Student Discipline and Appeals

As noted earlier in the Community Life Statement, Asbury University is committed to a community life which is characterized by both redemption and discipline. While these concepts may seem contradictory to some, we believe they go hand in hand to achieve mature and responsible growth in individuals. The purpose of discipline in the life of a Christian is to develop a consistent walk with Jesus Christ which draws others toward a relationship with Him as well.

Restoration

The goal of the discipline process is individual redemption and the restoration of damaged relationships. The process for repairing a breach in a relationship varies from situation to situation depending on circumstances. Even in situations in which temporary separation of a student from the University is necessary, steps to restore the relationship will be established.

Discipline

Discipline in the Christian community should take several forms. First, each individual should discipline himself or herself in such a way as to be in harmony with the community. Secondly, individuals should confront one another privately in love and gentleness with a goal of restoring others to a right relationship within the community (Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 6:1-2).

• Informal Discipline: Informal discipline is intended to produce restoration and reconciliation within the community. All members of the community should strive to nurture the community through informal discipline motivated by a heart of love.
  • Help and/or Forgiveness: Students are encouraged to be accountable and responsible for their actions. Students who, prior to any administrative knowledge of an indiscretion or violation, come to a Resident Director, Associate Dean, or the Vice President for Student Life for help and/or forgiveness will receive help and/or forgiveness as deemed appropriate by the administrator. This “growth initiative” will require the individual to forsake the activity or violation which has created the rift and take the necessary steps for restoration.

• Formal Discipline: However, there are times when formal discipline becomes part of the redemption process. The intention of these procedures is to draw one back into the community with the least disruption within the community. These formal discipline procedures will be applied in a consistent and fair manner which will afford interaction between the individual and the institution. Formal discipline may include one or more of the following:
  • Incident Notice: A documented statement of the standard violated with an official warning.
  • Fines: May be levied for community standard violations (plus restitution, if applicable). Fines are to be paid in cash.
  • Disciplinary Warning: A disciplinary status in which the student is given specific terms by the Resident Director and/or Associate Dean for Community Life, which may include community service, mentoring, fines and/or a growth contract.
  • Disciplinary Probation: A disciplinary status which permits students to remain in school under specific terms designated by the Associate Dean for Community Life and/or the Vice President for Student Life. A student who is on disciplinary probation may not represent the University in any manner or hold any class, club or student body office.
  • Suspension: An action by the Vice President for Student Life or Associate Dean for Community Life which separates the student from the University for a specified period of time not to exceed ten class days. During a suspension, a student is to go home immediately (unless another option is approved) and not return to campus until the specified period has ended. The parents of dependent students and appropriate faculty/staff will be notified. No refunds will be issued for days missed. When the student returns to campus, he or she will be placed on disciplinary probation, which will include mandatory mentoring. Academic consequences are determined by individual faculty members.
  • Disciplinary Withdrawal: An action initiated by the student and approved by the Vice President for Student Life for a student to withdraw without the privilege of re-enrollment for at least the following semester.
  • Disciplinary Denial of Re-enrollment: An action by the Vice President for Student Life to separate a student from the University for at least one semester for disciplinary reasons.
  • Disciplinary Dismissal: An action by the Vice President for Student Life to separate a student from the University immediately for disciplinary reasons. The length of the dismissal and the terms by which the student may qualify to return are determined by the Vice President for Student Life. Refunds for tuition and/or housing and food are made in accordance with the Bulletin guidelines.

    Note: In cases of dismissal, disciplinary withdrawal or denied re-enrollment, the Vice President for Student Life must approve the student’s readmission.

Appeals

Following any formal discipline, a student is guaranteed the right to one appeal to the next highest level of authority. The appeal must be made in writing within 48 hours after receiving the discipline. The letter of appeal must establish at least one of the following: (1) new evidence, (2) procedural error, (3) the discipline decision is inconsistent with community standards or (4) extenuating circumstances. The process should include an opportunity for the student and the individual who initiated the discipline to state and defend his or her position to the appellate authority. The decision of the appellate authority will be final. Appeals of discipline shall be made as follows:

• Discipline by a Resident Assistant (or Assistant Resident Director) may be appealed to the Resident Director, who will respond within one work week after receiving the appeal.
• Discipline by a Resident Director may be appealed to the Associate Dean for Community Life, who will respond within one work week after receiving the appeal.
• Discipline by the Associate Dean for Community Life may be appealed to the Vice President for Student Life, who will respond within one work week after receiving the appeal.
• Discipline by the Vice President for Student Life may be appealed to the Presidential Appeals Committee. The committee will respond to the President within one work week after receiving the appeal. The Vice President for Student Life will inform the student of the committee’s final decision. The Presidential Appeals Committee is authoritative, and there is no further appeal. Specific guidelines for this process may be obtained from the office of the Vice President for Student Life.

Presidential Appeals Committee

The Presidential Appeals Committee is the final authority for appeals that follow disciplinary action by the Vice President for Student Life. The committee, which reports directly to the President, is composed of three faculty members, two staff members and two students. The faculty and staff members are appointed by the President, while the students are recommended to the President by the Executive Committee of the Asbury Student Congress. The committee is chaired by one of the faculty members; the chair only votes to break a tie.

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