The following alphabetical list of rules and guidelines include explicit statements that address disciplinary problems. These statements are included to ensure that the student understands his/her personal obligations while he/she attends Rochester College.
Alcoholic Beverages, Illicit Drugs and Tobacco
The use, possession, distribution, or transfer of alcohol on campus or any underage drinking may result in counseling and/or discipline, including suspension. Sudents who return to campus intoxicated may be subject to disciplinary action. Subsequent offenses may result in dismissal. For students with proven history and/or suspension for any alcohol related offense, rehabilitation therapy (at the student’s expense) and alcohol screening may be required and also may be a condition for readmission. Refusal to take this test may result in suspension and possible dismissal. The unauthorized use, possession, distribution or transfer of illicit drugs and alcohol may result in arrest, misdemeanor, or felony convictions, and long prison terms.
The use, possession, distribution, or transfer of illicit drugs may result in suspension and possible dismissal. This includes misuse of any chemical substance or prescription drugs. For students with proven history and/or suspension for any drug related offense, rehabilitation therapy (at the student’s expense) and drug screening may be required and also may be a condition for readmission. Refusal to take this test may result in suspension and possible dismissal.
The use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol also present major health risks, including addiction, acute and chronic illness, and death (see chart toward back of handbook). Drug and alcohol information, referral, counseling treatment and rehabilitation programs are available through a variety of on- and off-campus programs. Students may obtain further information by contacting the Student Development Office.
Suspicion of student drug abuse or on-campus alcohol use or possession may result in a residence hall room search and confiscation of any drug/alcohol found therein.
Use of tobacco in any form (i.e. smoking or chewing) on campus or at any college–sponsored function off-campus is prohibited and may result in discipline. Students who use tobacco are strongly encouraged to stop and may receive cessation referral information from the Student Development Office.
Conflict Resolution
Students are expected to resolve conflicts constructively and without resorting to physical or verbal abuse. Mediation services can be arranged through Student Life for any conflict that may be occurring or in the making. All parties involved in a physical altercation or a verbal or written conflict may be subject to discipline.
Display of Affection
Students should follow appropriate social standards in dating and in other social relationships, behaving in ways consistent with a Christ-centered community. Improper displays of affection, lounging in questionable positions or inappropriate physical contact must be avoided. Please be respectful of others who are uncomfortable witnessing such displays of affection. Repeated improper displays of affection may result in appropriate disciplinary action, including required counseling or mentoring.
Dishonesty
The College does not tolerate dishonesty in any form, including cheating, plagiarism or knowingly furnishing false information to college personnel. Likewise, forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents, records, or identification will result in disciplinary action, including dismissal.
Dress Code
As a Christian community, we are committed to dressing modestly in what the College deems as appropriate for a global education. Students should dress modestly on campus and at all College sponsored events.
Please remember if an employee questions your attire respond respectively—go change immediately. If you want to argue your point please contact the Assistant Dean of Community Living after the situation, but remain respectful by changing.
Students who violate these stated guidelines will be asked to change into more appropriate wear. These violations and/or warnings will be documented and may be relayed to students via email, campus mail, or postal mail. Students who receive three or more documented dress violations may be suspended, as well as receive further discipline to hopefully prevent further noncompliance. If you are in question about a specific situation with dress philosophy, please contact the Assistant Dean of Community Living for verification.
Fletcher Center
Students are expected to show respect for Aladdin’s dining service employees and those dining in the cafeteria by respectful conduct and by returning all dining trays, plates, utensils and trash to the tray return area. Throwing food or trash is not permitted. Students and their guest(s) who act with discourtesy may be fined, assigned work detail and/or may be excluded from receiving any campus food service.
Gambling
Students are expected to refrain from gambling of any kind on campus. Students who violate this are subject to discipline, which may include counseling.
Hazing
Hazing is prohibited by Michigan state law and Rochester College policy. The College is dedicated to a hazing-free environment for all of its student and college organizations. According to Michigan state law, “Hazing is defined as an intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual and that the person knew or should have known endangers the physical health or safety of the individual, and that is done for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization” (Michigan penal Code Act 328 of 1931, addendum 750.411t.). All students and student groups are required to comply with Michigan’s requirements on hazing and the College’s regulations prohibiting hazing. Verbatim copies of the Michigan hazing laws and the College’s regulations prohibiting hazing can be obtained from the Center for Student Life.
Rochester College Guidelines and Philosophy of Hazing Policy
Although there is no exhaustive list of all the actions that could constitute hazing, organizations should only plan activities that intentionally and reasonably promote positive growth and development of its membership and organizational mission. Hazing may include (but is not limited to) activities such as: forced consumption of alcohol or other foods/beverages; paddling or striking in any form; those that would result in excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation; inhibiting a student’s personal hygiene regimen; forms of demerits for its membership; physical and psychological distress; quests; treasure hunts; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery (skits, songs, making a spectacle at Chapel, etc.); morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with social club regulations/organizational law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of this educational institution.
Hazing policies apply to all student organizations and athletic teams. It should be noted that planning, initiating, or participating in hazing (as an officer, member, new member or advisor) can result in disciplinary actions for both individuals and the entire organization under the Code of Conduct and the Student Organization Handbook, whether or not all of the organization’s membership condoned or were made aware of the activity in question.
It is the duty of the organization and officers to take whatever steps necessary for its membership to develop an understanding of the hazing policy and definitions as outlined in the Student Organization Handbook. Questions about events or policy and assistance in educational programming for your organization on hazing may be directed to the Dean of Students.
