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Oklahoma Wesleyan University has announced that it will no longer affiliate with the 120-member Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.  In terminating its membership with CCCU, Oklahoma Wesleyan joins Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, which announced it was dropping out of the council on August 3, 2015.

Oklahoma Wesleyan President, Dr. Everett Piper, says Oklahoma Wesleyan has determined it is not in the university's best interest to continue to affiliate with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. According to Piper, the council's ambivalence in deciding the status of two member institutions that have advised CCCU they will permit same-sex couples to be employed as faculty members indicates that it is time for Oklahoma Wesleyan to move in a different direction. Piper stated the university's leadership believes in missional clarity and view the defense of the Biblical definition of marriage as an issue of critical importance to Christian colleges.

Piper said he would confer with other like-minded colleges that are, or have been, members of CCCU, including Union, to determine the best manner to proceed apart from CCCU.  Piper points to the long-time relationship with the CCCU.  He says the decision was difficult but the university has the support of its faculty, staff, and trustees and he is confident the step is necessary.