According to a Washington Post article which appeared in the May 12, 2002 edition of the Raleigh News & Observer, a Virginia based college was recently denied accreditation status by a national accreditation group because the college requires professors to sign a statement of faith affirming that they will teach creationism. The school, Patrick Henry College, located in Purcellville, Virginia is a Christian college founded two years ago primarily for formerly home schooled students.

        The decision by the American Academy for Liberal Education is being appealed by the school. The accreditation group is a private agency approved by the US Department of Education to accredit liberal arts colleges. Patrick Henry has a current enrollment of about 150 students and will graduate its first class in May 2002.

        The concern centers around the school’s Statement of Biblical World view, whereby the professors agree that all courses will be taught from the overall perspective that God created the world in six 24 hour days. In an official letter to Patrick Henry, American Academy President Jeffrey Wallin informed the school that the statement conflicts with the accreditation organization's requirement that "liberty of thought and freedom of speech are supported and protected, bound only by such rules of civility and order as to facilitate intellectual inquiry and the search for truth."

        Michael Farris, Patrick Henry President, responded by indicating that "it took us by total surprise. Apparently, there are some [AALE] board members whose views on diversity just simply do not allow them to believe that someone who believes in creationism should be in the big tent of academic freedom."

        This fall when the school begins offering biology, Farris said, the professors will explain evolution but will teach that creationism is true, based on faith and science.

        Students enrolled in post high school educational institutions which are accredited are eligible to receive federal financial assistance. Patrick Henry itself, however, does not accept federal funding.

        Farris said that several of the school's present students have already been accepted at graduate schools.