Student Conduct
In keeping with the distinctive Christian nature of our community, Spring Arbor University establishes the following lifestyle expectations and standards. It should be noted that this list is considered a baseline and is not necessarily comprehensive in nature. The University faculty and administration reserve the right to confront and address other behaviors that are compounding in nature and/or viewed as dangerous, destructive, unbiblical, or inconsistent with the Spring Arbor University mission.

1. The University fully expects all of its students to abide by the legal standards of the county, state, and federal governments. Therefore, the illegal use, possession or distribution of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is prohibited.

2. In addition, Spring Arbor University also recognizes that our evangelical Christian community has specific expectations of the traditional campus-offered programs. Within this context students enrolled in these programs are obligated to abstain from the use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or tobacco on or off campus. (Containers and other related paraphernalia may be considered sufficient evidence of possession.) The University does reserve the right to address the older adult (professional, parent, etc.) who resides off campus on an individual basis.

3. All Spring Arbor University students enrolled in non-traditional academic programs are required to refrain from the use of tobacco products and alcohol while on campus or in extension facilities.

4. All students, regardless of age, residency, or status are required to abstain from any involvement in or promotion of premarital, extramarital, or homosexual relationships while on or off campus.

5. Gambling, pornography, immodesty, profanity, crude, vulgar, or offensive language, and disrespectful behavior, such as gossip, dishonesty, and malice are also viewed as inappropriate behavior for all students. It should also be noted that neither the University nor any entity of the University or University resources may be used to sponsor social dances on or off campus.

6. Students are expected to be modest in their attire. Men are expected to wear shirts in the vicinity of campus housing, classroom facilities, Chapel, and the Dining Commons. Women should abstain from wearing strapless, single strap, or spaghetti strap tops, as well as any clothing that exposes their midriff. Any other modesty concerns may be addressed by university faculty or staff.

7. Finally, because Spring Arbor University promotes community cooperation and interpersonal respect, all students are required to abstain from hosting, promoting, or being part of scenarios whereby any fellow student is encouraged or given the opportunity to violate the letter or the spirit of the aforementioned standards and expectations.

University Disciplinary Process
The purpose of discipline is to assist individuals within the community to grow personally and to help the University community maintain an environment conducive to growth.

The philosophy of Spring Arbor University is that discipline problems are most effectively and efficiently handled at the lowest possible level. We follow the redemptive Biblical model found in Matthew 18:12-17, a process that starts with confrontation in a private counseling relationship with peers and/or residence hall staff.

In some situations the Student Development Discipline Committee (SDDC) may become involved. In such cases there will be a disciplinary hearing scheduled between the respective student and the committee when an infraction has been reported. The respective student will receive oral or written notification as to when and where the hearing will take place.

One or more of the following disciplinary actions may be taken with regard to any rule or policy violations at the University:

• Confrontation/Counseling. The student is contacted personally and an informal discussion is held about behavior or attitudes.
  
• Corrective Restitution. The student is required to make restitution by some prescribed means for irregularity in conduct. This may take the form of a fine, work obligation, papers, or prescribed interview sessions.
  
• Probation. Probation will result in a growth contract that may include all or any of the following:

  -- a mentoring relationship with a faculty/staff member
  -- community service
  -- counseling
  -- restitution, i.e. payment or service
  -- volunteer service
  -- loss of extra-curricular or co-curricular privileges (Students involved in leadership activities such as Student Association, drama, choir, sports, ministry teams, music teams, etc. may forfeit a certain percentage of their participation and/or stipend.)
  -- suspension of automobile privileges

The University reserves the right to notify parents of any probation case

Dismissal
The student's enrollment will be terminated and he/she will be required to leave campus within 24-48 hours after the dismissal is announced. The University reserves the right to require the student to leave the campus immediately if it is deemed appropriate. The student may reapply for admission in the term following the one from which he/she was dismissed. The parents of the student will be notified of the student's status. Tuition and room and board costs will be forfeited as specified by the University's refund policy (see Business Office for details.)

• You must initiate the contact. Once you have been confronted and/or formal discipline has begun, your situation can no longer be addressed within the concept of the Growth Initiative.
• You must sign a behavior contract with the Vice President for Student Development. This contract will specify the behavior changes you wish to make, the obligations you have to the University and/or selected mentors, and the type of assistance you will receive from the University in accomplishing your goals for change. Your ongoing behavior must not be in violation of the aforementioned contract. If it is, you may be subject to formal discipline, i.e., probation, suspension or dismissal.
  

It is Spring Arbor University's desire to respect the integrity of the student who has initiated a request for help. Therefore, the Growth Initiative is designed to provide such support as opposed to responding with punitive discipline. It should be noted that in cases where behavior is repetitive, self-destructive, hazardous to others, or of significant legal issue, the University may respond accordingly. Depending upon the behavior in question, the University reserves the right to require the person to enter a professional setting where adequate help is available. Also, it may be the case that, because of the nature of certain behaviors, specific consequences may be unavoidable even when a Growth Contract is initiated. Student leaders, because of their community responsibilities, may be asked to take leave from their leadership role while on a Growth Contract.

Fair and Impartial Process
It is Spring Arbor University's desire to treat all students equitably when there is a situation that warrants confrontation which could lead to a disciplinary response. All students will receive a fair and impartial hearing, an oral and/or written summary of the reported behavioral infraction, and a written determination of the case in question. Students, as noted, do have the right to appeal official disciplinary decisions.

Inquiries pertaining to Spring Arbor University's compliance with state and federal non-discrimination regulations should be directed to the Director of Human Resources.

1. The appeal must be made in writing and delivered to the Vice President for Student Development within 48 hours after the student has been informed of the discipline decision.

2. The statement must specify the basis for the appeal (the only grounds for an appeal are errors arising from limited knowledge of the facts or from bias).

3. The Vice President for Student Development will serve as the person responsible for disseminating all appropriate files and information to the committee or administration hearing the appeal.

4. The student must be available for an official hearing with the appropriate administration and/or Judicial Council within 48 hours of issuing his or her written appeal.

B. The route of appeal follows:

1. You may appeal the actions taken by an R.A., R.D., or SDDC to the Vice President for Student Development.

2. You may appeal actions taken by or upheld by the Vice President for Student Development to the President of the University. (You must initiate this appeal with the Vice President for Student Development as stated above in A.1.)

C. Curricular, extra-curricular and co-curricular privileges and activities are forfeited during the appeal process.

D. The Judicial Council functions in an advisory capacity. If the student wishes to have this committee review a decision or a case in question, this may be requested through written notification through the Vice President for Student Development. The committee can then recommend certain actions to the Vice President for Student Development.

E. The Vice President for Student Development will notify the student of the final decision of the appeal process.

F. After the student has exhausted all appeals or has failed to follow appropriate appeal procedures, the disciplinary decision then becomes final.