UPDATE: Cleanup of Southwest Baptist University Chemical Spill Complete

Has Southwest Baptist University learned anything about how to handle a chemical accident on its campus?

Springfield News Leader Coverage here.

Bolivar Herald Free Press Coverage here.

As Marie was in prayer and meditation this past weekend, again and again an image came to her: A "picture" of a now-retired SBU administrator in the process of deliberately and falsely claiming that Marie's injuries were "only" the result of a "lab accident."

He (the administrator) made these claims repeatedly to individuals inquiring through the Missouri Baptist Convention about the pesticide poisoning and Marie's condition.

That, of course, was not true, because there was no "lab accident" in Maire's case.

Granted, it had been disillusioning to hear a professor/ administrator, for whom Marie had respect and admiration, make these dissembling evasions, masking the truth in order to cover for Southwest Baptist University and its administrators and staff.

But, to be frank, in reality, his remarks, though painful, were hardly memorable in the scheme of the unfathomable misery that followed for Marie, her family, and her friends.

So, why was this image so persistent in Marie's prayerful meditations?

Since Marie had previous experience with these occurrences, she knew it was best -- until she more fully understood the image -- to withhold comment and delay the planned weekend News Announcement.

This Tuesday afternoon (April 29), as emergency vehicles hurried to the Southwest Baptist University campus, Marie received the answer to the image's puzzle: there had been a chemical spill in the Wheeler Science Center.

Thank God no people were seriously injured -- at least as far as is publicly known! However, there was some damage to the facility.

This incident is, indeed, a "lab accident. "

SOUL-SEARCHING, SELF-EXAMINATION HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
for SBU Trustees, Administration, Faculty and Staff

1. Compare and contrast the reaction of the SBU administration and staff in this week's lab accident with SBU's handling of Marie's pesticide poisoning(s) and her subsequent injuries and disability. What provisions were made for the faculty and students' safety in these events? Were emergency medical personnel summoned in each of these events? Were the buildings evacuated? Were possibly-exposed individuals offered access to Material Safety Data Sheets or other relevant information on the possible risk to health and personal wellness from these exposures? Were chemical tests preformed to determine the extent of volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination, the possible incursions of contamination into other parts of the facility through ventilation ducts, and the long-term safety risk of the chemical contamination? Were potentially-injured individuals offered medical care (Reminder: Marie's symptoms were immediate, severe, and potentially life-threatening)? How were these individuals treated by SBU personnel? What information was given to the press, community members, students, students' families, SBU personnel and others?
   
2. In comparison with the handling of this week's lab accident, was Marie O'Hara treated justly during (and following) the life-threatening, "accidental" pesticide poisonings which caused her injuries and disability? Examine this question in the context of the SBU's mission statement, which reads: "Southwest Baptist University is a Christ- centered, caring academic community preparing students to be servant-leaders in a global society."
3. How has the "SBU Family" demonstrated its CORE VALUES in handling Marie's "accidental" pesticide poisoning during these many years? In deliberating this inquiry, please reference the published SBU Core Values Statement, which reads:
   

   CORE VALUES
   

   In fulfilling the University's mission and vision through its strategic planning process, Southwest Baptist University is committed to the following core values: Christian Distinctiveness, Baptist Heritage, Compassion and Care for SBU Family, Academic Excellence, Social and Spiritual Development, Personal Wellness.

These questions (and far more searching questions) will need to be answered by the Southwest Baptist University Family in the coming days -- either in public or private.

Once again, Marie will call upon the individual leaders and members of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar -- many of whom are SBU faculty, staff and administrators -- to play a pivotal role in bringing this situation to a "Christ-centered" resolution.

Additional information will follow in NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS in the coming weeks.


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