Personal Responsibility
Students are not only expected to respect others but themselves as well. Students suspected of involvement in a behavior considered harmful to their own existence may be required to leave campus, sign a no-harm contract and/or obtain an on- or off-campus evaluation by a mental-health professional. A report of this evaluation is to be submitted to the Dean of Students. In conjunction with the Provost, a determination will be made about the appropriateness of the student’s return to campus.
Pornography
The viewing or possession of any pornographic materials, including frequenting Internet sites containing pornographic pictures or language is strictly forbidden. Students violating this policy are subject to discipline including being required to seek counseling and/or attend support group therapy. Students violating the Internet use policy regarding pornography may, in addition to aforementioned discipline, have their Internet account terminated or limited for a semester. Continued violation of this policy may lead to suspension and/or dismissal.
Respect for Persons and Threats or Harms to Self or Others
Students are expected to refrain from any discriminatory behavior, verbal or physical, that stigmatizes or victimizes individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Students should “build one another up in Christ.” This includes respecting one another without slander, ridicule, rumors, or character insult.
Rochester College takes seriously any behavior or verbal statement that might demonstrate that a student is at risk of harming himself/herself or another, or jeopardizing the safety of the campus community in general. Any student who (a) states an intent or desire to harm himself/herself or another, or (b) attempts to harm himself/herself or another, or (c) harms himself/herself or another may be immediately removed from residential facilities and/or prohibited from participating in College academic or extra-curricular programs until cleared by the Dean of Students. This clearance will take place after an investigation by the Dean of Students, or Assistant Dean of Community Living, and in consultation with appropriate authorities regarding wellness and safety to the student and the community.
Response to College Employees
Students are expected to respond promptly to verbal or written directives from any college employee or office. Students should not interfere with, delay, or malign a college employee’s work, the administrative process of the College, or official college activities. The College has assigned email addresses to all students and employees so that communication is accessible for the entire Rochester College community. This is the only email address that the College will centrally maintain for sending official communications to students. Please ensure you utilize these systems so that efficient communication may occur. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action. See page seven, numeral eight.
Safety
For the safety of the campus community, students are expected to keep their rooms in good order and not store any dangerous materials. All weapons, guns (including BB, pellet or paintball), ammunition, knives with blades longer than three inches, slingshots, explosives, fireworks, flammable or hazardous materials and the like are strictly forbidden and if found will be confiscated. Violations will result in disciplinary action, suspension or dismissal.
Sexual Relationships
Rochester College seeks to shape all its policies by the life and teachings of Jesus as reflected in the New Testament, as informed by the historic understandings of the Church, and in dialog with present-day concerns and contexts. To that end, the College affirms the dignity and worth of all people and respects different perspectives and self-identifications. The college will not tolerate the harassment of any member of our community and will take disciplinary action against anyone found responsible for such behavior as outlined in the policies for “Harassment, Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault.”
The college’s stance on sexual behavior affirms the holiness of sexual relationships within marriage between one man and one woman. From this perspective, the College defines chastity (i.e., appropriate sexual behavior) as abstinence from sexual relations for all unmarried persons and fidelity within covenant for those who are married. College residential, behavioral and social media policies all assume these definitions. Any behaviors, including dating behavior or public displays of affection, that are not in compliance with these understandings will be treated as misconduct. Depending on the facts and circumstances of each case, such misconduct may result in disciplinary action. Rochester College will also not recognize or endorse student organizations that undermine these behavioral policies.
Rochester College respects everyone’s right to express his or her opinion in ways that are respectful of others, and the College is aware that there are members of our community who do not agree with these policies. The College also acknowledges the complexity of issues surrounding sexuality and is committed to approach such issues continually in a theologically informed way with ongoing courage, humility, prayerfulness and civility. Regardless of one’s viewpoint, Rochester College affirms the dignity and worth of every person and seeks to create a campus culture where each person is treated with love and respect. In all disciplinary matters, we seek to be redemptive in the lives of the individuals involved. Consequently, the College will offer pastoral care and assistance to any student as needed or requested.
Social Media Policy
Rochester College behavioral expectations also extend to the use of social media (RC’s mobile app, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, blogs, text, etc.). Behavioral policies and expectations prohibit immodest dress in posted pictures; the use of profanity in posts; overtly sexual posts or sexual innuendo; references to illegal alcohol or drug usage; cyber bullying, stalking, hate speech, or harassment; or any other objectionable posts. If such posts are brought to the attention of the Student Life Office, students may be expected to modify their social media sites and/or face institutional judicial sanctions.
Speech and Language
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up ... nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Ephesians 4:29, 5:4). Speaking or acting in a manner which is profane, disorderly, lewd, obscene, or vulgar—including racial or sexual slurs—may result in discipline or suspension.
Student Leaders
Rochester College student leaders will be held to the highest standard. Leaders in violation of our policies or who influence other students to violate the College, federal, or state policies may face harsher discipline depending on the situation and policies violated.
Theft and Damaged Property
Theft or damage to another person’s property will result in disciplinary action. Restitution will be required. Intentional abuse, damage, theft, or destruction of college property will result in disciplinary action, suspension or dismissal. This includes destructive practical jokes. Restitution for theft or damaged property should be made in full and may be put on a student’s account as long as the account is paid in full by the time a student leaves.
Theft or misuse of the property of the Ennis and Nancy Ham Library or the intentional failure to properly check out materials will result in disciplinary action.
Violations of Civil or Criminal Codes of Local, State, or Federal Governments
Students are expected to act in accordance with the stated laws of government. Violations of any of these codes will be upheld and will result in college disciplinary action being administered.