A planned campus event at a historically Baptist university in Texas featuring Christian apologists Frank Turek and Corey Miller has been postponed after organizers cited a sharp late increase in security costs and other restrictions. Baylor’s chapter of Ratio Christi, a national Christian apologetics group, had scheduled the keynote for Oct. 5 in Waco Hall with Turek, founder of CrossExamined, and Miller, Ratio Christi’s CEO. The event was ultimately postponed over the weekend.
In a statement shared with CP, a Baylor spokesperson said: “The Ratio Christi fall event was postponed by the student organization due to security costs, which per Baylor University policy are the responsibility of the hosting organization.” According to the university, Ratio Christi failed to submit required documentation for the event “on several occasions,” leading to the last-minute security estimate.
“Upon receipt of the full security estimate, the student organization decided to postpone, rather than work with campus leaders to identify a different and possibly less expensive location,” the university said.
“We understand this is a disappointing outcome for those who were scheduled to speak and attend, and campus leaders stand ready to support our Ratio Christi student leaders on another event in the future, provided appropriate information is shared in a timely manner.” The event was also designated an “expressive activity,” which Baylor Student Activities defines as “any form of organized communication or conduct intended to convey ideas, perspectives, or information.” That classification restricted marketing, limited attendance primarily to the campus community, and imposed other procedural requirements.
While a flyer for the event billed its focus on the questions “Is Christianity true? Is it good?” Turek’s association with Turning Point USA, which was also labeled as “expressive” for its own event at Baylor in April, may have resulted in a similar designation for the canceled appearance.