Community Expectations

Southern Wesleyan University is committed to community. We believe learning best takes place in the context of community. Our mission involves members of our community-students, faculty, administrators and staff-working “together toward wholeness through the integration of faith, learning, and living.” We believe people become “whole” only as they interrelate to others. For this, we seek to foster community at multiple levels.

The Ideal

The gold standard for community as set forth in the New Testament is “love.” You cannot get around it. It is everywhere as you turn the pages of scripture. We believe God stamped His own image in people. They are deeply loved by God, and consequently, are of inestimable value. This value does not originate with the individual or relate to race, gender, age, personality, talent, beauty or wealth. Rather, worth arises solely from God and is extended equally to all. We are called to a fellowship of love because God loves and esteems each member. Jesus said it well in John 13:34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you…”

The kind of love that truly drives community willingly abandons self-interest for the sake of another. True community is not built by sticking to rules, but by heart attitudes characterized by love. Of course, the ultimate example of this love was Jesus as seen in His death on our behalf (cf. Romans 5:8; John 15:13; and 1 John 4:9-10). Paul describes the centrality of love in community life in 1 Corinthians 13. There he lays out the ideal toward which all members of the university community should aspire. Each member would do well to reflect continuously on his descriptive statements in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a in seeking to be a positive part of the university.

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous;
Love does not brag and is not arrogant,
Does not act unbecomingly;
It does not seek its own, is not provoked,
Does not take into account a wrong suffered,
Does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
Bears all things, believes all things,
Hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. (NASB)

Property

The property of others will be respected within the university fellowship. Destruction, defacement or theft of the physical property of the university or personal property of individuals will not be tolerated.

Protection of property extends to intellectual property as well. Individuals will refrain from “stealing” the words, ideas, or creative work of another. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, passing another’s intellectual output as one’s own work, and inappropriate acquisition and use of copyrighted material without proper permission.

The university’s virtual property accessed through its network, including social media outlets, are also to be respected. University computers, servers and their contents are university property and are not used to retrieve or distribute obscene material; send harassing or abusive messages; engage in illegal computing activities; engage in non-university business or activity; nor to download or copy music, movies, or software in an illegal or unethical manner.

Student Conduct

Members of the community should act respectfully toward one another. They do not take actions with the intent to harm another nor treat another rudely. Nor do they use abusive, foul or profane language or gestures. They listen quietly when another is speaking and avoid personal attacks when debating ideas. Honesty in words and actions is also expected as a means of showing respect.

They do not threaten, harass or demean any member of the community. This includes harassment on the basis of sex, race, disability, nationality, age, or political persuasion. Activity or entertainment that promotes violence, exploitation, discrimination or sexually immoral and degrading practices is to be avoided by community members. Everyone is to feel safe physically and psychologically at the university. Also, for this reason weapons and explosives of any kind, simulated or real, are not permitted at university functions without prior authorization.

The use of language that diminishes or profanes the name of God or otherwise maligns Him is not permitted. The gratuitous denigration of other religious viewpoints is also inappropriate.

While there is room for disagreement in community, such disagreements are handled in a mature fashion without attempts to tear down or embarrass the other party. At all times the dignity of the institution, its policies, and its representatives are to be upheld. Disruptive conduct that interferes with the normal activity of the university is not allowed.

Respect for one’s own person and God’s intended use of the body is also important. Individuals should dress inoffensively and professionally with sensitivity to standards of modesty.

The Wesleyan Church’s stance on gender and human sexuality is biblical, historical, theological, practical and deeply convictional. The University believes that all sexual activity is only expressed privately between a man and a woman in the context of a covenant marriage. Because sexual expression is not merely physical, but deeply involves the mind, spirit and emotions, there is a need for sensitivity and caution at every level of intimacy. Intimate personal relationships between employees may be disruptive to the work environment and may be considered inappropriate behavior. Intimate relationships or sexual expression between employees and students is strongly discouraged and is considered inappropriate. In addition, we believe gender assignment is a beautiful genetic divine prerogative, not indicated by individual choice, and our living, learning and athletic offerings reflect that belief; therefore, students will receive such services in accordance with their birth gender.

In recognition of the holiness of the body and the injunction that it should only be under the control of the Holy Spirit (cf. Eph. 5:18), members shall abstain at all time and places from the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products.

If a member of the community feels he or she or the larger community have been wronged by another, the first action taken is to go privately to the one perceived to be at fault and seek to make things right. If this response does not bring resolution, it is appropriate to bring an administrator into the conversation.

