College says no to Baptist money

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Samford University will refuse an anticipated $3 million annual budget allocation from the Alabama Baptist State Convention next year, university officials said.

The university’s Board of Trustees executive committee approved the decision July 7 after consultation with state convention leaders. The move is effective Jan. 1.

“I believe the action taken by our trustees is something that both parties have been anticipating for some time and will serve the best interests of both Samford and the Alabama Baptist State Convention,” said Samford President Andrew Westmoreland in a news release. “Our longstanding educational and ministry relationships with Alabama Baptists have always been more significant than money, and these relationships will continue and flourish.”

Al.com reported that Westmoreland said recent tension between Samford and state convention leaders over a proposed student organization to discuss LGBT rights and issues was a factor.

State Convention President John Thweatt and State Board of Missions executive director Rick Lance said they were “saddened” by the faculty’s vote, “which provides recognition of an agenda that we believe to be contrary to Scripture.”

Samford, which was founded by Alabama Baptists in 1841, had an annual budget in 2016 of more than $166 million. Samford recorded its eighth consecutive record enrollment in fall 2016 with 5,471 students.