This year PSR opened the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry for work on addressing the theological issues attendant to the sexual orientation. They manifest a tradition of openness to the currents of change, to the listening of the needs and concerns of others, of respect for the others with whom we share this world, and of incorporating the ideas and concerns of others into the framework for the theological work we do here. Third point on the moral compass that gives us insight is our formal yet flexible structures and a discerning reading of the signs of the times. The genius of the GTU from the start has been the idea that collaborations need to be formalized. But institutional structures do not always allow for human life or good ideas to flourish.
Structures can turn into strictures.
The practice of the GTU has been to structure definitively its relationships where necessary with the University of California Library, for instance. With certain UC Departments to offer joint degree programs. With affiliate centers like the Institute for Buddhist Studies, and the Center for Orthodox Studies. But the GTU has also had a keen eye for when not to formalize a relationship. For responding to situations in ways that are appropriate and necessary to what is called for at the time.