Student Rights & Code of Conduct

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 life-style, Graceland values and promotes:

• An alcohol-free environment.
• A tobacco-free environment.
• An environment free of substance abuse.
• An environment free of harassment and exploitation in sexual relationships.

The Code of Conduct reflects these values. All members of the Graceland community are expected to abide by all federal, state, and local laws. All members of the Graceland community will refrain from:

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 others' rights.

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

6. Use or possession of firearms, ammunition, fireworks, explosives, incendiary devices, weapons, dangerous substances, drug paraphernalia and/or materials prohibitied 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. Illegal 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.

Lack of mention of any regulation with regard to objectionable actions does not imply approval, and may result in disciplinary action.

Students are expected to comply with the directives of university personnel in performance of their duties. Failure to do so may 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 clear and concise guilt is established. 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.

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 enrolled in Graceland University classes on sites other than Lamoni and Independence will abide by the rules and regulations of the host institution.

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Graceland University will generally handle complaints or concerns of students through the grievance procedure. This procedure is designed to handle situations expediently. Graceland University will handle complaints or concerns with sensitivity, confidentiality, and with respect to the Graceland community. A copy of the grievance procedure is available in the Dean of Students office.

1. PROCEDURE Any member of the Graceland student body who has a complaint or concern may initiate the following informal and formal actions for complaint resolution. All complaints will be handled promptly and treated with as much discretion as practicable. Access of information provided by the complainant will be available only to those persons on a reasonable need-to-know basis.
1. Informal Procedure. The purpose of the informal procedure is to provide an opportunity to mediate a mutually acceptable resolution between the parties. A complainant is encouraged to use the informal procedure prior to a formal complaint process.
1. A complainant may initiate an informal procedure for resolution by contacting the Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, or designee of the Dean of Students for counseling and assistance.
2. In an informal procedure, the university official will counsel the complainant concerning options and, at the complainant’s request, may help the complainant mediate the complaint informally.
3. If the complainant chooses to proceed with an informal complaint, the university official will inform the accused person(s) of the nature of the complaint, identity of the complainant and the actions available. If the complainant chooses not to proceed with an informal or formal complaint, no written record of the complaint will be kept.
4. An informal mediation process must be resolved within seven days. Mediation results are final. The process of complaint, response, and mediation will not normally exceed ten calendar days.
5. A written summary of the informal mediation proceedings will be made and retained by the university official.
2. Formal Procedure.
1. If a complaint cannot be resolved informally or if the complainant chooses to take the complaint through the formal procedure, the complainant may elect to initiate the formal complaint procedure.
2. A formal complaint must be made, in writing, to the Dean of Students or designee of the Dean of Students. The written complaint must include the following information: name, address and telephone number of the complainant; nature of the complaint; date(s) and location of the occurrence; evidence on which the complaint is based and redress sought by the complainant.
3. The Dean of Students or Associate Dean (or other person designated by the Dean) will normally begin an investigation of the complaint within seven days of receipt of the written complaint.
4. The investigation will provide an opportunity for both the complainant and the accused person(s) to submit facts and to identify witnesses to be interviewed. The investigator shall be authorized to interview witnesses identified by any party. Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator will provide a written report of the formal investigation which details the findings and any recommended actions. If the facts are so disputed that the investigator cannot make fact findings, the investigator shall issue a finding of probable cause to institute further proceedings.
5. If the report recommends action against a faculty member that could lead to severe sanctions, including possible dismissal, the investigator shall recommend that the Dean of Faculty initiate the process leading to official hearings in accordance with the principles and procedures specified in the faculty handbook.
6. If the report recommends action against a person who is not a faculty member, the investigator shall recommend that the designated university official initiate official hearings and appropriate procedures as detailed in the Student Handbook or Personnel Handbook.
7. If no probable cause is shown from the investigation, the complainant may appeal, in writing, to the President of the university within 72 hours of the no probable cause finding. The complainant will be notified from the President’s Office in writing of his/her decision.

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