Baylor University

==History==
[[File:Baylor Judge Statue.jpg|thumb|This statue of Judge Baylor is at the front of Founder's Mall in the heart of campus.]]
In 1841, 35 delegates to the Union [[Baptist]] Association meeting voted to adopt the suggestion of the Rev. [[William M. Tryon|William Milton Tryon]] and [[Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor|R. E. B. Baylor]] to establish a Baptist university in Texas, then an independent republic. Baylor, a Texas district [[judge]] and onetime [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Congressman]] and soldier from [[Alabama]], became the school's namesake. Some at first wished to name the new university "San Jacinto" to recognize the victory which enabled the Texans to become an independent nation, then before the final vote of the Congress, the petitioners requested the university be named in honor of Baylor.
[[File:R.E.B. Baylor.jpg|left|thumb|Judge R. E. B. Baylor]]
In fall 1844, the Texas Baptist Education Society petitioned the Congress of the [[Republic of Texas]] to charter a Baptist university. Republic President [[Anson Jones]] signed the Act of Congress on February 1, 1845, officially establishing Baylor University. The founders built the original university campus in [[Independence, Texas]]. The Rev. [[James Huckins]], the first Southern Baptist [[missionary]] to Texas, was Baylor's first full-time fundraiser. He is considered the third founding father of the university. Although these three men are credited as being the founders of the university, many others worked to see the first university established in Texas and thus they were awarded Baylor's Founders Medal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/about/index.php?id=48921 |title=Founders Day |publisher=Baylor University |date=November 3, 2011 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127124529/http://www.baylor.edu/about/index.php?id=48921 |archive-date=November 27, 2011 }}</ref> The noted Texas revolutionary war leader and hero [[Sam Houston]] gave the first $5,000 donation to start the university. In 1854, Houston was also baptized by the Rev. [[Rufus Columbus Burleson]], future Baylor president, in the Brazos River.<ref name="texas">{{cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbu44 |title=Burleson, Rufus Columbus &#124; The Handbook of Texas Online&#124; Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) |publisher=Tshaonline.org |date=August 20, 1964 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516184401/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbu44 |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the 1846 school year Baylor leaders would begin including chapel as part of the Baylor educational experience. The tradition continues today and has been a part of the life of students for over 160 years. In 1849, R. E. B. Baylor and Abner S. Lipscomb of the Texas Supreme Court began teaching classes in the "science of law," making Baylor the first in Texas and the second university west of the Mississippi to teach law. During this time Stephen Decatur Rowe would earn the first degree awarded by Baylor. He would be followed by the first female graduate, Mary Kavanaugh Gentry, in 1855.

In 1851, Baylor's second president, Rufus Columbus Burleson, decided to separate the students by sex, making the Baylor Female College an independent and separate institution. Baylor University became an all-male institution. During this time, Baylor thrived as the only university west of the Mississippi offering instruction in law, mathematics, and medicine. At the time a Baylor education cost around $8–15 per term for tuition. And many of the early leaders of the Republic of Texas, such as Sam Houston, would later send their children to Baylor to be educated. Some of those early students were [[Temple Lea Houston]], son of President [[Sam Houston]], a famous western gun-fighter and attorney; and [[Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross]] famous Confederate general and later President of [[Texas A&M University]].

[[File:Baylor University 1892 front.png|thumb|In 1892, Baylor University had two main buildings, Old Main and Burleson Hall]]

For the first half of the [[American Civil War]], the Baylor president was [[George Washington Baines]], maternal great-grandfather of the future [[President of the United States|U.S. President]], [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. He worked vigorously to sustain the university during the Civil War, when male students left their studies to enlist in the [[Confederate Army]]. Following the war, the city of Independence slowly declined, primarily caused by the rise of neighboring cities being serviced by the [[Santa Fe Railroad]]. Because Independence lacked a railroad line, university fathers began searching for a location to build a new campus.

Beginning in 1885, Baylor University moved to [[Waco, Texas]], a growing town on the railroad line. It merged with a local college called Waco University. At the time, Burleson, Baylor's second president, was serving as the local college's president. That same year, the Baylor Female College also was moved to a new location, [[Belton, Texas]]. It later became known as the [[University of Mary Hardin-Baylor]]. A Baylor College Park still exists in Independence in memory of the college's history there. Around 1887, Baylor University began readmitting women and became [[coeducational]] again.

