Cornerstone University leadership are facing serious allegations of faculty and staff mistreatment and neglect that demand a response. Evidence supporting the allegations can be found here.

On Wednesday, July 17th, this open letter was sent as an email to Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, the President’s Cabinet, the Office of Spiritual Formation, and the Board of Trustees.

"To Cornerstone University Leadership,

Over the past three weeks, I have attempted to open a dialogue and ask clarifying questions with Cornerstone University. If the serious allegations coming to light are true (and given the overwhelming evidence, they seem to be), they demand a response. The university’s silence and lack of statement is surprising and deeply concerning. If the allegations are untrue, the university should have no problem issuing a statement clarifying the situation. If the allegations are true, the university must respond and explain themselves and begin to move towards righting an egregious wrong.

According to Scripture, leadership should “not accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. (1 Tim 5:19)” Although this directive is for the local church, it is a sound principle for any Christian organization. Far more than two or three witnesses have raised concerns since Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño arrived at Cornerstone University almost three years ago. Cornerstone University leadership is without excuse. As a Christian organization, Cornerstone should reject any kind of evil (1 Thess 5:22) and should be willing to openly respond to serious allegations from employees, so that their witness to the world shows their pursuit of truth and goodness.

1 Timothy 5 continues: “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. (1 Tim 5:20-22)”

That is why, on behalf of many current and former Cornerstone University faculty and staff, ‘Voice of CU’ is publicly raising accusations of mistreatment and neglect under the leadership of Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, Cornerstone University administration, and the board of trustees.

The following is an outline of the accusations:

• Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño has a demonstrated pattern of faculty and staff mistreatment and emotional abuse. Not only does his behavior routinely violate the University Covenant, but more critically, the Biblical mandate for Christian leaders to be temperate, self-controlled, gentle, not quarrelsome, and not lording over others. (1 Timothy 3 1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-5)
• Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño and his administration have propagated a workplace culture of intimidation, silence, fear, and division. Disagreement with the president’s vision puts faculty and staff at risk of retaliation, disciplinary action, harassment, or termination of their employment. These cultural features go against the Biblical mandate for Christian leaders not to lord over others. (1 Peter 5:1-5)
• Cornerstone University leadership has failed to address faculty and staff concerns since Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño arrived at the university almost three years ago. Instead, the shared governance that once existed between administration and faculty was systematically dismantled. Cornerstone University Leadership’s unwillingness to communicate with its employees fails to exemplify Christ’s leadership style, who came “not to be served, but to serve”. (Mark 10:45)

Evidence supporting the accusations from primary source documents and testimonies can be found here. This webpage is publicly accessible and will be updated as more information surfaces.

I, as well as many others in the wider CU community, are praying for each of you as you work through these accusations and determine how to proceed. This is a difficult time for the university, and while we want the institution to thrive, that cannot happen unless leadership takes accountability and confesses their sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)”

We await your response, either to this email, or in the form of a public statement.

Sincerely In Christ,

CU Alumnus/’Voice of CU’"

 

We, the undersigned, affirm our support for this statement and urge an immediate response from Cornerstone University leadership.