Planning for Our Future: A Message from the Dean of Campus Life
Wesley Theological Seminary has a 60 year ministry in the city of Washington, D.C. This ministry was birthed through a vision to shape persons for ministry using the context of the city. Over these 60 years, theological education as a subset of higher education has gone through a great many changes. Wesley is no stranger to those changes and it is change to which I now seek to address.
Wesley has entered into a relationship with a commercial developer to explore a land lease development of a portion of our land for a new student dormitory. This dormitory would house a combination of our student families and American University students. This market-rate student housing would sit on land that currently encompasses Carroll and Straughn dormitories as well as the parking lot. We would not sell our land but rather lease the land the building would sit on. The size and scope of this building has not been fully determined, but its presence on our campus would reshape our campus and shared life together.
The central question you may ask is, “What’s in it for Wesley?” The answer is essentially, “Our future.” With all of the changes and uncertainty in theological education, the financial picture for many of our sister schools is not as bright. With the added uncertainty of the United Methodist Church, our own fiscal future must also be assured. It is hoped, that through this agreement, our ability to remain committed to (and in) the ministry context of Washington DC can be reaffirmed for the next generation of pastoral and community leaders.
In the new year, we will hold town halls for students and other community members to hear more about this project and its impact on the community. Going forward, the Wesley administration is committed to keeping you informed about the changes on our campus and the ways this project unfolds.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee
Associate Dean for Campus Life
Director, African American Church Studies
Wesley has entered into a relationship with a commercial developer to explore a land lease development of a portion of our land for a new student dormitory. This dormitory would house a combination of our student families and American University students. This market-rate student housing would sit on land that currently encompasses Carroll and Straughn dormitories as well as the parking lot. We would not sell our land but rather lease the land the building would sit on. The size and scope of this building has not been fully determined, but its presence on our campus would reshape our campus and shared life together.
The central question you may ask is, “What’s in it for Wesley?” The answer is essentially, “Our future.” With all of the changes and uncertainty in theological education, the financial picture for many of our sister schools is not as bright. With the added uncertainty of the United Methodist Church, our own fiscal future must also be assured. It is hoped, that through this agreement, our ability to remain committed to (and in) the ministry context of Washington DC can be reaffirmed for the next generation of pastoral and community leaders.
In the new year, we will hold town halls for students and other community members to hear more about this project and its impact on the community. Going forward, the Wesley administration is committed to keeping you informed about the changes on our campus and the ways this project unfolds.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee
Associate Dean for Campus Life
Director, African American Church Studies
Comments
Post a Comment