In the 1890s, [[William Cowper Brann]] published the highly successful ''Iconoclast'' newspaper in Waco. One of his targets was Baylor University. Brann revealed Baylor officials had been importing South American children recruited by missionaries and making house-servants out of them. Brann was shot in the back by Tom Davis, a Baylor supporter. Brann then wheeled, drew his pistol, and killed Davis. Brann was helped home by his friends, and died there of his wounds.

In 1900, three [[physicians]] founded the University of Dallas Medical Department in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], although a university by that name did not exist. In 1903, Baylor University acquired the medical school, which became known as the [[Baylor College of Medicine]], while remaining in Dallas. In 1943, Dallas civic leaders offered to build larger facilities for the university in a new medical center if the College of Medicine would surrender its denominational alliances with the Baptist state convention. The Baylor administration refused the offer and, with funding from the [[The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center|M. D. Anderson Foundation]] and others, moved the College of Medicine to [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]. In 1969, the Baylor College of Medicine became technically independent from Baylor University. The two institutions still maintain strong links and Baylor still elects around 25 percent of the medical school's regents. They also share academic links and combine in research efforts.

During [[World War II]], Baylor was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the [[V-12 Navy College Training Program]] which offered students a path to a Navy commission.<ref name="list-of-v-12">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html |title=U.S. Naval Administration in World War II |publisher=HyperWar Foundation |access-date=September 29, 2011 |year=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112105122/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The university first admitted black students in 1964.<ref name="Profs recall racial integration at BU">{{cite web|url=https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=22344|title=Profs recall racial integration at BU|publisher=Baylor University|last1=Merchant|first1=Megan|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625180834/https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=22344|archive-date=June 25, 2016|url-status=live|date=February 2005}}</ref> The first black graduate was Robert Gilbert, of Waco.<ref name="First black graduate recalls past at BU">{{cite web|url=https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=19905|title=First black graduate recalls past at BU|publisher=Baylor University|last1=Gomez|first1=Lindsey|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629103616/https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=19905|archive-date=June 29, 2016|url-status=live|date=February 11, 2004}}</ref>

