Should Prayer Be Allowed In School?

Christian University Cracks Down On Misconduct 

Crandall University, a Baptist Christian institution situated in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, has dismissed esteemed religion scholar John G. Stackhouse Jr. following a thorough six-month investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct involving both colleagues and students.

Stackhouse, known for his expertise in bridging contemporary culture and Christianity worldwide, was terminated on November 22, as stated in Crandall University’s press release. The university engaged the law firm Pink Larkin in April 2023 following anonymous social media accusations of misconduct by an unnamed employee. The firm’s findings, presented to the Board, prompted Stackhouse’s immediate termination.

Sheila Cummings, former Chair of the Crandall Board of Governors overseeing the investigation, along with Chair Douglas Schofield and President Bruce Fawcett, expressed regret and issued a letter to the university community. They specifically extended apologies to students who might have felt threatened or marginalized by a faculty member’s actions.

The independent investigation involved interviews with numerous stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, in addition to scrutinizing various communications, including social media posts from the #dobettercrandall campaign on Instagram.

The investigation highlighted “inappropriate or sexually oriented statements or conversations” occurring over a nine-month period in 2020 and 2021. While not explicitly intending to harass or bully, Stackhouse’s demeanor and interactions, particularly with certain female students, created discomfort and anxiety, according to the report.

The investigator noted that behavior considered acceptable years ago is now deemed inappropriate, constituting sexual harassment in the present context. The report emphasized persistent conduct of a sexual nature in the classroom, impacting the learning environment negatively.

Stackhouse faced allegations of past sexual harassment in the Instagram campaign, but when questioned, he evaded a direct response, citing no open complaints at the time of his departure from a previous institution. The investigation found no evidence of romantic involvement with his current spouse during her time as his student.

Conclusively, the investigator recommended severe disciplinary measures against Stackhouse, emphasizing the necessity for swift and transparent actions within the limits of fairness and confidentiality.