you have been away from home, then?
 
 <<   Also, the world loves it when they can point at a Christian and say,
 "See, they're no better than me; why difference does God make?"  >>

They also love to look at hypocrisy and fanaticism to say the same thing. . .
..

<< From the
 perspective of testimony in the community, image IS important; and the
 administration is trying to protect that too. >>

I agree that image is important, but what "image" is PCC portaying when it
builds multi-million dollar complexes when there are homeless people not more
than 10 minutes away?  And what kind of "image" do you think PCC is
portraying when people see no interaction between groups of PCC students
because of a restriction on normal and acceptable social behavior?  And what
type of "image" do you think PCC sends out when they claim to be morally
superior to others and others love God every bit as much, if not more?  What
kind of "image" is the question.
 
 <<   I hope that these thoughts may help current students struggling with
 unfair punishment, and former students or alumni who may still be dealing
 with hurt from their experiences at PCC.  For you I pray God's healing and
 peace.  Rejoice now in His freedom! >>

Thank you.

THE STUDENT VOICE, by Leibniz

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