Resolution Regarding Iliff School of Theology The
Assembly of MARCHA, gathered on November 19 to 21, 2004 expresses its
outrage for the injustice and mistreatment done by Iliff against Dr.
David Maldonado. The
joint report of the University Senate and the General Commission on
Religion and Race review team on the Iliff situation recommended that
Iliff School of Theology be placed on immediate "listing with public
warning." The public warning was issued after identifying that
"institutional racism was a major, significant factor" leading to the
dismissal of Dr. Maldonado. The circumstances related to the
dismissal of Dr. Maldonado were hidden, skillfully disguised with the
retirement language that was used by Iliff to announce the departure of
Dr. Maldonado. The joint report is in agreement with the initial
findings of MARCHA’s investigation on this matter. Even
when MARCHA’s intervention was prompted by the mistreatment of Dr.
David Maldonado, one of our distinguished members, we are concerned for
the well being of other racial ethnic minorities working or studying at
Iliff, and for the quality of theological education in The United
Methodist Church. We were appalled by the intents to intimidate
Dr. Eunjoo Kim due to her support to Dr. Maldonado. The assembly
of MARCHA commends Dr. Eunjoo Kim for her integrity and courage.
We also commend Rev. Dr. Gil Caldwell, a former member of the Iliff
Board of Trustees, for once more taking a clear stance against
bigotry. Other racial ethnic minority faculty also provided
valuable information to the initial research done by MARCHA. We
salute all of them without mentioning their names as they wished, and
celebrate their long-standing struggle against racism and for
inclusiveness. Integrity,
courage, taking a stance against injustice and bigotry are values that
any school of theology should be instilling in the members of its
community. Iliff needs to take steps to redress the injustice
against Dr. Maldonado, against Dr. Kim and against all the people
struggling to overcome racism. Therefore, the 33rd assembly of MARCHA calls on Iliff to do the following: 1. Make a public apology to Dr. David Maldonado and to the Hispanic/Latino community; 2.
After completing the recommendations of the review team, take
steps to serve the needs of racial-ethnic minorities and their churches
in a more intentional and organized way; 3.
Reinstate Dr. David Maldonado to the presidency of Iliff. If Dr.
Maldonado does not wish to return to Iliff, then Iliff shall compensate
Dr. Maldonado with an amount equivalent to his full salary until the
retirement age of 65. Be
it further resolved that the Executive Committee of MARCHA is hereby
instructed to follow up on this matter by being in communication with
the General Commission on Religion and Race and monitoring the progress
of Iliff on justly addressing the aforementioned concerns. If
needed, the Executive Committee on MARCHA shall strongly request from
the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General
Commission on Religion and Race, the General Council on Finance and
Administration, the General Board of Global Ministries, and the
Committee on Hispanic/Latino Ministries that no funds from the United
Methodist Church be available to Iliff until such time as the
institutional racism issues are satisfactorily addressed and justice has
been done to Dr. David Maldonado. Also, if significant changes do not
occur before the end of the Spring 2005 semester, the Executive
Committee of MARCHA will discourage Hispanic/Latino students from
enrolling at the Iliff School of Theology. Copies
of this resolution will be sent to all the general agencies and the
racial-ethnic minority caucuses within the United Methodist Church. Approved by the Assembly of MARCHA on November 20, 2004.
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Korean News
