Worth the cost

Presbyterian Panel poll finds strong support for PC(USA) colleges

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — More than 90 percent of Presbyterians are aware that there are a number of PC(USA)-related colleges and universities in the United States, but very few know that there are 66 of them, according to a recent Presbyterian Panel poll.

      Panelists — segmented into “members,” “elders,” “pastors” and “specialized clergy” by the Research Services office, which conducted the poll — either strongly agree or agree that “Presbyterian colleges and universities provide some of the best education available in the U.S.”

      Of those panelists who attended a PC(USA)-related school, 79 percent of members and 92 percent of pastors rated the education they received “excellent” or “very good.”

So half of church members and more than two-thirds of Presbyterian ministers believe the benefits of PC(USA)-related colleges and universities are worth the cost.

      Those panelists who reported an opinion specifically ranked church-related schools higher than public colleges in meeting students’ spiritual and emotional needs, nurturing moral and ethical values, retaining students and graduating them in four years, and providing help for students inside and outside the classroom.

      More ministers and laypersons agree than disagree that Presbyterian colleges “don’t emphasize their church ties as much as they should.” More also believe that church schools should give priority in admissions to Presbyterian students and that the denomination should give greater financial support to PC(USA) colleges and universities.

      Most panelists believe that congregations (members, 76 percent; pastors, 67 percent) and the schools themselves (74 percent; 75 percent) are the primary Presbyterian entities responsible for promoting the schools.

      But only 18 percent of members, 24 percent of elders and 54 percent of pastors say their congregation “has taken steps to promote one or more Presbyterian colleges and universities among high school students in the congregation.”

      Only 10 percent of members and 30 percent of ministers responding to the February 2004 Panel attended a PC(USA) college or university. More than a third of the members and two-thirds of the ministers said their college influenced their career choice.

      Majorities in every sample said that PC(USA) schools “should do more to help students grow in their own spirituality.” Just under half, however, agreed that the schools “should do more to teach students about Christian faith.”

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