As we are in the Passion Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, I want to reflect on what it means for us to be a Christian university instead of focusing more on the needs of international students. Thus, I want to focus on the need for Handong students and the university to think differently, especially as it relates to us as a Christian university.
First of all, like most students, I am looking forward to having a spring break this year. Of course, even better, will be the full week we will have in the fall semester. It will be a time to enjoy with my wife and children. Maybe we will go to the Gyeongju Bird Park or down to Busan to take my kids to Kidzania again, a place where they can experience different occupations in a safe environment. However, I would give all this up for a different holiday. As a Christian university, I believe it is important to have Good Friday off, as many Christian universities in the U.S. follow. While we are in the world, we are to be different than the world. In the season of Lent, it is important for us Christians to stop and reflect on the selfless act of Christ on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Since we are not at this point yet, I will do what I can. You will see in my classroom, that even though midterm week starts with Easter Sunday, my exams are in the latter half of the week enabling students in my EI class not having to be burdened by worrying about their exam on Easter Sunday.
Second, while I understand that many students would like to see a Burger King come on campus, I am personally against it. The Burger King locations in San Francisco annually celebrate LGBT rights with a Gay Pride Burger. While I am not calling on students to boycott Burger King, and I occasionally go there myself, it is another thing to bring and welcome to campus an organization that conflicts with our Biblical values. Bring me a Taco Bell instead and I can at least pretend I am eating healthy with the lettuce and tomatoes. Plus, Taco Bell would likely be more successful as it would be unique in Pohang.
Last, as a university, it might be good for us to think about penalty points. With the penalty point system, the presentation is more of a threat (do what I tell you or deal with the consequences) instead of discipline with love (punishment with encouragement). Changing from penalty points to a fine based system would allow students to continue to live in dormitory while allowing professors under the RC based system to encourage the right behavior. Both my undergraduate and graduate school used a fine based system and required a certain number of years on campus to help train students as they transition into adults. This last change might be required due to promises the school is making to our international students.

Your Carmichael Headmaster,
Alex Bishop