APU’s Video News, Capture, filmed the interview with sophomore communication studies major Sam Price.
By Hunter Foote, Editor-In-Chief, and Jessie Gomez, News Editor
On the first day of school, sophomore communication studies major Sam Price said he walked home from the grocery store, went up the stairs to his door in the Shire Mods and discovered a piece of notebook paper lying face down on the ground. Upon turning the paper over, Price read the words, scribbled in green highlighter: “Faggots Don’t Belong at APU Get Out.”
Price, who openly affirmed his homosexuality to the APU community in October 2013, said he immediately felt anger toward the writer.
“At first I was very hurt by the note, seeing that it was the first time I had felt any hate at this school,” Price said. “The more I thought about it, I realized how much love I’ve received from everyone here and how supported I am. Even though APU doesn’t have the same policies towards [sexual orientation as I do], I’ve received nothing but love and care from everyone at APU and APU faculty.”
That day, Sept. 3, after spending time reflecting about his experience at the university, Price put a photo on Facebook of himself holding the note while smiling.
“I wholeheartedly respect anyone for having their own opinions against what I believe, but what I can’t respect is when people are too ashamed to even say it to my face,” Price’s Facebook post said. “As Christians, we are called to show God’s LOVE in everything we do, and that’s what I plan on doing if this person ever confronts me. To whoever did this: I forgive you and I know God does too.”
According to that message, he did not post to invite pity for himself or apologies on the writer’s behalf, but rather to show that “I’m not ashamed of who I am and I’m proud to stand up for what I believe in.”
In an interview with The Clause, Price also said he wanted to create awareness that some on campus express prejudice regarding sexual orientation.
“I wanted to spread the word that this kind of stuff still happens,” Price said. “That even though I do feel safe on campus, other students don’t. And even though I am supported, other students don’t feel that they are.”
Sept. 6, Price filed a report with the Department of Campus Safety about the incident.
According to the department, the note “violates several Student Standards of Conduct policies.”
“This was a rare occurrence not in keeping with the type of community we build at APU,” said Campus Safety Executive Director and Chief Terry Meyer. “A review of records over the last five years did not identify a similar incident.”
Just as the note was the university’s first recent reported case of this nature, it was also Price’s first after disclosing his sexual orientation.
“After coming out, I received nothing but love from everyone,” Price said. “I know APU’s policies, so I don’t try to abuse them or go against them. So everyone that does know just loves me for it, and this is the first time I’ve ever felt hate from my views.”
The case, according to Meyer, is now closed because of a “lack of leads,” and due to “lack of evidence,” it’s “not likely” the writer will be found.
Since Price’s Facebook post on Sept. 3, his photo and story have drawn social-media attention. In the past week, Price’s original Facebook post generated 338 likes, 188 shares and 67 comments. The post reached users on Twitter and Facebook as well as appearing in the online publication gaystarnews.com.
University Relations Executive Director of Strategic Communication Maureen Taylor and the Assistant Director of Public Relations, Rachel White, told The Clause there have not “been any publications that are directly reaching out” to speak with their office about the incident.
This is not the first time the university has had to respond to its policies on sexual orientation. Last year, former APU professor Adam Ackley disclosed to school officials his desire to change from female to male and as a result left his job. Azusa Pacific received national media attention about the case.
Ackley tweeted Price’s photo showing the explicit note. The tweet said: “An APU student found this greeting on his door the 1st week of classes. Welcome back to @azusapacific. Christian love.”
https://twitter.com/DrHAdamAckley/status/507921551128555521
Ackley is an activist in the LGBTQ community and identifies as transgender.
“Every situation is unique,” White said, adding about the current circumstance that “mistreatment is never acceptable. Words are very important.”
Taylor said there is not a “formula” for how the university responds to these incidents.
“Whether it’s this particular set of circumstances or others, I think we need to remember that there are individuals at the center of circumstances and they deserve our respect and civility, and in student cases, oftentimes privacy,” Taylor said.
While evaluating media in any situation, Taylor said people should examine the information, assessing facts and keeping in mind that individuals are involved in reports’ production.
“Social media and news sites provide one way to evaluate and learn about a situation and none of those channels are exclusive or perfect,” Taylor said. “People need to be comparing and contrasting and assessing the information that’s presented to them.”
Price states that he is not hurt by the writer’s actions but hopes that others may “realize the effects that some things have on people,” especially those who are “less confident in themselves and more ashamed of [their sexual orientation].”
“I love this school more than anything. It’s not APU that’s in the wrong here, it was that person.”
Although the school has policies that he does not agree with, Price states that he has never felt more at home than at APU.
“There’s just so much love on this campus that you don’t get anywhere else, so you might as well take advantage of it while you’re here,” Price said.