Community Support and Redemptive Discipline

Seattle Pacific University seeks to follow the biblical model of discipline as described in Matthew 18:15-18 and Galatians 6:1-2. The purpose of this kind of discipline is redemptive in nature, seeking to reconcile the person to God and to his or her neighbor. It is also progressive, normally beginning with a private conversation between two people (student to student). If those two people cannot resolve the problem, the next level would include consultation with a staff member such as a peer advisor (PA), residence life coordinator (RLC), or a faculty or staff member. If it then cannot be resolved, it will be referred to counseling and/or judicial action by the chief judicial officer or the dean of student life.

When a situation involving a student or student organization appears to violate University policies, rules, regulations, or standards, it becomes the responsibility of the dean of student life, the chief judicial officer or their designees to implement the University's behavioral and disciplinary process. Because the primary goal of the disciplinary process is educational and redemptive, the process is non-adversarial and is not to be considered analogous to court proceedings. Review meetings are not courtroom dramas. They are meetings among community members to give all parties the opportunity to identify concerns, explain perceptions, explore behavior, and hear suggestions. The emphasis is placed on student behavior, and the relationship of behavior to commitments and responsibilities inherent in accepting membership into the University community.

Students alleged to have violated the University's behavioral standards or expectations will be advised of the alleged violation or conduct concern and will be given the opportunity to provide oral and written statements and other relevant information to the chief judicial officer or the dean of student life or their designee(s) as determined by the dean of student life. Students will receive written notice of the outcome of any conduct review meeting or proceeding, including a description of any disciplinary action or sanction. The University may suspend a student immediately if, in the judgment of the University, the student's continued presence on campus or participation in an activity or program presents a threat to the health or safety of the student or to a member of the University community or is otherwise incompatible with the orderly operation of the University.

The University expects students to assume responsibility by fully participating in the disciplinary review process. Students are expected to appear for review meetings or proceedings. If a student fails to appear, the matter may still proceed. Sanctions may be imposed on a student refusing to appear or cooperate. Throughout the conduct process students have the responsibility to present truthful information and conduct themselves courteously.

The sanctions imposed depend upon the particular circumstances of each situation. Sanctions may be imposed singly or in combination, as appropriate to the circumstances of each situation. A student's conduct history will be considered in determining a sanction, as will the nature of the violation. Repeated violations of policy may result in more severe sanctions and may eventually result in the removal of the student from the University. A student's failure to fulfill the terms of an imposed sanction may result in the imposition of more severe sanctions. The types of disciplinary action or sanctions that may be implemented include, but are not limited to, warning, written reprimand, disciplinary probation, suspension (termination of student status for a specified period of time and with specific conditions), or dismissal (termination of student status). In some circumstances the student may also be required to participate in an educational activity; attend counseling; pay restitution or fines; provide community service; transfer to a different residence hall or housing unit; be suspended from housing; lose privileges; be excluded from activities; or be excluded from areas on campus.