Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God 1000 LONGFELLOW BOULEVARD LAKELAND, FLORIDA

             Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God
        1000 LONGFELLOW BOULEVARD LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33801-6099
                Tel (941) 665-4404 t Fax (941) 665-0486
                      E-Mail spongc@mail.firn.edu

CHARLES W. SPONG, D. Min. 
Director for Distance Education

 Statement for a hearing of the United States House of Representatives
     Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution in Tampa, Florida

June 23, 1995

I appear here today because of information sent earlier this
year to the office of Mr. Charles Canady, the honorable
United States Representative of Florida. Thank you for
allowing me to speak. Mr. Chairman and committee members of
the United States House of Representatives, thank you for
taking the time out of your busy schedules to come to
Florida so we could share some concerns relating to first
amendment freedoms.

I speak on behalf of U. S. servicemen who would like to
receive their education with Southeastern College through
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support
called DANTES, as servicemen do at many other American
colleges and universities. DANTES is a federally funded
program of the Department of Defense to financially assist
servicemen taking non-traditional education, such as
distance learning.

Located in Lakeland, Florida, Southeastern College for 60
years has served the nation well in providing quality
leaders for America's public and private schools, the
chaplaincy of the U.S. military and churches, meeting
America's spiritual, educational, and social needs. There is
an Army ROTC program on our campus. Though a small college,
Southeastern College ROTC students have been recognized by
their commanders for outstanding leadership in the program.

I have served the college for 26 years in faculty and
administrative positions, holding four post secondary
degrees the highest being a doctor of ministry. As of
November, 1994, I began serving as the Director for Distance
Education and continue to this day.

In January 1995 our standing with DANTES came to an abrupt
end. The public announcement was made in DANTES information
Bulletin Number 222 "Educational Support to the DOD-
Worldwide" 1995. It stated "Dantes canceled its Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with Southeastern College of the
Assemblies of God in Lake land, Florida, effective 21
January 1995.

Southeastern College entered the DANTES program in 1989 as a
member of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, a
USDE recognized agency, to provide US Military and their
families non-traditional education leading to a bachelor of
arts degree.
In a letter sent to Southeastern College, Feb 25, 1994 from
the Director of DANTES, Pensacola, FL, we were informed that
"due to a recent ruling by the Judge Advocate General (JAG)
after a legal review of college admissions policies, we are
asking schools participating with Dantes to confirm in
writing that they do not require the signing of a statement
of faith or behavior which implies acceptance of certain
religious tenets. " The letter went on to say that,
"Military students or military family members who express
interest in enrolling in your institution's courses or
degrees should not be required to sign any kind of statement
of faith or behavior which implies acceptance of certain
religious tenets".

This DANTES policy and ruling of the Judge Advocate General
is in direct conflict with policy as authorized by the Board
of Directors of Southeastern College. The new DANTES
guidelines do not appear to be the same as those in which we
entered the program in 1989.

In November of 1994, the Board of Directors of the college
reaffirmed its commitment to the college's mission and
purpose. This mission and purpose is stated in our college
catalog and is reflected in the college's application for
admission. Two questions on the application are, "Are you a
Christian? and Do you agree with and are you committed to
living a positive Christian life based on Biblical values?"

All students who attend Southeastern College indicate a
statement of faith on their application and must have a
recommendation on file from a pastor. Apparently these two
questions ended our relationship with DANTES in January
1995. The college must remain true to its mission of
preparing people for Christian living and Christian service.

As a Christian college administrator, I could not in good
faith recommend a person for chaplaincy or Christian
ministry not knowing one's commitment to the Lord Jesus
Christ and to Christian principles. I would also think
military chaplaincy personnel would want to know a person's
religious convictions and persuasion before admitting him or
her to the chaplaincy.

In my November 1994 letter to the DANTES representative, I
stated "hopefully in the future a workable solution will be
able to be found. If I can assist in this regard, I will be
happy to do so. " To date no solution has been found.

Servicemen have called the college and asked about our
standing with DANTES. We had to indicate we were no longer
able to be a part of their program due to our admission
process that included a statement or confession of faith. To
my knowledge, there are other colleges that find themselves
in a similar situation. It is the desire of Southeastern
College to be able to assist US servicemen in their
educational needs through the DANTES program.

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We believe that the Judge Advocate General's ruling
unnecessarily limits the options available to members of the
armed forces who are able and willing to meet the admissions
requirements of faith affirming institutions. We agree that
no member of the military should be forced to indicate
adherence to specific religious tenets. At the same time,
there is no defensible reason for precluding their voluntary
affirmation of religious convictions. We still hope there
will be an acceptable solution down the road.

Thank you again Mr. Canady and members of the House
Subcommittee on the Constitution for hearing me today on a
vital issue that could have long term effects not only on
our college but other institutions that may feel the impact
of the Judge Advocate General's ruling and the new policy of
DANTES.

Charles W. Spong

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