By JEANETTE BENNETT and JANNA NIELSE
As the first general authority to be president of BYU, President Merrill J. Bateman plans to focus on improving education by emphasizing the parallels of spiritual learning and secular study.
President Bateman commenced his leadership of BYU Jan. 1 after serving for a year and a half as Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“We exist as an institution to educate students in both academic and spiritual dimensions,” President Bateman said.
While he believes the goals and aims of the university will largely remain the same, one area he does hope to improve is the teaching of students at the freshman and sophomore levels. This may be done through hiring more teachers, using more creativity in teaching and making more efficient use of technology, he said.
“Our biggest challenge will be ensuring that we’re equal to the quality of students that come to BYU,” the new president said.
As he approached his new responsibility, President Bateman discussed some of the hot topics on campus.
Concerning academic freedom, President Bateman noted the unique atmosphere sought at BYU. “There are fundamental doctrines we hold as sacred that are eternal truths; but there are still a myriad of topics that remain open for everyone to discuss,” he said.
If a person at BYU becomes an advocate for the adversary, it is appropriate that they no longer be involved with the university, he said.
President Bateman acknowledged that this position is no different than any other private or church-owned university.
Although BYU’s position on academic freedom will not be altered, physical facilities around campus will continue to undergo change.
“There are a few more projects coming,” he said. “Some need to be looked at very seriously with regard to whether there are better ways to provide the education than with brick or mortar.”
Although the continuing construction will impede campus travel, President Bateman hopes all students will make attending Devotionals a top priority.
“Devotionals are a key part of the education,” he said. “In the 1960s when I was here, almost every student went. They were a focal point of the week. I hope we can capture part of that again.”
Devotional speakers will continue to include campus, political and church leaders.
President Bateman and his wife, Marilyn Scholes, will speak at the semester’s first devotional Tuesday.
As a general authority, President Bateman’s major responsibility will be presiding over BYU, although he will have other assignments and meetings to attend from time to time.
Of his dual calling as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and BYU’s president, he said, “It gives a signal as to the type of tone we want as a university. The brethren are making a statement.”
President Bateman is not a stranger to BYU administration. He was the dean of the College of Business and the School of Management from 1975 to 1979.
A native of Lehi, President Bateman earned his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Utah and went on to receive his doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
