Jul 21, 2014 12:56 PM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Four of the 12 members of Bryan College's board of trustees have resigned, citing the school's change in direction as the reason they left, The Times Free Press reported.

The resignations come amid a dispute over "stricter enforcement" of the Christian liberal arts school's new statement of faith -- which replaced the college's 80-year-old statement of belief, Inside Higher Ed reported.

"The board majority has made it clear who the conductors are on this train and it's time for me to step aside and allow them to carry out their vision with those who are unified behind them," Trustee Jeff Ryan wrote in his letter of resignation, according to The Times Free Press. "A line has been crossed in that I cannot continue to support Dr. Livesay or [board] Chairman Haynes."

Trustees Ryan, Gary Phillips, James Wolf and Mark Senter recently voiced concerns over President Stephen Livesay's leadership, but stepped down this week after failing to convince the other 12 board members that "something needed to change," The Times Free Press reported.

According to Inside Higher Ed, the four trustees were prompted to resign after the board affirmed the recent direction of the college.

The trustees said their resignation had little to do with the change in the school's statement of faith.

"My resignation had to do with leadership, not with doctrine. I did not resign due to any doctrinal disagreement," Phillips' resignation letter said. "The ongoing narrative from the president's office presents interpretations of facts that differ significantly and regularly from what I believe to be true. Second, I do not believe I could contribute anything substantive to the board that would be heard. ... Third, the president indicated that those on the board who do not support his presidency should resign."

The university is in the process of eliminating 20 full-time employee positions, halting retirement contributions for a year, and imposing salary cuts on top administrators as it faces enrollment decline.

These cuts come shortly after some faculty members have already quit in protest over changes made to the evangelical college's statement of faith and as Bryan College grapples with financial woes.

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