2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Philosophy of Rules .................................................................................. 4 I. Why the “Servant’s Staff” ................................................................................... 4 II. Need for Submission to Authority ...................................................................... 4 III. Need for Rules in a Community of Christians ...................................................... 4 IV. Protection of Your Personal Testimony .............................................................. 4 V. When the Rules Apply ........................................................................................ 4 Required Events Calendar ......................................................................... 5 Humility ................................................................................................... 6 I. The Importance of Humility ................................................................................ 6 II. Infractions .......................................................................................................... 6 III. Disciplinary Procedures ...................................................................................... 7 IV. Reporting Procedures ......................................................................................... 7 Virtue ....................................................................................................... 8 I. Socializing ........................................................................................................... 8 II. Display of Affection ............................................................................................ 8 III. Mixed Groups ..................................................................................................... 9 IV. Couples ............................................................................................................... 9 V. Other .................................................................................................................. 9 Deference ............................................................................................... 11 I. Men’s Appearance ............................................................................................ 11 II. Women’s Appearance ...................................................................................... 13 III. Other Appearance Concerns ............................................................................. 14 Discernment ........................................................................................... 15 I. Questionable Activities ..................................................................................... 15 II. Media Policy ..................................................................................................... 16 III. Music Policy ...................................................................................................... 17 Courtesy ................................................................................................. 20 I. Silent Hours ...................................................................................................... 20 II. Residence Hall Noise ........................................................................................ 20 III. Phone/Internet Usage ...................................................................................... 20 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 2 IV. Privacy .............................................................................................................. 21 V. Personal Hygiene .............................................................................................. 21 VI. Personal Differences ......................................................................................... 21 VII. Addressing Staff ................................................................................................ 21 VIII. Dining Hall Etiquette ......................................................................................... 21 Orderliness ............................................................................................. 22 I. Residence Hall Hours ........................................................................................ 22 II. Overnight Leaves .............................................................................................. 22 III. Special Permission ............................................................................................ 23 IV. Organizing Your Surroundings .......................................................................... 23 V. Organizing Your Time ....................................................................................... 24 VI. Involvement in Extra-Curricular Activities ......................................................... 24 Stewardship ........................................................................................... 25 I. Conserving Utilities ........................................................................................... 25 II. Care for School Property .................................................................................. 25 III. Care for Gilmore Gymnasium ........................................................................... 26 IV. Care for Personal Property ............................................................................... 27 V. Care for Personal Health ................................................................................... 27 VI. Care for Emergency Health Needs .................................................................... 28 Hospitality ............................................................................................. 29 I. Make Reservations for Guests as Early as Possible ........................................... 29 II. Make Guests Feel Welcome ............................................................................. 29 III. Fees for Overnight Residence Hall Guests ........................................................ 29 Responsibility ......................................................................................... 30 I. Chapel Attendance ........................................................................................... 30 II. Church Attendance ........................................................................................... 30 III. Devotions ......................................................................................................... 31 IV. Residence Hall Housing ..................................................................................... 31 V. Campus Activities ............................................................................................. 