Academic Appeals
Appeals concerning academic policies, procedures, and regulations are most appropriately handled on an Academic Petition (available from the Registrar’s Office). This form requires both the approval of the student’s academic advisor and the Associate Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences/College Registrar.
Students not satisfied with the results may submit the original appeal to the Academic Affairs Committee for consideration. The Academic Affairs Committee may accept or reject the appeal. The decision of the Academic Affairs Committee is final.
Conflict Resolution
As believers in Christ committed one to another, we encourage all students having difficulty with a fellow student to provide constructive feedback privately and directly to that person if you are comfortable doing so. When meeting with the person, we encourage you to take the following steps:
- State the constructive purpose for your feedback - if you have no constructive purpose then do not meet.
- Describe specifically what you have observed - what the behavior has created for you, others, and/or the College as a whole.
- Describe your reactions - how it affects you, makes you feel.
- Give the other person an opportunity to respond - this makes it a two-way conversation.
- Offer specific suggestions - include what you have prepared ahead of time with anything gained from the other person’s response.
- Summarize and express support - review what will happen from this day forth and help the person know you will help in any way possible.
If meeting with the individual is not comfortable for you or does not provide restoration and/or resolution, your next course of action would be to inform your RA, Resident Director or other trusted professional employee of the College to ask for assistance in mediating the conflict. We wholly trust and believe that by following these basic Biblical principles, God will provide restoration of the relationship, as well as personal and spiritual growth.
Disciplinary Policies
A. Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs
Crown College is operating in conformity with the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997. The following summarizes Crown’s policy and program:
- It is the policy of Crown that the College be free of alcohol and illicit drugs. The unlawful use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs by students of Crown is prohibited and violates this policy as well as the College’s standard of conduct.
- Crown College students who are enrolled will abstain from all possession or use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and non-medicinal narcotic or hallucinogenic drugs (including marijuana).
- The Crown College Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Information can be found online at: www.crown.edu/admissions/consumer-information.html
- The Crown College Counseling Services office provides individual treatment and counseling programs for drug and alcohol abuse to students of the Crown community. Referrals of students, faculty, and staff are also made to external organizations providing substance abuse programs.
These policies apply to students while they are under the jurisdiction of the College; that is, while they are enrolled in a College program or residing in College approved housing. They are also required to maintain this standard during the summer, between semesters, and when on break or vacation. Students violating this policy are subject to disciplinary actions up to, and including, dismissal from the College in accordance with College policies and procedures.
B. Entertainment
Crown College encourages students to practice discretion and exercise discernment in their choice of entertainment. This includes but is not limited to the use of playing cards, choice of music, television, movie viewing, social dancing, and attire. It is understood that entertainment will honor Jesus Christ and edify the individual Christian and the College community. Members of the community will not participate in any kind of entertainment that could be considered unethical, immodest, overtly sexual, or harmfully violent. This includes but is not limited to gambling, attending casinos, bars and nightclubs. The College reserves the right to rule on the suitability of any music, television, video games, movies (only G, PG, PG-13 movies and movies found in the Crown College Library are allowed on campus), and internet shown, played, or performed anywhere on the campus.
C. Hazing/Pranks
The Crown community has a primary goal of helping one another grow into genuine Christ-likeness. Members of the community have covenanted together to promote intentionally supportive, encouraging relationships that are helpful and edifying. Therefore, pranks and hazing are not permitted at Crown College.
A prank is defined as any willful act by one or more students directed against any other student(s) that endangers their mental health and/or physical safety, or damages, destroys, or removes property. A prank is considered hazing if the act is intended as an initiation into, or as a requirement for, on-going affiliation with a group, team, or organization.
Pranks and hazing can include (but are not limited to) any physical activity that can be deemed dangerous, requiring the consumption of unusual, non-edible items, nudity or degrading dress, “kidnappings,” or any act that may compromise the dignity or cause embarrassment or shame to the targeted student. Any organizers and/or participants in such activities will be subject to disciplinary action.
D. Pornography
Pornography is pervasive in our society and is one of the more addictive and destructive forces impacting young men and women. Statistically, a high percentage of college students will have been exposed to pornography prior to their first year at college. Given the immoral, addictive, and destructive nature of pornography, students should refrain from using, possessing, distributing, or purchasing pornography, pornographic materials, or materials that objectify men or women in any way. This includes but is not limited to, internet sites, movies and television programs, video and computer games, print materials (books, magazines, comic books, photographs), and posters. This includes the use of the College’s computing and networking resources in the viewing or communicating of inappropriate materials in any form. Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary process.
We encourage students who struggle with addiction to pornography to seek support, guidance, wise counsel and accountability from pastors, counselors, mentors, and peers. The Campus Chaplain and Counseling Services are prepared to help and support students who struggle in the area of pornography.
