We have just received news that CU's Board of Trustees has placed Dr. White on administrative leave. The board also named Gen. Loren Reno, the former VPA, as Acting President.
In their announcement, the trustees say they will employ an "independent firm to conduct an audit of the entire process surrounding the hiring of Dr. Moore." This investigation seems entirely appropriate and necessary; we pray it will be conducted ethically and wisely. We also pray the full results of that investigation will be revealed to all CU students, parents, alumni, staff, and faculty.
On the other hand, the trustees also say they "are hiring an independent firm to conduct an internal investigation to ensure nothing inappropriate happened" between Dr. Moore and any CU student. The words "to ensure nothing inappropriate happened" concern us. The wording suggests the objective of that investigation may actually entail dismissing or downplaying any possible problems rather than investigating in order to discover them. In short, we're concerned the trustees' language implies the investigation may avoid looking into possible grooming and stalking behaviors as well as inappropriate communication that may have happened while Moore was employed at CU.
We're also concerned because commenters here have testified to Title IX violations at CU under Dr. White. Thus, we wonder if any possible victims of Moore's will have the courage to speak up. And even if they do, will their experiences and perspectives be taken seriously or will they be denigrated?
Furthermore, we are distressed that the very VPA who was constantly antagonistic towards and suspicious of faculty is now the acting president. You can read about such behavior here:
Finally, we are distressed that no investigations have been initiated into Dr. White's abuses of power, including the cover-up/deception after Moore's hiring and Title IX violations shared in comments on this petition.
Therefore, the action taken by the Trustees, though a step in the right direction, was disappointing and incomplete. We still believe Dr. White should be fired (or, as Lee Enochs suggests at one of the links below, should resign immediately).
"The Village Church Disputes Accounts by Cedarville President Regarding Anthony Moore":
https://julieroys.com/the-village-church-disputes-account-by-cedarville-president-regarding-anthony-moore-names-others-it-told-about-moores-past/
"Why Thomas White Should Resign": https://thouarttheman.org/2020/05/01/why-thomas-white-should-resign-an-open-letter-to-thomas-white/
For these reasons, to keep pressure on the Board of Trustees, please continue to sign and share this petition. Our fight has not ended yet. Let your voice be heard!