Vanguard University students are expected to fulfill their chapel credits with diligence and integrity in the same way they would for all academic requirements. Offices for Spiritual Formation are near Needham Chapel. Our main entrance is accessible via Needham Courtyard. “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face sine upon and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you please.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Student Conduct Process Foundations for Student Conduct Model of Christian Community Conduct Because we are a community, our behavior affects others. Because we are a Christian community, a breach of community standards will be confronted. There are two fundamental biblical principles which direct the exercise of discipline within a Christian community (Eph. 2:19-22; Eph. 4:1-6; l Cor. 12:12-31; Col. 3:1-16): • •
Christian discipline seeks to invite the community to a more fruitful way of living. Christian discipline seeks to be restorative.
Using the Scriptural model, we assume that students will conduct themselves properly by practicing the highest form of discipline, that of self-discipline. Students who have violated University behavioral policies are encouraged to quickly and voluntarily confess and seek the advice and counsel of his/her Resident Director, Director of Residence Life, or the Vice President for Student Affairs. This will allow a truly repentant student to voluntarily discuss his or her violation and may keep disciplinary action to a minimum. In some cases, the advising session will result only in rehabilitative action. If that fails, then members of the Residence Life staff, faculty, the Student Conduct Hearing Officers, and the Vice President for Student Affairs will assume the responsibility to confront anyone falling short of the community's expectations. Student Affairs Mission for Student Conduct Vanguard University provides a community approach to student violations of community behavioral standards and expectations. VUSC’s goal in a disciplinary response to a violation is to assist in the social, behavioral, and spiritual development of students through evaluation in the context of an evangelical Christian worldview. Student Affairs Conduct Process Philosophy All students at VUSC are members of the campus community which upholds specific community behavioral guidelines and expectations. These are designed to serve the best interest of both the individual and the community. Therefore, each individual is accountable to other community members in highly significant ways. Conduct hearing officers exist to provide constructive and consistent confrontation with students who have violated University guidelines. This approach is consistent with the model found in Matthew 18:15-17, which states that individuals should be held accountable, in an effort to bring about growth. In addition, the hearing officers use a restorative and education framework aimed at development. The following principles apply to the student care and conduct process at Vanguard University: •
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Developmental, Restorative, and Educational: The student conduct process is ultimately developmental, restorative, and educational in purpose. Students, staff, faculty, and administrators who serve on conduct committees use this principle as an over-arching motive. Whether making decisions on appropriate consequences, or developing parameters for consequences, they realize the need to make the conduct process a learning and growing experience for all those involved. Christian: The student conduct process is Christian in character. VUSC is concerned with the inner spiritual life and wise decision-making which exemplifies Christ. Further, genuine concern and love serve as the motivation for maintaining a conduct process that is redemptive in nature. Student Individualization: One important goal in the disciplinary process is to affirm that all students are equal, uphold the same value, and should be directly involved in supporting and upholding community standards that are willfully agreed upon by all students upon enrollment in the University. VUSC’s goal is to provide a fair and objective framework from which to guide conduct procedures. However, individual sanctions assigned to students may be different based upon the student’s response and circumstances. Institutional Integrity: The reputation of an organization draws on the integrity of each person. An institutional value stands behind every decision a conduct hearing officer makes. This principle includes the ability of an institution to be
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