By: Jehiely Balabarca
A group of Oakwood University students gathered to protest a new policy last month, according to Student Movement officials.
Approximately 50 to 60 students gathered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Bell Tower located at the center of campus, according to organizers of the demonstration. Student leaders said the demonstration stemmed from dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling and enforcement of a recently implemented Sabbath policy.
A document sent to the university’s students and parents outlines policy changes for the 2025–2026 school year.
“Residential Halls will be closed every Saturday from the hours of 11-2pm,” the documented stated. “As an Adventist University, we believe our day of rest and worship begins at sunset Friday evening until sunset Saturday evening. This time of the week is known as ‘Sabbath.’ Our worship services normally are held on Saturday morning beginning at 11am and normally worship ends around 2pm in most cases.”
According to the student handbook, the policy is enforced through room checks and disciplinary action for those who do not follow the rule.
“If a violation of this policy arises, you will be addressed with love and respect… Repeated infractions will result in progressive disciplinary action, and refusal to adhere to the policy may result in dismissal from the University,” the document states.
Matthew Dormus, a junior public policy major and executive vice president of the United Student Movement (USM), said the protest reflects frustration with how the policy was introduced and applied.
“The student body is unsatisfied with the administration’s handling of the Sabbath policy,” Dormus said.
One student cabinet member, who requested anonymity to keep the focus on the issue rather than on an individual leader, said students identified three primary concerns: perceived gaps in communication between administration and student leadership, the implementation of a policy without what many believed was sufficient student input and concern about how the Sabbath policy has affected students’ spiritual experience and freedom of conscience.
Gabriel Morency, USM president and a senior applied math major with an engineering emphasis, said tensions intensified when details of the policy circulated among students prior to an official announcement. He said student leadership engaged in meetings, town halls and written correspondence with administrators over several months.
Morency acknowledged that some concerns were addressed through compromise, but said dissatisfaction remained.
“I think many students don’t necessarily feel like they know this administration,” Morency said.
Dormus said earlier and more consistent inclusion of student leadership in discussions could have led to better student response.
“I believe providing students a seat at the decision-making table earlier and more frequently could’ve deescalated the matter,” he said.
Despite criticism of administrative decisions, student leaders emphasized that the protest was not rooted in hostility toward university leadership.
“With love do we lift our voices for change,” Dormus said.
University administration has not issued a formal public statement regarding the protest as of publication. The Accent contacted the university for comment but did not receive a response.
