On December 19, 2024, a source familiar with the matter told University Herald that Olivet University has begun its appeal process and Olivet's counsel has accordingly requested BPPE to prepare "the records of proceedings in the BPPE Proceeding (against Olivet University), consisting of the complete record of the proceedings pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Section 11523."
California's licensing agency BPPE had announced earlier, on December 13, 2024 the revocation of the license of Olivet University, a Christian school based in Anza, California.
"Following a recent (administrative) hearing, Olivet University received a decision that resulted in the revocation of its license in California," the university said in an official statement, "The University is currently preparing to appeal the decision through the appropriate legal channels to address the matter thoroughly. In addition to pursuing the appeal, Olivet University has made the decision as of December 11 to operate under religious exemption in California, and submitted its application same day."
The school, which is a 501(c)(3) religious educational institution, has decided to operate under the religious exemption, to be free from BPPE regulations and as part of its "commitment to continuing its mission and activities while upholding its core values and principles as a Christian institution."
"The University remains dedicated to serving its students and community during this transitional period," the statement read.
Religious Exempt Schools in California Operate with Unique Autonomy
Religious exempt schools in California hold a distinct position among higher education institutions, operating under exemptions from certain regulations that typically govern private universities. These schools, recognized for their religious character, are authorized to award degrees ranging from associate to doctoral levels in disciplines such as religious studies, theology, divinity, and ministry.
It is noteworthy that unlike other private universities, religious exempt institutions are not subject to the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education's (BPPE) mandatory five-year periodic reassessments. This regulatory flexibility allows such schools to function with greater autonomy, reflecting their faith-based missions.
One prominent example is Gateway Seminary, previously known as Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, which serves as a flagship institution of the Southern Baptist Convention. Its success highlights the potential of religious exempt schools to thrive within this specialized framework.
Institutions meeting the criteria for religious exemption automatically qualify for this status. Organizations affiliated with denominations, churches, missions, or religious research entities can confirm their exemption through a straightforward, cost-effective application process, making it an appealing option for many faith-based educational organizations.
Earlier, an Olivet University (OU) spokesperson stated that the institution's decision to transition to a religious exempt school was driven by the advantages of this status and concerns over alleged misconduct by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
The transition grants the university greater autonomy for its future growth while reinforcing its mission as a Christian educational institution.
Newsweek's Role in Feeding a Predetermined Narrative against Olivet University
Sources close to the university have also accused Newsweek of being on a nefarious crusade to see the institution shut down, alleging that the publication has blatantly flouted journalistic ethics and integrity to suit its agenda.
A school representative stated that Newsweek reached out for a comment on Sunday morning at 9:08 a.m., more than 20 minutes after publishing its article about the alleged shut down of the university, while claiming in its article that "Olivet did not respond to a request for comment on the decision before this article was published."
"The fact that Newsweek did not even bother to wait for a response from the university only further confirms the bias of its predetermined narrative," the spokesperson said.
Later, after finding the university's statement online, Newsweek added a quote to the article. The representative pointed out that the author of the story seemed surprised by the university's plans, despite the report being written with an air of "gleeful enthusiasm" for the institution's challenges.
"A simple Google search on California's religious exemption, as well as a general understanding of appeal rights, would have informed an objective reporter of such potential decisions by the school," the representative added, further questioning the publication's commitment to accuracy and fairness.
