The recently formed Committee on Sexual Identity Conversations organized a series of panels throughout the semester, open to faculty. In May 2012, president Barry Corey shared five core commitments at chapel to help guide the conversation about sexual identity issues at Biola. With regards to those core commitments, the committee planned specific events for this year.

The panels will equip faculty with the necessary tools for providing intentional conversations and a safe environment for students on topics such as gender and sexual identity, said Chris Grace, the vice president for Student Development and university planning. The first panel was held on Sept. 14 and the remaining panels are scheduled until December.

“We have had panel ideas on various topics … it is not a brand new conversation nor a new topic,” Grace said. “We are making more strategic efforts this year to encourage more conversations.”

A safe place to discuss issues with gender and sexuality

The scheduled events are focused on helping faculty and students engage in conversation about issues with gender and sexuality, according to Grace.

“Biola is a place that is safe to think about such issues and ask questions,” said David Nystrom, provost and senior vice president. “[Biola] is a place of grace as well.”

The discussions are also brought up to help faculty be aware of resources available to students in any given situation, according to Nystrom.

“It is to help faculty know all of the complex pieces to this, what’s going on with students who might be saying they know someone or are struggling with this,” Grace said. “And what can I do that might be gracious, kind and followed by what is a good response to help.”

Nystrom said that he hopes students will grow deeper in their understanding of their faith.

“And a sense of a deeper understanding of how a Christian community can work and maybe ought to work,” he said.

Ultiamtely hoping to impact students to grow deeper in their faith

Discussing these issues can lead to deeper insights into humanity and God’s expectations from his creation, Grace said.

“Broadly speaking, relationships [and] marriage have huge implications for how we see and understand who God is,” he said.

The committee organized these discussions in hopes of bringing Biola close together as a community.

“We want to be a community that is gracious, and a community that is committed to walking alongside those from the community that are dealing with issues like this,” Grace said.

These are conversations that will be ongoing for Biola, according to Nystrom.

“The way we are created is that all of us are broken … and we can’t fix ourselves,” Nystrom said.