Retreat

Published by The National Herald, February 18, 2005

Faculty Retreat Reveals Hellenic College Mindset

By Theodore Kalmoukos
Special to The National Herald

BOSTON – The faculty of Hellenic College implies that the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the Hierarchy of the Church in America are, to some extent, too directly involved with the institution’s academic affairs.

Twelve members of the Hellenic College faculty (including Dr. Makrakis) and one mediator participated in the retreat, 13 people in all. Faculty members broke off into smaller groups and reassembled for a general discussion.

According to a five-page report of the Faculty’s recent retreat, which took place this past December at the Holiday Inn in Brookline under the direction of Hellenic College Dean Lily Makrakis, the faculty stated the following:

"Consider the ways in which Church leadership affects academic life at Hellenic College (i.e., choice of professors, courses, and overall policy; decisions are made as far up as the Patriarch in Constantinople; how does this affect the morale at Hellenic College?)… Consider how the Bishops’ agendas prevent productive change at Hellenic College (Archbishop Demetrios of America is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College)."

The report (dated December 16, 2004) is an official summary of the retreat and is signed by Maria G. Mackavey, a consultant from Lesley College who was invited to facilitate the retreat discussion.

According to the report, the faculty discussed the existence of factions which adversely affect the institution: "Consider how factions outside and inside the college stop the process of the college and create a parochial vision."

The report confirms that the College has low academic standards: "Consider why student admission standards are so low, and why students get to graduate, regardless of how poorly they perform. Consider why rules governing exam periods, reading periods, absenteeism, etc., are often not adhered to…"

The need to adjust the school’s policies on sexuality were also discussed at the faculty’s retreat: "Consider how to address sexuality (i.e., gay and lesbian issues) on campus in a non-judgmental way so students can speak openly about all forms of relations. Consider how to make life for female students in the dorms more livable and acceptable; consider how much diversity Hellenic College is willing to accept in the areas of cultural background, ethnic background, and religious background. Consider how to create course structure, course schedules and course workload to reflect the more diverse student body, and to prevent students from feeling isolated."

According to the report, Dr. Makrakis and her faculty are looking to redefine the mission and the identity of the School: "(There is a) need for further clarity around the Mission Statement. Who are we? Non-denominational? Orthodox Christian?"

The discussion on the College’s identity considered its Hellenic roots: "How is ‘Greek’ defined in the Mission Statement? Is there an ethnic emphasis, or is it referring to an ancient and more universal sense of the term?"

According to the school’s website, however, Hellenic College’s identity and mission are as follows: "Hellenic College is a Christian Orthodox institution of higher learning. The College educates students in Classics and Greek Studies, and in specialized professional fields, with constant teaching of Orthodox Christianity. Hellenic College students pursue career-oriented programs compatible with the intellectual, cultural and spiritual purposes of the institution: Classics, Elementary Education, Human Development, Liberal Studies, Management & Leadership and Religious Studies. The core courses trace the development of Greek culture from ancient to modern, in addition to art, history, literature, philosophy, religion, and the social and natural sciences. Hellenic College recognizes that education involves one’s relationship to one’s self, to others and to God, and it welcomes all from diverse racial, religious and ethnic backgrounds to participate responsibly in the life of the school as an Orthodox Christian community. Accordingly, the relationship between the professors and students is at the center of the learning process. Hellenic College offers a liberal education as a powerful instrument for attaining a mature understanding of Christian life."

Despite the official statement cited above, and in spite of the College’s 40+ years in existence, the dean and faculty felt the need to ask for clarifications:

"Clarify whether Hellenic College is a ‘Greek’ college or an Orthodox college with a Greek curriculum." They also stated the need "to work together to reconcile faith and learning in our curriculum, without one unbalancing the other."

They also cited the need for enhancing communication among themselves: "Encourage horizontal communication among faculty, even though we are in a hierarchical culture. Determine ways to empower faculty."

According to the report, Dr. Makrakis and the school’s faculty are requesting a more diverse and open community: "Create a more welcoming environment. Integrate student body more fully; men and women, Greek and non-Greek, seminarian and non-seminarian. Make diverse career and vocational paths more visible to all students – not just the path of the seminarian or the priest."

Dr. Makrakis and the faculty also decided "to schedule a half-day retreat to continue our discussion on March 22, 2005: 1-5 PM, followed by dinner."

In a telephone conversation with Dr. Makrakis, she initially said she was unaware of the report. She then conceded that the faculty held a retreat, but said she did not remember the statement about the Ecumenical Patriarch’s involvement in the life of Hellenic College, and said the Patriarch is not directly involved.

TNH: We are going to publish a story about the report of the Hellenic College faculty retreat in December. Would you care to make some comments?

MAKRAKIS: The retreat was very productive. It was much better from what I had expected. Maria Mackavey moderated it. I did an introduction, and I let Maria Mackavey facilitate the discussion. On her directive, we formed small groups and discussed various issues; how did we started and became who we became as professors or administrators at the College. Then the groups brought the results of our discussions into the general discussion.

TNH: It is stated in the report that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew affects the academic life of Hellenic College, even to the extent of choosing professors and courses, and making overall decisions. Can you tell us how the Patriarch intervenes?

TNH: The report prepared by Maria Mackavey about the faculty retreat of Hellenic College dated December 16, 2004. Are you not aware of that?

MAKRAKIS: At this moment, I do not know about it. I know that a discussion took place among the professors. She asked them to say how the retreat went; what took place, and so forth. I personally have not received the final draft (of the report).

TNH: The report consists of five pages, and it was written by Maria Mackavey. Are you not aware of it?

MAKRAKIS: You call it report. It is not a report. She discusses what happened. To whom this report was sent?

TNH: This report discloses what you and members of the faculty discussed during the retreat. Is that correct?

MAKRAKIS: Yes, but it is not a report. It is not complete. It states some points about the discussion that took place.

TNH: Can you tell us, from that discussion, how is the Ecumenical Patriarch involved in the life of Hellenic College?

MAKRAKIS: I do not remember such a thing. I do not remember any discussion on the issue.

MAKRAKIS: Some questions were given at the end which Maria Mackavey called unanswered; that is, those questions were considered taboo in some way. At the end, Maria Mackavey said that each professor could raise some questions that he or she thought ought to be discussed.

TNH: We are asking you, does Patriarch Bartholomew get involved in the life of Hellenic College?

MAKRAKIS: It is not an accusation. It is a question as to how the Church gets involved with the school. Every professor had the right to ask questions because there are unanswered questions. This question was not answered, but we did not have time to go into the unanswered questions.

TNH: In the report, it is stated that "consider how the bishops’ agendas prevent productive change at Hellenic College." Who is the bishop the report is talking about?

MAKRAKIS: No one. How do I know who said that, and which bishop he or she had in mind?



Volume 7 Number 8 - Tuesday, February 22nd, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY