Conduct, Grievances, and Safety

Purpose
To provide the procedure for students to lodge a complaint regarding issues at Westminster, our desire is for students to know they have a voice on the peer level as well as the institutional level. As a seminary, the ultimate purpose is to honor Christ in how Christians deal with their differences and disappointments. The general guidelines will follow the biblical mandates given in Matthew 18 as to how to process concerns personally and corporately.

Context
There are two primary contexts in the Seminary within which complaints are lodged. One is the area of academic and/or administrative concerns. In this context, policies and procedures that deal with academic concerns and financial issues will be addressed.

The second context has more to do with things that involve the community as a whole. This context would include attitudes and actions that affect individuals or groups within the campus community.

Conduct

Student conduct is under the supervision of the Dean of Student Development and Alumni Support. The institution reserves the right to dismiss from the institution a student whose conduct is found to be unsatisfactory.

Unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on school property, or as part of any activity of Westminster, is forbidden and will result in dismissal. Smoking is not permitted in any Seminary building. The use of alcoholic beverages on campus is not permitted. Firearms are prohibited on campus. For other specific questions regarding conduct, the Seminary refers to the Westminster Standards, as based on Scripture, as a standard for behavior.

Academic Grievance Policy

An academic appeals process exists to resolve any academic problem that cannot otherwise be settled in a Biblical manner and assures fairness to all parties concerned.  

1. The student should first go to the professor and/or administrator to express the concern.
2. If a third party is necessary, the Dean of Student Development is available to assist.
3. If the issue is still unresolved, the student should submit a written appeal to the Academic Dean regarding the issue.  Depending on the issue, the Academic Dean may request input from the Faculty.  The Academic Dean will render a written decision. 
4. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Academic Dean, then the student may submit a subsequent written appeal to the President requesting a hearing. The President in consultation with the Academic Dean and Faculty Moderator may or may not grant the request.  If granted, the President will appoint an ad hoc committee of faculty to hear the case. This committee is authorized to meet with any or all concerned parties to resolve the issue and will render a written decision concerning the case. 
5. The decision of the President or the ad hoc committee is considered final, subject only to review by the Educational Outcomes Committee of the Board to affirm that the appeals process was properly observed.

Non-Academic Grievance Policy

Guidelines

For all general grievances not covered under other campus policies, a similar process outlined above is to be followed in the non-academic realm:

1. Go to the person or parties and express the concern.
2. If the issue is still unresolved, the student should submit a written appeal to the Dean of Student Development regarding the issue. Depending on the issue, the Dean of Student Development may request input from the Committee of Three, which will render a written decision.      
3. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Committee of Three, then the student may submit a subsequent written appeal to the President requesting a hearing. If granted, the President will appoint an ad hoc committee of faculty to hear the case. This committee is authorized to meet with any or all concerned parties to resolve the issue and will render a written decision concerning the case. 
4. The decision of the President or the ad hoc committee is considered final, subject only to review by the Educational Outcomes Committee of the Board to affirm that the appeals process was properly observed.

Conclusion
The Student Development Office is to be seen as the umbrella for addressing all complaints. Information regarding the process of filing a grievance and an informal context to discuss the issue are important beginnings to the process.

The Student Association is also available to hear concerns of the students regarding issues. The representatives of the Student Association can be contacted to more formally present such concerns to the Dean of Student Development.

Other Policies

Campus Security Policy
Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedure
Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Policy
User Policy for Technological Resources
Policy for Addressing the Academic Needs of Students with Disabilities