Newbold College Apologizes for Racism and Discrimination on Campus, Forms Audit Panel

Newbold College of Higher Education has issued a further news release and video following an earlier statement on “Black Lives Matter.” In the new release, the college says, “It is time to apologise. It is time to hold ourselves accountable. It is time to vow change for a better future.” The statement was first posted on the college’s website.

The earlier statement was made in the light of the killing of George Floyd. Since then, the college says, it has been “shocked and disappointed” to hear from current students, staff and alumni about “unacceptable incidents of racism and discrimination” at Newbold. The college thanked those who had shared their feelings of pain and hurt, saying that doing so had been “no easy thing.” It added: “We have let you down, and we will strive to put things right.”

The college acknowledged “past and present wrongs perpetrated on racial grounds” and stated that racist or discriminatory behaviour “is not in harmony with God’s ideal.” It said it was sorry for all failures in this regard on the part of the college and asked forgiveness for every heartache or anguish caused or felt. Owning these failures calls for the honest accountability that Scripture links to responsibility (Luke 12:48).

Citing Elie Wiesel, who stressed that “what hurts the victim the most is … the silence of the bystander,” the statement promised to ensure that “black lives really do matter on our campus.” The college has called a meeting for next Monday of a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Audit and Strategy Panel. The panel will be chaired by the college chaplain, Pastor Alastair Agbaje, and will include a number of students and staff. The college asked members of the community to “find the strength to voice your experiences” so that practical solutions for change could be developed.

The statement was signed by John Baildam, Principal; Abigail Wright, Chief Financial Officer; and Serena Santona, Academic Registrar, on behalf of the college’s Senior Leadership Team. The signatories described the team as ethnically and culturally diverse and said they were proud of the college’s “multi-ethnic and multi-national heritage.” Quoting Ellen White, the statement said that when the love of Christ is cherished in the heart, “no difference will be made because of the colour of the skin.” The college said it was committed to working intentionally to eradicate racism, prejudice and intolerance of any kind.

The college stated that its campus must be “a safe and welcoming place for all,” regardless of race, colour, culture, tribe, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or ability. It acknowledged that “whatever we say may never be enough.” The college said further initiatives would follow, including a virtual open dialogue session.

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