The Student Handbook contains additional information and policies relevant to Student Life.

Student Conduct Process (Non-academic)

Students should report Community Expectations violations to their Academic Online Support Specialist (AOSS) who will forward the report to the appropriate Administrator or School Chair.

The Administrator or School Chair will conduct a preliminary investigation of the alleged violation to determine if a formal discipline process is warranted.

During the preliminary investigation, the Administrator or School Chair may, in his/her sole discretion, interview witnesses and obtain statements concerning the complaint. Actions taken to investigate the complaint during the preliminary investigation are intended to be conducted confidentially to the extent it is practical, appropriate, and permitted by applicable law. However, any of the information provided or obtained during the preliminary investigation may be disclosed if the matter is referred to the Formal Hearing Procedures. The University reserves the right to withhold statements as deemed necessary. If the Administrator or School Chair determines that the complaint does not have merit, the matter is considered closed unless further information becomes available.

If the Administrator or School Chair perceives the matter as a serious violation of Community Expectations and/or infers the possibility of a threat, the violator may be requested not to participate within the community until the matter has been resolved. In this case, the accused will be notified in writing, and the letter should include the following:

Charges or allegations being addressed;
Stipulations for restoration to the community;
Instructions on how to appeal to the next highest authority and appropriate reasons for doing so;
A time limitation for the one in violation to take action and the final consequences if the stipulations for restoration are not met.

Disciplinary Appeals

Following discipline at any level, students are guaranteed the right to one appeal to the next highest level of authority. The appeal must be made in writing within 48 hours (2 business days) after receiving written notification of the disciplinary action, and the burden of proof is the student’s responsibility. The letter of appeal must be based on at least one of the following:

Significant or relevant new evidence;
Procedural error;
There is bias in the decision.

The appeals process includes an opportunity for the student who initiated the discipline to state and to defend his or her position to the next highest level of authority hearing the appeal, and the decision is final. Disciplinary appeals shall be made as follows:

Disciplinary action by a Department Coordinator is appealed to the School Chair, who responds within five business days after receiving the written letter of appeal.
Disciplinary action by a School Chair is appealed to the Provost, who responds within five business days after receiving the written letter of appeal
Disciplinary action by the Provost is authoritative and there is no further appeal.

Disciplinary Outcomes

There could be a variety of decisions regarding discipline for Community Expectations violations by students:

Admonition/Warning - Generally, this is a response given to students as a result of a minor first-time offense. Students are sent a letter regarding the details of the violation, and a copy is placed in the student’s record.
Restitution - This sanction requires a submission of payment of fees made payable to the University as reimbursement for the costs of violations such as vandalism or intentional damage, and / or destruction of University property. The amount of restitution varies according to the property damaged or vandalized.
Interim Suspension - Suspension is placed in effect until after stipulations for restoration to the community have been met, or until a disciplinary hearing is held for the student who has alleged charges against him or her. This type of suspension is usually released pending a satisfactory resolution or when the outcome of the disciplinary hearing has been determined. Suspension of this type is usually temporary unless the student is found in violation, which requires continued or immediate suspension.
Indefinite Suspension - Dismissal or suspension from the University to be served for an indefinite period of time while legal action is pending. This type of suspension is usually released pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing or any pending legal proceedings. Suspension of this type is usually temporary unless the student is found in violation or charges are upheld legally. This sanction can also be placed upon a student if he/she fails to comply with guidelines rendered from the University and be released if the student complies.
Private Withdrawal - In light of basic principles of the University, any student whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interests of the University, whose overall influence is negative to campus morale, whose attitude is persistently antagonistic toward others, whose academic performance is regularly delinquent or whose stay in the University seems to be of small personal benefit or hostile to others, may be confronted by University personnel and given an opportunity to address such concerns. If not addressed to the satisfaction of the University, such a student may be given the option to withdraw privately or may be dismissed without formal charges.
Suspension/Dismissal - Dismissed for a period of time, no less than 6 months. The student in violation may not return to campus except to conduct official business with an administrative officer or faculty member, and then only with permission from the Provost. Readmission is at the sole discretion of University officials.
Expulsion - A student is permanently excluded from the University. A written record is placed in the student’s file. The student will receive academic credit only for courses already completed at the time of dismissal.
Other - The University reserves the right to implement other disciplinary responses as appropriate. Examples may include a character, spiritual or educational assignment, community service, mandatory counseling and/or rehabilitation as deemed necessary.