Andreasen reinstated as President of Andrews University..

Gerry Karst, Andrews University Board chair and a General Vice President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, announced to the Andrews University community at a late Thursday afternoon briefing that Niels-Erik Andreasen had been reinstated as president of Andrews University. This action was taken by the Board of Trustees in a specially called board meeting earlier in the day, March 30. Spectrum, the journal of the Adventist Forums, reported on their web site that Andreasen agreed to ‘soldier on’ in the president’s position.

Karst also announced the creation of a new position—Provost—to manage the day to day administration of the University. This would free President Andreasen to continue serving as the University’s visionary leader and to chair the planned Legacy of Leadership fund raising campaign scheduled to begin later this spring.

Board Turn-Around

Just what prompted the about face by the Board?

Clearly, the Andrews University community was shocked by the earlier action terminating Andreasen and two vice presidents. Questions about both the process and that decision served to mobilize opinion, both on and off campus. Factors that led to a reversal of the Board’s actions are believed to include:

The Board did not fully realize the consequences of their original action both to Seventh-day Adventists and the academic public

It appeared some Board members acted without fully understanding what had transpired between the Board Chair/Vice Chair and President Andreasen

Within days of the original action, the Board received a very strong ‘Vote of Confidence’ for President Andreasen and his leadership from a majority of the deans and faculty of the University. They asked the Board to reconsider their action. Andreasen is highly respected by the world church and academia. He has very loyal personal and public supporters.

Lay members of the board acquainted with other academic institutions were perhaps better able to envision the need for a visionary president and the need for a provost to carry out everyday administration

Last, but certainly not least, knowledgeable, influential individuals made personal contact with board members on the issue

As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe in the ‘Lord’s leading in all things.’ This issue is no exception. Many people, both on and off campus , did everything within their power to bring about the Board’s reconsideration. With prayer and their belief that it’s in the ‘Lord’s hands’ and the working of the Holy Spirit, they awaited the decision.

The University Community Briefing

When Elder Karst spoke to the assembled faculty and staff, he reported that he and Andreasen had had a long telephone discussion two days earlier, working through many of the issues which led up to the board’s action on March 6 which resulted in Andreasen’s and two university vice-presidents’ resignations.

In his announcement, Karst was very gracious, and Andreasen seemed most understanding of the Board’s decision to step back and reconsider the earlier decision. Both men acted cordially and with dignity. They seemed quite comfortable with each other.

Karst stated he had realized that the original board announcement had been perceived ‘as cold.’ But, he said, this was not intended. He particularly wished to acknowledge that and move on.

While neither Karst or Andreasen are known as demonstrative individuals, at the meeting they seemed quite comfortable with each other, stating that they were ‘now on the right track’, and that would ‘work for the greater good of the university’.

Reaction

The announcement of Andreasen’s reinstatement was met with standing applause by the vast majority in attendance. However, some were clearly disappointed. One highly placed faculty member stated it would take some time for ‘healing on this’ but was confident that time would bring this about.

The future

It is far too soon to suggest that the events of the last few weeks at Andrews University will quickly fade away.

No matter the effort to smooth over the conflict between the trustees and administration, it will take time to rebuild the relationship and to restore an effective and collegial future.

Furthermore, in overseeing the church’s flagship university, the Andrews Board includes leading clergy of the church. Hopefully, what has happened will not be seen as ‘shooting one’s self in the foot’, but rather will be accepted as a demonstration that no matter what level one may have reached in the church’s hierarchy, not all one’s decisions prove to have been prudent.