32 VI. Use of Vehicles ................................................................................................. 32 VII. Borrowing ......................................................................................................... 33 Approved Christian Character Assessment .............................................. 34 I. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 34 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 3 II. Purpose ............................................................................................................ 34 III. Standard ........................................................................................................... 34 IV. Procedure ......................................................................................................... 37 V. Appeal Process ................................................................................................. 38 Academics .............................................................................................. 39 I. Academic Direction .......................................................................................... 39 II. Academic Records ............................................................................................ 39 III. Class Attendance .............................................................................................. 40 IV. Absence Penalties ............................................................................................. 43 V. Course Work ..................................................................................................... 45 VI. Procedure for taking Exams or Quizzes Early or Late ........................................ 49 VII. Student Complaint Procedure .......................................................................... 49 VIII. Grades .............................................................................................................. 50 IX. Academic Status ............................................................................................... 51 X. ABC H.E.L.P. Program ........................................................................................ 54 XI. Student Classification ....................................................................................... 56 XII. Graduation ....................................................................................................... 56 XIII. Library Usage Guidelines .................................................................................... 57 GUIDELINES FOR RESPONDING TO MISSING STUDENTS ........................... 59 NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA ................................................ 61 APPALACHIAN BIBLE COLLEGE DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY ................... 62 TITLE IX AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE .............................................................................................................. 65 Mission Statement Appalachian Bible College equips servants through a Biblical Curriculum of quality academics and guided Christian service that nurtures Christ-like character leading to effectiveness in passionately serving the fundamental church community. Purpose Statement Appalachian Bible College exists for the purpose of educating and equipping servants for the church of tomorrow while edifying the church of today. Motto …..Because Life is for Service 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 4 Philosophy of Rules I. Why the “Servant’s Staff” Our student handbook is called the Servant’s Staff. We have chosen this title because we want to provide tools and guidelines (a staff) for the growing Christian (repeatedly in Scripture called a servant of Jesus Christ and His church). The rules governing student life are clustered around certain character qualities because our goal at Appalachian Bible College is to develop Christ-like character (Colossians 1:28, 29), not merely external conformity to regulations. II. Need for Submission to Authority People sometimes find it difficult to submit to authority, but it is necessary for the Spirit-filled Christian to do so. The guidelines in this handbook are not meant to be burdensome; they represent standards to which you are accountable. III. Need for Rules in a Community of Christians Rules are also necessary for orderly community living. When people live together in groups, there must be social guidelines in order to avoid confusion and misguided efforts. We claim no divine inspiration for our rules, in this regard, but we believe that such rules are still necessary and important. Some of these rules may not apply in other circumstances, but we are committed to them for the here-and-now. IV. Protection of Your Personal Testimony As a Christian educational institution, we have some rules to protect your testimony as an individual and our testimony as a college. You may not agree with every policy, but we trust you will see the need to be concerned about the impact of your behavior on others and will willingly work with the college. V. When the Rules Apply All students are under the requirements of this handbook during the school year, whether on campus or off, regardless of the number of hours being taken during a semester. When reading through this handbook, common sense should enable a student to know when a specific rule targets only a residence hall student or a single student. If there is a question whether or not a rule applies only to some students, consult a Resident Assistant or a Student Dean. It is expected of all students, whether residence hall students, married students or commuters, that they observe both the spirit and intent of the rules when off campus. Approval for exception must be obtained in advance from the Student Services Office. 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 5 Required Events Calendar Students enrolled in seven (7) or more class hours are required to attend the events listed below unless individual permission has been granted from the Dean of Students. Event Dress Date All Chapels/Christian Service Meetings Class Dress Mon-Wed-Fri & Class Meetings Convocation Chapel Sunday Dress August 29 All School Reception Sunday Dress August 31 Homecoming Class Dress October 11-12 Missions Conference Class Dress (AM) Oct 22-24 Sunday Dress (PM) Christmas Concert Sunday Dress Dec 8 or 9 Pinter Lecture Series Class Dress Jan 28-30 Anderson Leadership Symposium Class Dress February 18 Day of Prayer Class Dress March 27 Spring Music Festival Sunday Dress April 5 or 6 Awards Chapel Sunday Dress April 24 Work Day Casual April 26 Spring Bible Conference Class Dress (AM) May 2-3 Sunday Dress (PM) Senior Class Program Sunday Dress May 3 Commencement Sunday Dress May 4 IMPORTANT!!!!!!!! Students are to attend classes and Chapel on the days before and after Thanksgiving and Spring Breaks, which begin at 5:00pm. There may be special occasions not listed which may later be required or for which Sunday Dress will be required. Advance notice will be given. 