Or, rather, a respectful request for an open forum on sexuality, which I guess is how they do it at Seattle Pacific University.

Text of the respectful request is below, but first, an update from Kelsey Ryland, one of the SPU alumns leading the campaign to get SPU to stop marginalizing its LGBT group, Haven.

A group of alumni met yesterday evening to discuss how we can continue the discussion with SPU. We want to make it clear that we are not just asking for SPU to find space to talk about 'sexuality,' but how they are going to support and acknowledge the LGBTQ students at SPU. We have sent an e-mail to the SPU administration requesting a forum to discuss our concerns. We have also encouraged alumni to send e-mails to the administration outlining the cost (financial and otherwise) of loosing their support, if they have not already done so...

We want to make it clear that we will not be ending this conversation until changes are made.

And here's the letter the alumni sent:

Dear President Eaton, Vice President Steele, and Associate Vice President Jordan,

We have been made aware of the responses distributed via listserv to current SPU faculty and staff regarding the club status of Haven and SPU’s Statement on Human Sexuality. After a thorough review of the responses offered by both President Eaton and Vice President Steele, we would like to request an open forum to allow alumni to communicate directly with the three of you and address questions raised in the past weeks.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we would like to engage as a community by creating a space for discussion and direct dialogue regarding these issues. The treatment of Haven has a direct effect on our decisions to make financial donations to SPU and to recommend SPU to prospective students. We hope you will agree to hold an open forum to clarify your perspectives on Haven and SPU’s Statement on Human Sexuality and to allow alumni to voice our opinions directly to you.

As concerned alumni, we respectfully request the following from you:

An open forum including the attendance of President Eaton, Vice President Steele, and Associate Vice President Jordan to be held before the end of March 2011.

A space provided by SPU with the capacity to hold at least 200 persons for the proposed purpose.
Written notice of the proposed forum provided at least one week in advance.

As members of SPU’s alumni community, we look forward to discovering ways in which we can remain involved with the University in a way that honors our convictions regarding Haven and the importance it holds for the SPU community. We look forward to your positive reply and may be contacted via the following email address: alumni.haven@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Kayla Beckman
BrittaLisa Gess
Jennifer Gist
Grant Rehnberg
Kelsey Ryland
Abigail Stahl
Jessica Susan Vehorn
Emily Warr
Rachel Willey