Schools

ISU College of Business Will Not Reinstate Religious-Themed Business Seminar

College of Business Chair said he pulled a protested course because he didn't have time to address all concerns before the semester began.

An business college chairman said Thursday that he has no plans to reinstate a religious-themed business course that was canceled after other .

Rick Dark, the chairman of the accounting and finance department, approved an independent study course called Application of Biblical Insight into the Management of Business/Organization, last fall.

However, ISU professors objected after reading this description: “The goal of this seminar is to employ the Bible for insight into handling the vital issues faced in a business. Topics include building an appropriate team environment, creating a life-work balance, financing decisions and building your integrity. The class will be informal with discussion as the principal focus.”

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The class description posted on the business website didn't accurately describe the class as envisioned by its teacher, Roger Stover, a finance professor, Dark said. After protests, Dark said he decided to pull the independent study because he didn't have time to address all concerns before the class began this month.

“We make mistakes. I let it go too soon and that was my fault,” Dark said. “I'll make additional mistakes I'm sure. I wish I could say I never did anything (wrong.)”

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Dark said Stover intended the seminar to be a discussion of businesses that use Biblical themes in their management style and whether that enhances their companies.

Professors objected because they felt the class prescribed religious practices rather than describe them and said Dark didn't have the academic background necessary for teaching a religious course. 


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