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 6 Humility …is an attitude in relationship to God and to one’s fellow man, which manifests itself in a voluntary subordination to the will of another. “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant, and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 I. The Importance of Humility Humility is the attitude Jesus demonstrated in becoming man and dying on the cross for our sins (Phil. 2:5-11). He voluntarily became subordinate to the will of God the Father in order to provide reconciliation between God and man. Had Jesus not demonstrated humility, there would be no salvation provided for you and me. Likewise, without humility no one can be saved. Repentance toward God regarding our own sinfulness is a necessary prerequisite to saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). After salvation, no one can be a servant pleasing to God apart from humility. Jesus emphasized in Matt. 23:11, 12 that future rewards for service are in accordance with our willingness to humble ourselves. This character trait is vital and is listed first in the Servant’s Staff because the other traits that follow build on the foundation of humility. II. Infractions A. Mutual Responsibility -- It is the responsibility of all students to abide by the rules and policies set forth in the Servant’s Staff, and any further policies that may be handed down by the Student Deans during the academic school year. As an enrollee in this college, you are expected to help create a positive atmosphere on campus by your example of cooperation. 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 7 B. Resident Assistants -- It is the responsibility of Resident Assistants to submit a written record of any infraction of rules, along with a caring word of exhortation and admonition when necessary. These written records of infractions will then be turned in to the Student Deans for their determination as to any disciplinary action that might be taken. A Resident Assistant may also recommend that a “Carefrontation” be given for the infraction, should an improper attitude be displayed towards the Resident Assistant carrying out his responsibility. III. Disciplinary Procedures The Student Deans can render discipline for any infraction (or multiple infractions) in the form of a verbal or written “Carefrontation,” a fine, a work assignment, a temporary room or dorm confinement, a social restriction, a campus restriction, or some other determination. The goal of all discipline will be the enhancement of godly character traits, as defined in this handbook. The Vice President for Student Services may choose to call a Dean’s Council to determine if a student should be suspended from classes, asked to withdraw from the college, or dismissed. The Dean’s Council is usually composed of the Student Deans collectively, a male and female faculty representative, and a male and female student representative from the leadership of Student Council. Any action by a Dean’s Council to dismiss a student can be appealed in written form to the President of the college within 72 hours. IV. Reporting Procedures It is biblical for believers to exhort one another daily regarding the impressions we give one another for good or for bad (Heb.3:13; 10:24). But it is also biblical for believers to place into the hands of the proper authorities matters that should go beyond that of a simple word of exhortation from a fellow student (Heb.13:17). When possible, in such cases, give a student committing such an infraction opportunity to report themselves to a Resident Assistant or Student Dean. If they refuse to do so, report the infraction yourself. 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 8 Virtue …the moral excellence and purity of spirit that radiates from my life as I obey God’s Word. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge.” 2 Peter 1:5 Appalachian Bible College believes that there are direct scriptural commands related to moral conduct, and that as a Bible college we should uphold those standards. The Bible restricts sexual activity to marriage between a man and a woman. Thus fornication, adultery, incest, sexual abuse of a minor, homosexuality, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, and other such activities are forbidden. It is in order to protect purity of Christian testimony in this area that the following guidelines are required. I. Socializing Spending time together with the opposite gender in order to build relationships. Inappropriate locations for socializing are the classrooms, Library and Anderson Hall. This includes the residence hall lounge areas before 5:00 pm on weekdays. Students should avoid any remote or secluded area, on or off campus which includes the Gilmore weight room. Couples are not allowed to be in the vicinity of the Alpine Camp area after dark without permission. II. Display of Affection There is to be no display of affection through physical contact (including holding hands) on the part of non-married couples on or off campus. Students should also avoid situations that arouse suspicion (parked cars, dimly lighted areas, secluded locations, etc.) 2018-19 Servant’s Staff - 9 III. Mixed Groups Three or more persons of both genders gathered together. In general students are permitted to socialize in groups of three or more at all appropriate occasions and appropriate locations, on campus or off campus. Special permission is needed in advance for mixed groups to be in a home by themselves. Mixed groups are allowed overnights only in homes where a parent or dean-approved host is present. IV. Couples Any male and female, dating or non-dating, alone together. This does not include brother and sister, or married student and unmarried student. A. On Campus Socializing by couples in their first semester of residence in college is limited to the following time periods: Monday through Friday: Breakfast 6:45-9:00 a.m. Lunch 11:50 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Supper & Afterwards 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (till Midnight on Fridays) Saturday and Sunday: From Breakfast to Curfew Dating couples must sit apart in the classroom and in chapel services. B. Off Campus Socializing as couples off campus without a third party is not allowed (see exception below). Couples may not travel to church alone or socialize in parked vehicles at any time on or off campus. Couples may not be by themselves in any home. V. Other A. Specifically for Students During Their Third and Following Years (five or more semesters at ABC)