In 1991, Baylor began appointing the majority of its board, granting it partial independence from the [[Baptist General Convention of Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Star-Telegram|first=Jim Jones, Fort Worth|title=Many Baptist universities cutting ties with Denomination|work=OrlandoSentinel.com|date=November 23, 1991 |access-date=April 5, 2019|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-11-23-9111230864-story.html|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815063035/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-11-23-9111230864-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A ban on various forms of sexual conduct including "homosexual acts" was in place until 2015. The university has since modified its Code of Conduct.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-drops-reference-to-homosexual-acts-in-sexual-conduct-policy/article_91d25ebb-1ccd-5738-a86a-7bbf4cf4b052.html|title=Baylor drops reference to 'homosexual acts' in sexual conduct policy|last=Dennis|first=Regina|work=WacoTrib.com|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924233751/http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-drops-reference-to-homosexual-acts-in-sexual-conduct-policy/article_91d25ebb-1ccd-5738-a86a-7bbf4cf4b052.html|archive-date=September 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2021 the university prohibits [[LGBT]] student groups and is opposed to [[gay marriage]].<ref name="McGee2021">{{cite news |last=McGee |first=Kate |date=July 9, 2021 |title=Baylor University stirs anger and confusion as it opens the door for first LGBTQ student group |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/09/baylor-university-lgbtq-student-group/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802195621/https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/09/baylor-university-lgbtq-student-group/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, Baylor released an independent historical report acknowledging past slave ownership and support for the Confederacy by R. E. B. Baylor and two founders. These facts were not previously acknowledged by the university.<ref>{{cite press release |last1=Fogleman |first1=Lori |title=Baylor University Releases Independent Report of Commission on Historic Campus Representations |url=https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=222585 |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=Media and Public Relations: Baylor University |date=March 23, 2021 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420045815/https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=222585 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Greta |title=Baylor Acknowledges Racist History of Namesake |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2021/03/25/baylor-acknowledges-racist-history-namesake |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=March 25, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418021100/https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2021/03/25/baylor-acknowledges-racist-history-namesake |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2010s sexual assault scandal===
{{Main|Baylor University sexual assault scandal}}
In 2015, the Baylor Board of Regents hired law firm [[Pepper Hamilton]] to perform an external review of [[Baylor University sexual assault scandal|Baylor's handling of sexual assaults]].<ref name="Protest Response">{{cite web |last1=Roach |first1=David |title=Baylor's sexual assault response draws protest |url=http://www.bpnews.net/46301/baylors-sexual-assault-response-draws-protest |website=Baptist Press |date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517044349/http://www.bpnews.net/46301/baylors-sexual-assault-response-draws-protest |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The report, summarized by the board in a public "Findings of Facts" document, stated that Baylor failed to implement [[Title IX]] in a timely and effective manner, that Baylor administrators actively discouraged reporting of sexual assaults, and that the athletic department failed to address sexual assaults.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baylor.edu/rtsv/doc.php/266596.pdf |title=Baylor University Board of Regents Findings of Fact |author=Baylor University Board of Regents |year=2016 |access-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614214701/http://www.baylor.edu/rtsv/doc.php/266596.pdf |archive-date=June 14, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Baylor University Board of Regents Announces Leadership Changes and Extensive Corrective Actions Following Findings of External Investigation |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=170207 |website=Baylor University |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613200049/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=170207 |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |url-status=live |date = May 26, 2016}}</ref> In response to the report, the Board of Regents fired [[Ken Starr]] as president of the university but retained him as Chancellor and as a law school professor;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Belkin |first1=Douglas |last2=Futterman |first2=Matthew |title=Baylor Plans to Fire Art Briles, Demotes Ken Starr Over Scandal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/baylor-plans-to-fire-art-briles-demotes-ken-starr-over-scandal-1464284169 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609145949/http://www.wsj.com/articles/baylor-plans-to-fire-art-briles-demotes-ken-starr-over-scandal-1464284169 |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> he resigned as Chancellor shortly thereafter and resigned as law professor in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Greenhouse |first=Linda |title=Reversal of Fortune for Bill Clinton and Kenneth Starr |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/opinion/the-president-the-prosecutor-and-the-wheel-of-fortune.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115090029/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/opinion/the-president-the-prosecutor-and-the-wheel-of-fortune.html |archive-date=November 15, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The school also fired head football coach [[Art Briles]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caplan |first1=Jeff |last2=Johanningmeier |first2=Tom |title=Baylor fires football coach Art Briles |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/baylor-bears/article80032437.html |website=Star Telegram |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529055524/http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/baylor-bears/article80032437.html |archive-date=May 29, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Title IX exemption===
In a May 1, 2023, letter to the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Baylor University's President Linda Livingstone requested a formal exemption from provisions of federal Title IX law related to the discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals, on the basis that Baylor requires "purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm" and must "regulate conduct that is inconsistent with the religious values and beliefs that are integral to its Christian faith and mission."<ref>Livingstone, Linda A, Ph.D. (2023, May 1). ''Baylor University Religious Exemption Request.'' United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/t9-rel-exempt/baylor-university-request-05012023.pdf </ref> On July 25, 2023, the Office for Civil Rights responded acknowledging exemption to Title IX for a number of provisions related to the discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals, including "rules of private organizations" and "sexual harassment."<ref>Lhamon, Catherine E (2023, July 25). ''Baylor University Religious Exemption Response.'' United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/t9-rel-exempt/baylor-university-response-07252023.pdf </ref> The exemption request, notable for its specific claim of exemption to Title IX's sexual harassment provision specifically in response to three active investigations against Baylor by the Office for Civil Rights, including one investigation into "Baylor's alleged response to notice that students were subjected to harassment based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity," led five U.S. representatives, including Representative Adam Schiff, to write and sign a letter to Miguel Cardona, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, requesting "thorough, timely investigations into the pending sex-based harassment cases against Baylor University and further clarification on the implications of this particular exemption on students' rights to be protected from sex-based harassment."<ref>Schiff, Adam, et al. (2023, September 5). ''Letter to Department of Education Regarding Title IX Exemption for Baylor University.'' Media - Schiff.house.gov. https://schiff.house.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_department_of_education_regarding_title_ix_exemption_for_baylor_university.pdf </ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knott |first=Katherine |title=Education Dept. Affirms Exemption for Baylor From Protecting Gay Students From Harassment |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2023/08/11/us-affirms-baylor-exempt-protecting-gay-students-harassment |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}</ref>