E. Pregnancy Policy
Scripture urges believers to seek wise and godly counsel when faced with significant or difficult life choices. Therefore, should a Crown College student become pregnant while unmarried, she is encouraged to communicate with Residence Life staff, Counseling Services, and/or Health Services. The College wants to assist those involved in an unplanned pregnancy while at Crown to consider the options available to them within the Christian moral framework. These include marriage of the parents, single parenthood, or offering the child for adoption.
Student Development personnel stand ready to help those involved as they consider the meaning of their actions, deal with the consequences, and experience the forgiveness that comes from repentance. The College is committed to responding in a redemptive manner, seeking to balance compassion with accountability. Students can be expected to be treated with Christian love as they deal with their new circumstances.
Every effort will be made to ensure confidentiality, but the life and health of the mother and child and the spiritual well-being of the parents and the Crown College community are the primary concerns. Continuation of on-campus residency and/or enrollment as a student at Crown College will be considered in light of what is best for all those involved.
F. Sexual Assault Policy
Sexual assault conflicts with Crown College’s community standards and is prohibited by law. Therefore, such behavior will not be tolerated, and all reported cases of sexual assault will be taken seriously and investigated promptly.
A report of an alleged sexual assault should be reported to Student Development or Campus Safety as soon as possible. The report will be investigated, appropriate persons interviewed, and information assembled regarding the alleged incident. Victims of sexual assault also have the option of notifying the civil authorities either through help from Student Development, Counseling Services, Campus Safety, or on their own. Resources of existing counseling options both on campus and in the community can be obtained at the Counseling Services Office, Health Services Office, and Student Development. Victims will also be told of the option of changing academic or living arrangements, if necessary.
If you have been the victim of sexual assault, it is important to preserve any evidence surrounding the incident. It is recommended that the victim not clean herself/himself (it is important that no baths, showers or douching take place until medical personnel have treated the victim), or change clothes. It is also recommended that the specific area where the assault took place not be disturbed. Evidence is crucial as it may be necessary for the proof of criminal sexual assault. For any on-campus disciplinary action, the victim and accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a campus disciplinary proceeding. Both shall be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding alleging a sexual assault.
Students violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal and possible referral for prosecution.
G. Sexuality
Crown College strives to enhance and strengthen a biblical sexual identity for its students. The College does not tolerate involvement in, participation in, or promotion of sexually immoral behavior such as premarital sex, cohabitation, adultery, homosexual behavior, or the use or display of pornographic, obscene, or suggestive materials of any kind (including materials found on the Internet).
Disciplinary Procedures
A. Challenge of Discipline
As members of the body of Christ, and as those designated to uphold the community standards of the College, we seek to be people who equally value the Biblical call to truth and justice with the mandate to extend mercy and grace to all people. Justice calls us to hold those accountable who violate community standards and the law of the land. Justice also calls us to protect the innocent. Mercy calls us to see ourselves as fellow sinners in need of God’s grace who encourage the community to remember Christ’s example of offering hope rather than condemnation. Therefore, it is with these mandates held in tension that the College seeks to provide a disciplinary process that values truth and justice while offering hope to individuals who find they need to be restored to the community.
B. Disciplinary Actions and Outcomes
While the faculty and staff at Crown College seek to foster growth in students, ideally this growth will also take place with peers holding each other accountable. In most cases, accountability will begin at the level closest to the infraction. Each infraction is handled contextually and may involve the Resident Assistant, Assistant Resident Director, Resident Director, Dean of Students, or other trusted members of the community as deemed necessary by the Dean of Students. Decisions made by the Dean of Students may be appealed in writing to the Vice President of Student Development by submitting a written letter of appeal before 4:30 pm on the business day following the student being notified of the disciplinary decision the student is choosing to appeal. Final disciplinary authority and responsibility for misconduct is delegated to the Student Affairs Committee.
The following discipline terms represent the various categories of disciplinary sanctions. Implementation of a student disciplinary decision shall be delayed until final disposition of the case, except in extraordinary circumstances.
Warning - A statement of the regulation is made to the student(s) with an official warning concerning future behavior.
General Probation - Any student involved in the disciplinary process will automatically be placed on general probation. Students on probation may be dismissed from the College if involved with any further infractions.
Suspension - The student must leave the campus and is not allowed to attend classes for any time period between one day and one semester. The suspension will be followed by a period of probation.
Dismissal - The student is terminated from the College and restricted from the College premises. Students dismissed from the College for student life reasons, whether before or after the last day to drop classes, will receive grades of W, WP, or WF. (See the Crown College Catalog for more details.) In the event a dismissed student wants to return as a student, he or she must re-apply to the College.
C. Goal and Guidelines for Discipline
Community standards of behavior are essential in maintaining order and creating an environment that is conducive to the educational process and personal transformation. As a God-centered community, we are mandated to confront inappropriate behavior with the goal of correction and restoration. To that end, any violation of the law or behavioral standards supported by witnesses and/or evidence will be addressed by faculty/staff. Scripture is the guide for establishing standards of behavior, and Scripture must direct our response to individuals who violate these established standards.
