Westminster Theological Seminary - Conduct and Grievance Policy

Campus Policies Regarding Conduct, Grievances, and Safety

Conduct

Student conduct is under the supervision of the Dean of Students, acting in conjunction with the Student Discipline Committee. 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.

Grievance Policy

Purpose
To provide the procedure for students to lodge a complaint regarding issues at Westminster. The 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. Code of conduct issues are addressed in the catalog and are used in responding to grievances expressed within the second context.

Guidelines
There are three basic steps to bringing a grievance to the institution:

In the academic realm:

1. Go to the professor and/or administrator to express the concern.
2. If a third party is necessary the Dean of Students is available to assist.
3. A formal grievance is to put in writing and submitted to the chairman of the department and a copy given to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The same process is to be followed in the non-academic realm:

1. Go to the person or parties and express the concern.
2. The Dean of Students is available to assist.
3. A formal grievance can be put in writing and presented to the Student Affairs Office and addressed through the Disciplinary Committee.

Conclusion
The Student Affairs 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 Students.

Other Policies

Campus Security Policy 2006
Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedure
Policy Regarding Romantic Relationships Between Faculty and Students
Sexual Harassment Policy
User Policy for Technological Resources