Bob Jones University and GRACE to meet

Officials from Bob Jones University (BJU) in Greenville, S.C., announced plans to meet next week with the Christian group GRACE to discuss the organization’s investigation into how the Christian university has responded to victims of sexual abuse.

BJU hired GRACE (an acronym for Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) in November 2012 to conduct an independent investigation into any complaints concerning BJU’s response or counsel to students who reported they had been sexually abused at some point in their lives.

The investigation came to a halt in late January at BJU’s request, as school officials expressed concerns with how GRACE was conducting its work. In a press release, GRACE leaders said they didn’t know why the school stopped the effort. BJU officials said they wanted to discuss their concerns with GRACE in a face-to-face meeting.

That meeting is now set for next week, according to both organizations. A BJU press release said both groups “remain hopeful the project can be completed with GRACE. …” A GRACE statement said the meeting would address “the possibility of GRACE completing the independent investigation process started last year.”

BJU spokesman Randy Page said the school intends to complete the project, either with GRACE or another independent organization.