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Student Conduct Process (Graduate)

Violation Of Law And University Discipline

The University reserves the right to review actions taken by civil authorities regarding any student or student organization. University disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law and may, at the sole discretion of the University, be carried out prior to, concurrently, or following civil or criminal proceedings. Violations occurring during non-enrolled periods may be considered by the University in determining whether a student will be eligible to continue his/her enrollment in the University and, if so, under what conditions.

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Reporting Misconduct

Anyone may report a suspected violation of the Biola Community Standards by contacting the Office of the School Dean. The person reporting the violation may be asked to submit a written report. The report should be a brief written statement citing the section of the Standards allegedly violated and providing a summary of the facts deemed to constitute a violation. Reports should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place; however, the University reserves the right to take action against an individual for violating the Standards regardless of how much time has passed since the incident. Students living in the residence halls may also notify their Resident Director or Resident Assistant. For any campus emergency, call x5111 (from a campus phone) or (562) 777-4000 (from cellphone). Students who knowingly make a false report of misconduct are in violation of University policy.

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Student Discipline

In certain instances, a suspected violation of the Biola Standards of Conduct may be referred to the Dean, or to his or her designee, for appropriate action. At his or her discretion, the matter may be delegated to an Adjudicator. Disciplinary sanctions are based upon the nature and severity of the issue. The Dean of the school in consultation with the VP of Student Development or their designee will direct the process.

The Adjudicator shall gather and review all the relevant information on the situation, make a determination, and notify the student of any sanctions to be imposed.

It is also important to note that in respect to disciplinary proceedings, formal rules of evidence are not followed, and past conduct may be considered in the discipline process. No particular model of the procedural process is required; however, the Adjudicator will attempt to structure the procedure so as to facilitate a reliable determination of the truth and be fair and reasonable.

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Sanctions

Violation of University policies, including the Biola Graduate Student Standards of Conduct, may result in the imposition of one or more of the sanctions listed below. A sanction is a disciplinary action that requires the student to meet certain expectations and/or complete specific requirements within a stated time frame. Sanctions that may be imposed are not limited to those listed. In certain limited situations, University officials may impose a sanction but suspend or postpone its actual implementation.

Sanctions affecting the conduct of students are based on general principles of fair treatment. Sanctions will take into account the intent of the accused, the effect of the conduct on the victim and/or University community, the student‘s disciplinary history, whether sanctions such as education and community service are likely to change the student‘s conduct, and the student‘s needs and prospects for improvement. While attempting to be consistent in its disciplinary decisions, the University also seeks to be fair and sensitive to the facts and circumstances of each individual case. Some sanctions may need to be more punitive due to the seriousness of the offense.

Therefore, administrators responsible for disciplinary actions will seek to combine a Biblical and developmental approach to the student care process. It is important that we see ourselves as fellow sinners in need of God’s grace, and to encourage the whole campus community to remember Christ’s example of offering hope rather than condemnation.

Sanctions include, but are not limited to:

  1. Warning: A restatement of the Biola Graduate Student Standards of Conduct is made to the student, together with an official warning concerning future behavior. May include loss of or restriction from certain activities or privileges.
  2. Campus Community Service: Created to emphasize an educational response toward discipline. Students within the disciplinary process who are deemed good candidates for campus community service, as a means to make restitution for their behavior, are assigned an on-campus service project.
  3. Fines: Payment of charges for violation of regulations. These charges will be added to a student’s account. These vary according to the violation.
  4. Probation: The student is expected to show development in responsible actions toward Biola and members of the community for a specified period of time. May include limitations in or restriction from certain activities or privileges.
  5. Restitution: Payment of financial compensation for loss, damage or injury. Failure to pay such charges may result in additional sanctions (including, but not limited to, denial of re-enrollment or refusal to release official transcripts and records).
  6. Interim Suspension: In certain circumstances, the Dean or a designee may immediately impose a University or residence-hall suspension. Interim suspension may be imposed:
    1. to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the University community or preservation of University property;
    2. to ensure the student's own physical or emotional safety and well-being, or
    3. if the student poses a credible threat of disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the University.
    4. During the interim suspension, the student will be denied access to the residence halls and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other University activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Dean or the designee may determine to be appropriate. The interim suspension shall extend only until such time as adjudication (see above) can be completed and other sanctions (if any) imposed.
  7. Suspension: The student is involuntarily separated from the University for a specified length of time. Absences from classes and chapels are not excused and academic work that is missed may not be made up.
  8. Administrative Withdrawal: The student is required to withdraw from the University without the privilege of returning until a time specified by the Dean, or his or her designee.
  9. Expulsion: The student is permanently separated from the University with a notation of the reasons for the termination in his/her file. No refunds are made and the student will suffer the academic consequences of his/her actions.
    1. When students are suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons, there will be no refund of tuition or room charges for the semester and financial aid may be canceled. Upon permanent separation from University housing, students may apply to Auxiliary Services for unused board charges.
  10. Sanctions for Student Organizations: Student groups and organizations may be charged with violations of these Biola Graduate Student Standards of Conduct. A student group or organization and its officers may be held collectively and/or individually responsible when violations of this code occur either during an event sponsored by the organization or by an individual representing or associated with that organization or group. The following sanctions may be imposed upon groups or organizations: deactivation, warning, reprimand, probation, fines, loss of privileges, restitution, and other educational sanctions. Deactivation includes loss of all privileges, including University recognition, for a specified period of time. Individual students are subject to other sanctions as described above.

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