Procedures for Processing Grievances, Discipline and Restoration Matters

Procedures for Processing Grievances, Discipline and Restoration Matters

a) Letter stating allegations and consequences

Grievances against students may be filed by faculty, staff, administrators or other students, but must be filed with the campus-specific director. The student against whom a grievance is filed will receive a request for a meeting accompanied by a written statement from the campus-specific director, setting forth a summary of the conduct giving rise to the grievance. The written statement will include a copy of the signed, written grievance. The meeting with the student against whom the grievance is made will be held within five (5) business days of the filing of the grievance unless extenuating circumstances are presented to and approved by the campus-specific director.

b) Meeting with and process of the Student Services Committee

1. The campus-specific director will meet with all parties involved regarding the alleged grievance. The campus-specific director will decide if the grievance warrants referral to the Student Services Committee for possible action. The Student Services Committee consists of the campus-specific director, Dean of Chapel, and three faculty members. 2. The Student Services Committee will determine the next course of action based on the nature and severity of the grievance. The Student Services Committee may dismiss a grievance without further action if it determines in its discretion that the grievance is without merit or cannot be substantiated.

3. Unless a grievance is dismissed, the Student Services Committee will schedule a meeting with the student against whom a grievance is made to discuss the allegations and possible consequences. If the committee schedules a meeting, the student against whom the grievance is made may bring a supportive observer who may advise the student but may not actively participate in the meeting. Legal counsel is not permitted in this meeting. The Student Services Committee may also meet with the person who filed the grievance and such other persons the committee deems pertinent to the handling of the grievance. Only those invited to meet with the Student Services Committee may attend.

c) Letter stating ruling and possible sanctions

Absent extenuating circumstances, the Student Services Committee will send written notice of its decision to the student against whom a grievance is made (via U.S. Postal Service and/or SPO) no later than five (5) business days after the student meets with the committee, stating their ruling on the grievance and any resultant sanctions. The campus-specific director will have a follow up meeting with the student within five (5) business days of the letter being sent to the student against whom a grievance is made.

d) Sanctions

All sanctions imposed upon students are cumulative in nature and will be added to the student’s official record. Sanctions that may be imposed in accordance with Seminary policy include: 1. Disciplinary Warning: a written notice that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct may be cause for additional disciplinary action. 2. Disciplinary Reprimand: a written reprimand for violation of specified regulations, including a warning that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct may be cause for additional disciplinary action, without loss of good standing with the Seminary. A violation of the terms of disciplinary reprimand, or subsequent misconduct after discipline, is grounds for further disciplinary action, including disciplinary probation, social suspension, disciplinary suspension, or disciplinary expulsion. 3. Disciplinary Probation: exclusion from participation in specified privileges or extracurricular institutional activities for a specified period of time. Additional sanctions or restrictions may also be imposed. A student on disciplinary probation is not in good standing with the Seminary. A violation of the terms of disciplinary probation, or subsequent misconduct, is grounds for further disciplinary action, including social suspension, disciplinary suspension, or disciplinary expulsion. 4. Social Suspension: exclusion from Seminary premises, as well as exclusion from participation in all privileges and extracurricular institutional activities, except for attendance in classes in which officially enrolled and defined privileges that are necessary and required for a specified period of time. Additional sanctions or restrictions may also be imposed. A violation of the terms of social suspension, or subsequent misconduct, is grounds for further disciplinary action, including disciplinary suspension or disciplinary expulsion. 5. Disciplinary Suspension: exclusion from Seminary premises, as well as participation in all privileges or extracurricular institutional activities, for a stated period of time at the end of which the student may apply for readmission to the Seminary. While under disciplinary suspension, the student is not entitled to attend classes, use Seminary facilities, participate in Seminary activities, or be employed by the Seminary. Special conditions may be stipulated for a student to be reinstated at the conclusion of the period of suspension. A violation of the terms of disciplinary suspension, or subsequent misconduct, is grounds for disciplinary expulsion. 6. Disciplinary Expulsion: termination of student status, and exclusion from Seminary premises, privileges and activities. Once expelled a student would be required to reapply and be accepted prior to returning to the Seminary. 7. Withholding of a Degree: This may be imposed with, but does not require, the possibility of having the degree conferred after the successful completion of conditions specified by the Student Services Committee and/or the Discipline and Appeals Committee. 8. Other Sanctions: other sanctions or conditions may be imposed instead of or in addition to those specified. Examples include, but are not limited to, termination of residence contract, restriction of access to specific areas of campus, monetary penalty, monetary reimbursement, public or community compulsory psychiatric/ psychological evaluation and counseling, such as alcohol and drug counseling. All applicable local, state, and federal laws shall be upheld by the Asbury Theological Seminary community at all times. The Seminary expects that each individual and group within the Seminary community will obey these laws. Failure to do so subjects the offender(s) to the possibility of Seminary disciplinary action and/or action by civil authorities.