This week, the University will finally understand the meaning of the question written in chalk along campus sidewalks and in countless classrooms: “Do you agree with Ryan?”
The name behind the campaign is Ryan Schmid, starting center for Oregon’s football team, a junior business administration major and active member for the international organization Campus Crusade for Christ.
“Ryan Week” is a week for Christian students on campus to proclaim their faith in Christ. Starting today, 250 supporters will wear red shirts presenting the message, “I agree with Ryan.”
Then, wearing a shirt labeled “I am Ryan,” Schmid will share his story at noon Tuesday in the EMU amphitheater.
“Anyone could do it,” said Schmid. “It is not me as a person. It’s just a name on a T-shirt to spark interest and get people to think about Jesus.”
On Wednesday, several student-run groups will be available to answer students’ questions. Campus Crusade will also have a booth at the University’s street fair Wednesday through Friday to answer more questions about “Ryan Week” and Crusade/Christian information.
“The overall purpose is to create a discussion about who Jesus is on campus,” said Mike Alverts, the coordinator for the event and staff member of Campus Crusade.
To prepare for the event, members of various Christian groups packed 180 PLC Thursday to receive their T-shirts and training from youth leaders regarding how to handle the student reaction to “Ryan Week.”
Alverts said the goal is not to evangelize but to inform the public and allow Christians to be seen together on campus.
“Students will articulate what they believe and why God matters to them,” Alverts said.
Schmid said Tuesday’s open forum in the amphitheater will be an opportunity for him to share why he believes in Jesus.
“I expect people to object, but we are not out there to argue with people,” he said. “We are just raising the question for people to consider Jesus.”
Alverts said the athlete’s reputation was not a factor in choosing Ryan to represent this mission. Schmid said the focus is not on him as a person but on his belief in Jesus.
“Ryan was willing,” Alverts said, adding that Schmid was chosen because of his character, respect from his peers and his ability to articulate his thoughts effectively.
“Ryan Week” involves and is sponsored by Christian groups at the University including: Navigators, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, Athletes in Action, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ, Collegiate Christian Fellowship, Asian Christian Fellowship, Baptist Student Union, Onyx House and Young Life.
The groups are promoting five statements of faith, which include the concepts that people have a soul, there is right and wrong, God exists, heaven and hell are real and that people need help.
“I think it is really wonderful to see Christians from all different denominations coming together as one to show their love for Jesus Christ,” said Rose Scrutton, a freshman pre-business major and member of Campus Crusade.
The project started last year at Humboldt State University in California. University of Arizona tried a program similar to “Ryan Week” and it was met by a mixed reaction by the campus, Alverts said. The “Do you agree with Ryan?” campaign has been limited to the University. Other schools have had similar programs, such as Arizona’s “Do you agree with Dave?” campaign. Schmid said the students at Oregon have taken Arizona’s ideas and adapted the program with the hope that it will be successful.
There have been anti-Ryan sentiments, however, answering the question in a variety of negative ways. In response to the “Do you agree with Ryan?” messages chalked up around campus, other slogans, such as “Ryan equals death” have been drawn on streets and sidewalks.
“It is just a week for people to question who they are and what they believe, and who and what they agree with,” said Julie Chang, a Campus Crusade member and senior majoring in marketing and education.
Alverts said the week will be a time for students to challenge stereotypes such as a lack of evidence that Christ performed miracles and create a platform for a topic that he thinks is not addressed enough on campus.