AU has affiliation with UNITED METHODIST CHUrCH. what does that mean?

<p>???</p>

<p>nothing... AU is very diverse... many religions and organizations are represented here at campus... for example there is a large jewish population... and there is a place for me and other jews to go for sabbath services</p>

<p>Probably nothing considering the school is extremely liberal.</p>

<p>For most schools that have a United Methodist affiliation, the tie is mostly historical these days. However, again in most cases, the church does subsidize the salary and assign a minister to be a chaplain on campus, and if a professor also happens to be an ordained Methodist minister, they are able to maintain their "connection" with the church (which is important for their retirement). The United Methodist Church is fairly liberal, and it would be highly unusual for a conference to try to dictate any on-campus policies.</p>

<p>We just got back from AU, and I did notice that last year there had been some discussion about whether to continue with Starbucks or go with a fair trade coffee provider. The chaplain had made a statement that in keeping with the United Methodist Social Principles, a fair trade coffee provider should be chosen. He did not (and does not), however, have any authority to impose the Social Principles of the church...AU still has a Starbucks but also has a coffee shop that provides fair trade coffee.</p>

<p>Basically, you'll see the United Methodist connection if you look for it, but it won't be in your face.</p>

<p>...actually AU doesn't have a starbucks.. megabites (like a little cafe on campus) serves starbucks coffee... but AU doesn't have an offical stuckbucks coffee shop on campus</p>

<p>Thanks for the clarification. I was writing without the chaplain's newsletter (from last year) in front of me, so I was not as clear as I should have been on all the details. My bad :( ...</p>