NO
Reverend John D. Pierce
I, along with the majority of education leaders in Michigan, am against the granting of college charters to denominational academies and advocate for a state-controlled education system (Dunbar 1935, 388). As referred to in the Acts of 1817 and 1821, schools should be under central control (Dunbar 1935, 390). With this being said, central control, namely the University of Michigan, should be the sole university with degree-granting abilities. Federal land granted to the state is required to be of a neutral religious ground (Dunbar 1935, 385). Clearly, denominational schools do not meet this requirement. Denominational schools do not provide a welcoming environment for students of other sects and denominations, and they also tend to be co-educational. Women should have their own branch of study within the college setting (Dunbar 1935, 392). Other views of many denominational colleges include anti-slavery and support for the temperance movement. These are not the normal views among the education system (Dunbar 1935, 401). As a state, Michigan is responsible for funding the education of its citizens. Students should not be responsible for paying to become proper citizens. Taxes that the State collects from citizens should be sufficient (Dunbar 1995, 283). Colleges should be atmospheres where students from all backgrounds can go to prepare themselves as responsible members of society. By placing education under the shadow of religion, emphasis is taken out of the importance of higher education. Plus, once we allow some denominational colleges to grant degrees, there would be no reason for us to not grant this ability to other denominational colleges (Dunbar 1935, 397). This would take power away from the much deserving State University. The State University deserves to maintain the unique ability to grant academic degrees (Dunbar 199, 285).