Statement from the Randolph College Board of Trustees

In June, the Randolph College Board of Trustees voted to consider the relationship of the College with the United Methodist Church (UMC).  

Throughout its history, the College has been affiliated with the UMC and has benefited from its encouragement and support. In the early years, the UMC provided generous financial support, and more recently, scholarships for Methodist students. 

However, in early 2019, the UMC voted to retain language in its official documents that prohibits the ordination of LGBTQ+ persons as ministers, and prohibits Methodist ministers from officiating at same-sex marriages. These official positions of the UMC contravene the fundamental principles of non-discrimination, diversity, and inclusion to which Randolph College is committed, and, therefore, the Board of Trustees has voted to end the College’s formal affiliation with the UMC.  

Randolph College welcomes all students, faculty, and staff regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression, and remains committed to providing a community that supports the spiritual lives of its students, faculty, staff, alumnae and alumni.