University statement indicates committee will review presence of Chick-fil-A at Elon

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The question about whether Chick-fil-A should continue as a vendor at Elon University has generated considerable debate on campus and beyond.

In response to a student-authored resolution opposing the university’s relationship with Chick-fil-A, Student Government Association hosted a forum Oct. 11 that invited students, faculty and staff to express their opinions regarding the restaurant’s presence on campus prior to the senate’s vote. Strong opinions have been shared in open forums, Student Government Association meetings, student media, online forums, and in phone calls and emails to the university.

Although the senate voted 35-11 in favor of the resolution to sever ties with Chick-fil-A and Darien Flowers, SGA executive president, vetoed the legislation, a final decision on the matter has not yet been reached.

“My veto is advisory, just like anything SGA does,” Flowers said. “The great thing about the university is we operate as a system of shared governance. We share a responsibility for how the university is run.”

The executive committee of Elon’s Board of Trustees has elected to create a study committee to research the university’s procurement policies and business relationships with external vendors. The study committee will present a report to the Board of Trustees later this academic year.

The current Chick-fil-A restaurant will remain open on campus while the policies are being developed.

William Herber, Elon trustee and alumnus, and Connie Book, associate provost for academic affairs will chair the study committee will be chaired.  President Leo Lambert and Board of Trustees Chair Wes Elingburg will appoint the other members of the study committee in consultation with Elon faculty, staff and student leaders.

Those who wish to share their opinions may send an email to the study committee at [email protected].

According to a press release by Dan Anderson, vice president of university communications, the debate concerning Elon’s relationship with Chick-fil-A will include discussions about the rights of free speech and expression and fostering an inclusive campus environment that supports each member of the campus community.

The full text of the statement from Anderson: 

The question about whether Chick-fil-A should continue as a vendor at Elon University has generated considerable debate on campus and beyond. Strong opinions have been shared in open forums, Student Government Association meetings, student media, online forums, and in phone calls and emails to the university.

Contrary to many erroneous news reports, a final decision on the matter has not yet been reached. Rather than make a hasty decision about this complex issue, the executive committee of Elon’s Board of Trustees has elected to create a study committee to research the university’s procurement policies and business relationships with external vendors. The study committee will present a report to the Board of Trustees later this academic year.

The current Chick-fil-A restaurant will remain open on campus while the policies are being developed.

The study committee will be chaired by Elon trustee and alumnus William N.P. Herbert, M.D., the William Norman Thornton Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Emeritus at the University of Virginia, and Connie Ledoux Book, Elon’s Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. Board of Trustees Chair Wes Elingburg and President Leo M. Lambert will appoint the other members of the study committee in consultation with Elon faculty, staff, and student leaders.

People who wish to make their opinions known and offer input on this issue may send an email to the study committee at [email protected].

In keeping with our long-established practices and values, the Elon community is holding a thoughtful and respectful discussion about the broader issues at stake in the decision. The debate involves an important balance – protecting the rights of free speech and expression, and fostering an inclusive campus environment that supports each member of the campus community and welcomes a wide range of religious traditions, identities, and discussions about political and social issues.

Elon University welcomes the involvement of all members of the community in these discussions and asks support for careful deliberations in finding the appropriate decision on these issues. This approach is a hallmark of the Elon community and demonstrates our values of giving everyone an opportunity to express their opinions.

Stay with The Pendulum for more information as it becomes available.

  • ChristopherErwinHogan

    Any company that equates gay people with pedophilia and man on dog sex, supports electro-shock “therapy” to try and turn people heterosexal, and fires women so they can “go back to the home, where they belong” won’t get my business. And their COO Dan Cathy has himself called anyone who supports marriage rights for gay people, “Evil and twisted.” I’ve never seen a restaurant this obsessed with other people’s personal lives.

  • calbertrand

    what about incest between consenting adults? Should two adult brothers be allowed to marry? a grown son and father? Uncle-nephew, or grandfather-grandson? Where is the line drawn?

  • Jim

    Banning Chick Fil A for supporting the definition of marriage that we have used the past 2,000+ years (and that President Obama supported until election time) is insane. There is no evidence whatsoever that Chick Fil A discriminates against employees or customers. The vote by the council is a hateful one in and of itself.

  • Brittany Moore

    @36d59ba6d15fe83b18254716f6dc66c1:disqus , @3b791139d1b771f892d0ae3c0f5ba53a:disqus – It is obvious that you both didn’t even read this article!!! I am just so tried and overwhelmed with opinions all over the internet that aren’t based on any fact, just pure emotional, knee-jerk reaction. Jim, there is a plethora of evidence that states CFA donates to hate groups and harmful, discriminatory practices. There have also been many lawsuits taken against cfa by former employees.
    The definition of marriage isn’t even the issue here!! Please educate yourself on the issue before wasting your own time and everyone else’s.

    And calbertrand, your comments are disgusting and homophobic. Two consenting, loving people wanting to marriage is NOT compared to incest between father and son, etc. To compare the two is an injustice and furthers peoples’ view of your comments (and yourself) as homophobic and ignorant.

  • Pingback: SGA upholds Flowers’ veto of legislation against Chick-fil-A on campus « Katherine Blunt

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