Originally published on October 16, 2008.

President Corey pushed for social justice and diversity initiatives in a six-point draft of the university plan he submitted to the board of trustees late last month.

After affirming the initiatives, the various committees of the board have begun drafting specific plans to execute those goals, which will form the backbone of Biola’s long-term strategic plan, to be unveiled in the spring.

“Our whole perspective is based on the work of Christ, the atonement, the cross, the light and love of Christ,” Corey said. “We can’t take our foot off of the accelerator as a school deeply concerned with evangelism.”

Corey said that students are concerned with cross-cultural work “more than ever” and the school is currently responding to big issues of the world in an indirect way through study abroad and academic programming. But “do we have it as one of our foci?” he asked.

In the area of diversity, Corey said Biola ought to do more.

“It’s less about political motivation and more about a theological conviction for diversity,” he said.

The plan discussed by the board, which will undergo more of what Corey calls “word-smithing” in coming weeks, is something the president hopes will be more than “a document tabled on a shelf.” Rather, he wants to see its principles of diversity affect all activities, from recruiting and beyond.

“I want to pass on the baton of leadership to a school that looks so much different in its complexion than it does today,” Corey said.