Consequences will be applied to inappropriate behavior. Faculty/staff seek to deliver consequences that are commensurate with the misconduct. Consequences received by a student will contain an educational element, an opportunity for restoration to the Crown College community and, should it be necessary, restoration to the Body of Christ.
D. Student Affairs Committee
A student has the right to appeal a disciplinary decision made by Student Development staff. The purpose of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) shall be to serve as the final appeals committee for disciplinary decisions made by the Dean of Students. The SAC is comprised of six (6) members: the Vice President of Student Development (VP/SD), the Director of Human Resources; one faculty member; one staff member; and two students. Appeals are negated if law enforcement is involved.
Appeals are to be made directly to the VP/SD by submitting a written letter of appeal before 4:30 pm on the business day following the student being notified of the disciplinary decision the student is choosing to appeal.
The VP/SD will convene a hearing involving the SAC, the student appellant, and the Dean of Students. This hearing will be scheduled at the earliest possible time given the schedule of the hearing participants. The hearing is closed to all other individuals, including attorneys. The SAC, at its discretion, may choose to involve other members of the Crown College campus community to offer relevant testimony.
The decision of the SAC will be rendered within two (2) full working days of the appeal hearing and be considered final. The VP/SD will communicate the decision of the SAC to the student appellant and the Dean of Students.
The student appellant will not be eligible to represent the college in any activity while s/he is the subject of an appeal of a disciplinary decision involving suspension, dismissal, or expulsion. Pending final decision of the SAC, the student appellant may continue to attend classes and reside in on campus housing unless the Dean of Students determines that the student’s presence would be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of members of the Crown College campus community.
General Complaint Procedure
Students who wish to make a formal complaint should address their written letter or email to the Vice President of Student Development. College officials will respond to the complaint utilizing the appropriate procedure, per the nature of the complaint.
Involuntary Medical Withdrawal Policy
Crown College provides a range of support services to address the medical and mental health needs of students within the context of the campus community. On occasion, students may experience medical or psychological health conditions requiring a level of care that exceeds what the College has resources to provide. In such circumstances, some students may be advised to consider a voluntary withdrawal. In situations where a student is unable or unwilling to carry out substantial self-care obligations, or presents a substantial risk of self-harm or harm to others, and the student declines to voluntarily withdraw, the decision whether to impose an involuntary withdrawal will be made by the Individualized Risk Assessment Team. The student may appeal this decision in writing to the Vice President of Student Development within 24 hours of being informed of the outcome.
In the uncommon circumstance that the College considers involuntary medical withdrawal, the Individualized Risk Assessment Team - which includes the Health Coordinator, Director of Disability Services, Dean of Students, and a Resident Director - will convene. The Team will consider each situation on a case-by-case basis, examining multiple risk factors, the nature, duration and severity of the risk, the likelihood that potential harm will occur, and whether accommodations can sufficiently mitigate the risk. The Team may inquire into a student’s current condition, including the request of professional recommendations from attending health professionals.
A member of the Team will notify the student that the College is considering imposing an involuntary withdrawal and the basis for the consideration. The student will have opportunity to appear before the committee personally or via a representative to provide relevant information. If the student fails to attend the meeting to which s/he has been notified, the Team will proceed toward a decision. In the rare case that a student is removed immediately due to emergency circumstances (as deemed by the College), the Team will still meet to discuss the situation.
Procedure for Grievances
A grievance is a complaint of alleged unfair or discriminatory practice or decision by faculty, administration, or administrative staff. The central focus of a grievance is not a policy, but rather the action of the one against whom the grievance is filed. A grievance must be supported by evidence that the unfavorable decision is in violation of institutional policy or practice, or that the person has been treated in a different way than other persons in like circumstances have been treated.
A student wishing to file a grievance may do so by requesting reconsideration of the unfavorable decision in the form of a letter stating the grievance and submitting the letter to Student Development. After receipt of the letter, a written response will be given to the student no later than five class days after receipt of the form.
If the student is not satisfied with the response, the student may resubmit the grievance to the appropriate Vice President of the faculty or staff member involved. The Vice President may then choose to take the grievance to the Academic Affairs Committee or the Student Affairs Committee. The committee will then make a recommendation to the appropriate Vice President for their consideration. A written response will be given to the student no later than five class days after receipt of the form.
If the student does not receive a response within five class days at any level in the grievance process, the student may appeal to the next higher level. Those hearing the grievance at the higher level shall secure the written opinion of those who failed to respond at the lower level.
Student Appeal Policy
An appeal is a request to waive a decision that has been or will be properly applied. The central focus of an appeal is the institutional policy and the considered merits of its waiver.
Appeals may concern academic and student life, financial affairs policies and regulations, admission to and retention of students in academic programs, academic inequities, and forms of academic discipline. At each level of appeal, both the appeal and the decision must be in writing on the appropriate form. The investigation may include personal appearances by parties involved in the appeal.
For specific policies on appeals regarding participation in commencement activities, class absences, and general academic policies, students should refer to those sections of the College Catalog.
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