Code of Conduct

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As a Christian institution, Graceland University seeks to foster relationships that reflect mutual concern, dignity and individual worth. Consistent with its religious heritage and commitment to a healthful lifestyle, Graceland values and promotes:

• an alcohol-free environment,
• a tobacco-free environment
• an environment free of substance abuse, and
• an environment free of harassment and exploitation in sexual relationships.

Our code of conduct reflects these values. All members of the Graceland community are expected to abide by all federal, state, and local laws. The following behaviors are prohibited:

1. Acts that humiliate, harass, and/or abuse;
2. Theft or damage of property;
3. Disruptive behavior (including but not limited to actions resulting from the influence of alcohol and other drugs);
4. Substance abuse including illegal manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of a controlled substance;
5. Sexual behavior, which is offensive or fails to respect other’s rights.

   In addition, all members of the Graceland community, while on campus or in attendance at University sponsored activities, are prohibited from:

6. Use or possession of firearms, ammunition, fireworks, explosives, incendiary devices, weapons, dangerous substances, drug paraphernalia and/or materials prohibited by law;
7. Possession of or use of alcoholic beverages or their containers;
8. Use, or evidence of use, of tobacco in any form;
9. Gambling;
10. Premarital or extramarital intercourse

We believe that violation of these regulations impinges directly on the rights of others. Cases are referred to either the Vice President for Student Life or the Associate Dean of Students for appropriate disciplinary action and/or referral to the Residence Life Council or the Council on Student Welfare.

Students are expected to comply with the directives of university personnel in performance of their duties. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary sanctions.

The Residence Life Council (RLC) is a committee consisting of the CHP President, Assistants to the Hall Directors and Hall Directors. RLC handles many of the disciplinary problems that occur in the residence halls when the student admits guilt. If there is evidence of use and/or possession of illegal drugs and/or the student is a repeat offender, the case is referred to the Council on Student Welfare (CSW).

The Council on Student Welfare (CSW) is a committee appointed by the President to serve in an advisory and judicial capacity in matters relating to student welfare. To it is delegated the responsibility for maintaining proper standards of student conduct at Graceland University. The Council on Student Welfare expects to accomplish two goals:

• To protect the university from those influences which are not consistent with the spirit, purposes, and/or procedures of the university, and
• To assist student(s) appearing before the Council in understanding the values and behavioral expectation of the university and the subsequent consequences for violation of these expectations.

Copies of the university procedure regarding the Council on Student Welfare are available upon request from the Student Life Office. Students are expected to comply with the directives of university personnel in performance of their duties. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary sanctions.

If you are found in violation of the Code of Conduct, the following is a glossary of some of the sanctions that the Council on Student Welfare (CSW) and the Dean of Students’ Office has the authority to impose. Please read carefully the meaning of any of the sanctions that appear in your letter.

SOCIAL PROBATION

To be placed on social probation means that if you are found in violation of the Code of Conduct during the time period for which you are on probation, the university will take into consideration this violation in dealing with any new referral. Repeat violators of Graceland’s Code of Conduct can be an indicator that a student does not recognize and/or accept the importance of these standards to the Graceland community. Repeat violators may be an indicator that a student is not willing and able to live by these standards.

Directors of programs (including but not limited to athletics, fine arts programs and leadership programs) are being notified when a student is placed on social probation. The opportunity to participate and to represent the university in extra-curricular activities may be limited or withdrawn.

Refer to Violation of Sanctions below.

MONEY FINE AND/OR PAYMENT FOR DAMAGES (RESTITUTION)

Full payment for a nominal fine, (unless otherwise stated specifically in your letter), is due in the Student Life Office within 21 calendar days (three weeks) from the date of your hearing. To violate the 21 day payment deadline places you in violation of a CSW sanction. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

If your sanction letter provides for an option to work off any portion of the fine, arrangements must be completed with the Dean of Students in 7 calendar days (one week) from the date of your hearing. Once the deadline is passed, you cannot exercise the work-off-option. If your sanction letter does not include a deadline date for having completed the work, the Dean of Students will identify a deadline for completing the work-option. To violate the deadline for having completed the work-option places you in violation of a sanction. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

REVOCATION OF VISITATION PRIVILEGES

A loss of visitation privileges means that you may not be in the living areas of the residence halls of the opposite gender, nor may you have a guest of the opposite gender in the living areas of a residence hall of your gender. The Units are included in this restriction. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

BANNED FROM RESIDENCE HALLS

A ban from the residence halls prohibits you from entering any of the residence halls on campus for any reason, unless specific exceptions are allowed in your sanction letter, e.g. for purposes of attending house meetings. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

BANNED FROM CAMPUS

A ban from the campus prohibits you from being on campus for any reason except to attend academic classes, unless specific exceptions are granted by the Dean of Students. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Community service is a donation of your time and effort without compensation. You have the responsibility for arranging, in conjunction with the Dean of Students, an experience that would be of service to the community. Community may be defined as the Graceland community or the larger community. The deadline to make arrangements with the Dean of Students is 7 calendar days (one week) from the date of your hearing. If your sanction letter does not state a deadline date for the completion of the community service, the Dean of Students will identify the deadline date. To violate the imposed deadline will place you in violation of the sanction. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

COUNSELING SESSIONS

You may be referred to counseling and/or assessment by a professional. You have the responsibility of making the appointment with the counselor within 7 calendar days (one week) of the date of your sanction letter. You will also be required to sign a release from that will enable the Dean of Students Office to verify that you have kept your appointment. Full cooperation with the counselor is expected. To violate any deadline with regard to this sanction (including deadlines that may be imposed by your counselor) places you in violation of a sanction. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

PARENT NOTIFICATION

Parent notification sanctions must be completed in 7 calendar days (one week) of the date of your hearing. This sanction is to be coordinated with the Dean of Students. To violate the imposed deadline will place you in violation of the CSW sanction. Refer to Violation of Sanctions.

VIOLATION OF SANCTIONS

You will be in violation of a sanction if you fail to meet the requirements stated in your disciplinary letter. A violation of your sanction is serious. If you are found in violation of a sanction, you will be referred to the CSW and the violation will be considered a new case in and of itself.