Chimes Reports Due Process Concerns Around Boer Resignation, Board Response

In a March 28 article, Calvin University's student paper Chimes reported on questions about due process around the February resignation of former president Weibe Boer and published a released statement from the board that reiterates the board’s confidence in its own "process of information-gathering and deliberation that led to Dr. Boer’s resignation."

The board had announced Boer’s resignation Feb. 26, saying the university had “received a report alleging that President Wiebe Boer engaged in unwelcome and inappropriate communication and attention toward a non-student member of the campus community.” The announcement said, “Upon receiving the report, we immediately engaged outside experts to ensure that Calvin University responded to the report in compliance with our policy and legal requirements, including Title IX. After being notified of the report, Dr. Boer denied some of the allegations but did admit to sending communications that were inappropriate and inconsistent with the high standard of conduct and character expected of the President of Calvin University. Dr. Boer subsequently offered his resignation, which the Board accepted.”

At the time Calvin University was not providing anything other than the board's announcement when The Banner reached out with questions about which outside experts were consulted or if the board was taking any other action in relation to the allegations made.

The board released to Chimes its subsequent statement March 28, Chimes editor-in-chief Savannah Shustack said.

Boer continues “to call for a transparent investigation for the benefit of the entire Calvin community,” according to a statement provided by his legal counsel and published in the March 28 Chimes report.

The Chimes report details a request for an independent review of the board’s decision by a neutral third party. That was a letter sent to the university’s board of trustees by a group of alumni March 18. Shustack, author of the report, said she was given a copy of the letter by a source close to the situation.

Zachary King, general secretary of the Christian Reformed Church and Michael Ten Haken, chair of the Council of Delegates, which serves as the CRC synod’s interim committee, reached by The Banner for comment, said, “We will not be providing additional comment on this matter.”

Responding to a question, King said, “The Council of Delegates does not have a role in governing Calvin University. Instead, Calvin University’s board has been delegated by synod with the power to govern the institution according to its synodical mandate and the university’s bylaws. This includes the supervision of the university’s president. This responsibility lies solely with the Calvin University board.”

Chimes is following this as a developing story, its report says.