Evangelical college says it will continue to operate despite orders to close

Olivet University at The Seminary at Strawberry has been ordered by a judge to shut down, but the Southern California-based university says campuses will all remain open under a religious exemption. (Ted McDonnell / For The Ark)

Officials for private evangelical Christian college Olivet University, which has a branch in Strawberry, say they plan to appeal a judge’s order revoking the school’s state license and will in the meantime continue operations under a religious exemption.

Judge Debra Nye-Perkins of the Office of Administrative Hearings last month ordered Southern California-based Olivet to shut down, saying the school provides inadequate education with unqualified teachers and has failed to properly maintain required student and financial records.

“The only degree of discipline that would ensure public protection is the revocation of respondent’s approval to operate,” Nye-Perkins wrote.

The ruling was in response to 14 allegations in a complaint filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta in March 2023 on behalf of state education regulator the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Nye-Perkins’ revocation was effective Jan. 10 — the day after classes resumed for the winter quarter — and the ruling also fined Olivet more than $64,000 and ordered the school to help its students find ways to complete their education elsewhere.

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