Pensacola Christian College

I went to Pensacola Christian College for four years to receive my teaching degree. I knew what the rules were before I started yet was still surprised by how rediculous some of them were. However, the rules would have been a lot easier to abide by and respect had the professors and administrators and other authority been more loving. I had only a handful of teachers my whole four years that actually acted happy and were genuinely nice to their students. Other than those select 4 or 5, the other teachers were extremely uptight and made the class a difficult one in which to learn. Most of the professors I had were tring so hard to follow the rules of PCC that they just seemed so miserable. If they felt what they were doing was serving the Lord, they sure weren't enjoying it. I was dissappointed by the attitudes of the advisors and professors and very disgusted by the pathetic power trips of the "checkers", floor leaders, and dorm leaders. There was constant babysitting going on. Students were treated like pre-schoolers. I do not agree with how many situations and problems were and are probably still handled. It is my own personal belief that PCC considers the student handbook to be more important to follow than God's word. They think that every rule has been derived from God's word but I have a very hard time finding in the Bible where it says that women should wear long mens shorts (which believe me were not always long enough) in the womens dorms instead of pajama pants which are much more modest (if that's the issue). However, I do not feel that the rules of PCC are the true issue. I feel that the "Spirit" that one is supposed to catch is not one I would even want to and thankfuly never did catch and that is one of self-righteousness. I will not go as far as to say that everyone at PCC who is in leadership is like this, however, I will say that the majority of those in leadership (having had contact w/many of them) are. Once I went with my friends to the sports center. I was wearing a shirt that I had worn for 3 years straight at PCC. I noticed when I walked in that one of the "checkers" kept staring at me. My friends and I sat down to play a board game and we had been sitting for about 20 minutes. The whole time we were playing, the checker kept circling our table just staring at me. She never said a word to me but was making me feel very uncomfortable. The next thing I knew, she told my friend who was sitting next to me that she wanted to talk to me. My friend leaned over and tapped me on the shoulder and said, "She wants to talk to you" I was so shocked that she had to go through my friend to do this. I walked up to her embarresed and very upset. She then proceeded to very rudely scold me for the shirt I was wearing. I figure if it took her 20 minuts to tell whether or not it was tight it really wasn't a big deal. I did not say that to her but went and changed and came back only to have her watch me the rest of the evening. Now I realize this is only one instance, but the manner in which the situation was handled was not right. I just pray that the Lord would show those at PCC the liberty that is in salvation. One doesn't have to completely abide by the student handbook to keep their relationship w/God good. In fact, if most of those in leadership would stop trying to be perfect PCCers and work on their relationship w/God I believe they would be much happier people. I pray that God would help PCC continue to grow in His word and not theirs.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000