Introduction 3: General Policies

The following examples of violations of the Biola Community Standards are not exhaustive but are intended to give a student an idea of the types of behaviors that may result in disciplinary action:

1. Violation of published University policies, rules, or regulations. Published University policies, rules, or regulations include:

a. Biola University Student Handbook

b. Biola University Catalog

c. Housing and Food Services Contract and Residence Halls Housing Handbook

d. Campus Safety Handbook

e. Biola Network Usage Policy

f. All other official Biola University publications

2. Violation of Federal, State, or local law (see “Violation of Law”).

3. Dishonesty in any form, including but not limited to: plagiarism, cheating on assignments or examinations, knowingly furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, records, or identification cards. See the policy statement on “Academic Integrity” for more information.

4. Inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to:

a. Drunkenness, disorderly, lewd or indecent behavior;

b. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, and other University activities, including its public-service functions on or off campus, or other authorized non-University activities when the activity occurs on University premises;

c. Bullying: Actions, language (verbal, written, or images), technological communication (texting, cell, social media) that contain, imply, or are perceived as: threatening, humiliating, intimidating, harmful, stalking, hateful, violent or that create a hostile environment directed toward anyone will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Some behaviors of bullying may also be considered unlawful harassment or discrimination. In compliance with local and national non-discrimination laws and regulations, these actions will be processed according to the Title IX: Harassment Policy.

d. Unnecessary or loud noise, particularly between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am (also a violation of La Mirada city ordinances).

5. The attempt to obtain, use, possess, distribute, or sell any amount of any drug or other substance used with the intent of becoming impaired/intoxicated, or drug-related paraphernalia is strictly prohibited (including marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes). Anyone involved in the sale or distribution of any such drugs or substances on or off-campus should expect to be dismissed.

6. Gambling, betting, or any lotteries, games, or raffles that require the staking or risk of money or objects of value. A person engages in gambling if s/he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his/her control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that s/he or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.

a. No displays of any kind that promote or encourage gambling or betting are permitted. Examples include casino or betting parlor advertisements or clothing.

7. Failure to comply with written or verbal directives of University officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties, and/or failure to provide identification to a University official upon request.

8. Failure to comply with requests to meet given by Student Development professionals as it pertains to Student Care and Conduct related issues.

9. Authorizing your student ID card to be swiped by another individual and/or swiping a student ID card other than your own.

10. Soliciting or advertising without prior approval from the Office of Student Development or another appropriate University office. See the policy statement on “Advertising and Posting” for more information.

11. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination. See the policy statements on “Discrimination & Sexual Harassment,” and “Sexual Assault” for more information.

12. Sexual activity outside of a marriage between husband and wife, including but not limited to, premarital, extramarital or same-sex behavior. See the policy statement on “Sexuality & Relationships” for more information.

a. If a pregnancy occurs, the University is committed to supporting both the father and mother of the child. See the policy statement on “Sexuality & Relationships” for more information.

13. Persistent or exaggerated examples of cross-dressing.

14. Exhibition, possession, or distribution of material or representations deemed to be obscene or contrary to the moral standards and/or mission of the University, including, but not limited to, pornography. Further, the use of institutional or personal computers for the viewing, transmission, retrieval and/or storage of such material is a violation of University community standards and will result in disciplinary action. See the policy statement on “Sexuality & Relationships” for more information.

15. Smoking on or off campus; possession or use of any tobacco products (e.g. cigarettes, snuff, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaporizers). See the policy statement on “Alcohol and Other Drugs” for more information.

16. Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization. See the policy statement on “Hazing” for more information.

17. Participation in student organizations not recognized by the University.

18. Possession of Unauthorized Weapons or Firearms: The possession or use of any type of weapon on Biola's campus is prohibited. Weapons include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, air guns, spear guns, blow guns, airsoft guns, paint pellet guns, martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, crossbows, swords, knives, batons, clubs, TASERS, stun guns, and explosives of any type. Anyone found in possession of any unauthorized weapon on campus may be subject to disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

19. Unauthorized entry to or use of University premises or property and/or unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any University premises.

20. Attempted or actual theft of, and/or damage to, property of the University or property of a member of the University community or other personal or public property.

a. This includes vandalism, disrespect, destruction, or defacement of University property.

b. The cost of repairs for damaged University facilities will be the responsibility of the student or group using them.

21. Unauthorized access, theft or other abuse of technology and computers, including but not limited to:

a. Unauthorized entry into a file to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose;

b. Unauthorized transfer of a file;

c. Unauthorized use of another individual's identification and password;

d. Interference with the work of another student, faculty member, or University official.

e. Illegal uploading or downloading and/or use of copyrighted material, including but not limited to copyrighted music, television broadcasts, or motion pictures.

See the policy statement on “Technology” for more information.

22. Misuse of disciplinary procedures, including but not limited to:

a. Falsely reporting misconduct knowingly and with intent to harm.

b. Failure to respond to the summons of a University official.

c. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a disciplinary body.

d. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a disciplinary proceeding.

e. Attempting to discourage an individual‘s proper participation in, or use of, the disciplinary system.

f. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a disciplinary body prior to, and/or during the course of, the disciplinary proceeding.

g. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a disciplinary body prior to, during, and/or after a disciplinary proceeding.

h. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by a disciplinary body.

23. Tampering with, unlawfully activating, or removing fire equipment is a misdemeanor and subject to fines or time in jail. These include automatic door closers, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms. Violating state and local fire code, and offenses such as pulling of fire alarms, and propping open fire doors (except in case of emergency), are subject to fines or other sanctions.

24. Use of skateboards/rollerblades/rollerskates and other similar devices on campus.

25. Burning candles or incense without special permission from the Office of Campus Safety or member of the Residence Life staff.

26. Possession of fireworks is against campus policy and is also a violation of city ordinances.