Overview

Definitions

To make the process as clear as possible for all involved, a glossary of terms is provided.

“University” refers to Azusa Pacific University.
“Student” includes all persons taking courses at the university, both full- and part-time. For the purposes of university policy, a student is one who is enrolled in a degree or nondegree program at the university or is representing the university between regular academic semesters.
“Faculty member” means any person hired by the university to conduct classroom activity.
“University official” includes any person employed by the university.
“Member of the university community” refers to any student, faculty member, university official or other person employed by the university.
“University premises” refers to all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, leased, used, or controlled by the university (including adjacent streets or sidewalks).
“Policy” is defined as the written regulations of the university found in but not limited to the student handbook and university catalogs.
“Violation” refers to any behavior that is unacceptable as described in the Student Standards of Conduct.
“Grievance” does not include those complaints that have gone through other appellate processes.
“Off-Campus Behavior” refers to student behaviors and actions that take place away from official campus grounds or APU-sponsored events. The Student Standards of Conduct is based on shared values, and as such, sets a range of expectations for the APU student no matter where or when their conduct may take place.
“Guests” applies to all guests of APU community members whose hosts may be held accountable for the conduct of said guests.

The dean of students, the associate vice president for Student Life, the associate deans of Student Life, the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Communiversity, the Department of Campus Safety, director of the Study Abroad Programs, and student services personnel on satellite campus programs (such as High Sierra and South Africa) have been specifically designated by the university to be responsible for the administration of the Student Standards of Conduct.

Administrative Discretion

The university reserves the rights to disqualify, discontinue, exclude, or involuntarily withdraw any student from the university at the discretion of the dean of students or designee, as deemed necessary for the safety or well-being of the student or others.

The university also reserves the right to alter this handbook. The current Student Standards of Conduct supersedes all previous handbooks, and the policies expressed in the latest policy revisions will be controlling in all student conduct issues.

Rights and Freedoms

Right to the privacy of records

With certain exceptions provided by law, Azusa Pacific University cannot release information concerning students, other than directory information, from their educational records to anyone other than university officials without written consent of the student. The Buckley Amendment protects the privacy and accuracy of student records. The university seeks to comply with the Buckley Amendment. This law means the following terms apply to students while they are members of the university community:

Students must be notified of their rights.
The university must maintain (for public inspection) a listing of the types and locations of student records on campus and the person(s) responsible for those records. Each department is required to submit to the university who will be responsible for the maintenance of records.
Students have the right to a copy of their education record when failure to provide a copy of that record would effectively prevent the student from inspecting and reviewing the record. A copy may be refused, but only if, in doing so, the institution does not limit the student's right to inspect and review that record. A charge for photocopying service does apply. Students may waive their right to access certain records.
The university must have a process for students' review of individual records and establish a 15-day time limit in which this review is to be held.
Those records not defined as confidential, but as directory information, may be released by the university without the student's permission. Also, designated officials may inspect student records on a “need-to-know” basis without the student's consent.
The university must keep records of requests for disclosure and the reasons for each disclosure.
Students may seek correction of their records; this requires that a hearing be held pursuant to request for correction.
Students who do not want directory information released may notify the university of that desire.
Under some circumstances, student records may be released without consent by the student, such as when requested by subpoena in connection with court actions. For further information on such release, please contact the Office of the Registrar or the Office of Student Life.
Students may file a complaint with the Department of Education if they feel their rights have been violated.

Right to Process

Students whose behavior violates the Student Standards of Conduct will be treated justly and fairly. This means that the disciplinary process of the case will be in a timely and reasonable manner. The process involves three components:

Notification — A student has the right to proper notice of the policy he/she allegedly violated and when his/her case will be heard.
Right to be heard — A student has the right to present his/her viewpoint and position and provide supporting information, and to have it considered by a university official.
Information — Decisions in a student conduct case are based on reasonable and available supporting information.

Right to Notify

APU has the right to disclose any information from the education records of a dependent student or any student who has signed a parental notification release to his/her parents or guardian. A dependent student is one designated as such on the most recent income tax return filed by the student's parents. In addition, APU may disclose to the parents of a student the student's violation of any federal, state, or local law or any rule adopted by APU governing the possession or use of alcohol or a controlled substance if the student is under age 21. Finally, the university may disclose information from the education records of a student to his or her parents in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

Disciplinary Process

The disciplinary process at Azusa Pacific University is designed to hold students accountable in a manner that is respectful, developmental, and redemptive. Therefore, all alleged violations of community standards are reviewed through “educational meetings” with students and not through efforts intended in any way to mimic court or legal proceedings. Decisions made regarding an alleged violation are ultimately based upon what the university would consider to be “a reasonable belief” of what occurred and not upon “rules of evidence” similar to that of a court legal system.

When a student behaves in a way that violates university policy, he/she is subject to the disciplinary process. With the exception of some appeals, all violations of the Student Standards of Conduct are processed by an administrative hearing. The disciplinary process involves three components: investigation, hearing, and the imposing of sanctions. Depending on the severity and location of the offense, the disciplinary process will be administered by a university official.

Investigation

An investigation involves an inquiry into an incident or matter by university officials, and may involve interviewing community members involved in the case and verifying evidence regarding alleged violation.

Hearing

The hearing may be scheduled to allow the accused student an opportunity to hear and present information related to disciplinary process. All hearings are closed and the proceedings may be kept confidential at the discretion of the university.

The Imposing of Sanctions

This act concludes the disciplinary process. Sanctions are imposed when there is information indicating that the accused student violated the Student Standards of Conduct. This determination is made by an APU official responsible for the administration of the disciplinary process. The following are sanctions that may be imposed by a university official upon any student for violating the Student Standards of Conduct (not listed in a prescribed order):

Warning – Verbal or written warnings may be given for unacceptable behavior and the student is advised to change the behavior.
Restitution/reimbursement or fine – Damage or misuse of university property or failure to follow university policy or procedure may require a student to make restitution or pay a fine.
Discretionary sanctions – Some students may be required to perform community service, write a paper, or any other activity deemed appropriate for the violation of the Student Standards of Conduct.
Loss of privileges – Some students may lose privileges such as visitation, leadership opportunities, campus employment, co-curricular activities, parking, etc., appropriate to the violation of the Student Standards of Conduct.
Residence life probation – Residential students may be placed on probation for a specified period of time. During this time, any further violations of university policy may result in a residence life suspension or expulsion.
Residence life suspension – Separation of the student from the living areas for a specified period of time (Conditions for readmission may be required.).
Residence life expulsion – Permanent separation of the student from the living areas
Student conduct probation – A student may be placed on student conduct probation for a specified period of time. During this time, further violations of university policy may result in the student's suspension or expulsion from the university.
University suspension – Separation of the student from the university for a specified period of time (Conditions for readmission may be required.).
Interim suspension – Imposed immediately when the seriousness of the offense is such that the members of the community, including the accused student, may be threatened by his/her continued presence. (This suspension will be for a stated period of time and followed by a student hearing.)
University expulsion – Permanent separation of the student from the university

Appeals

Students wishing to appeal the disciplinary process must do so, in writing, to the supervisor of the staff member who imposed the sanction on the student, or his/her designee. Students will have only one opportunity to appeal. The appeal shall consist of one or more of the following exclusive grounds for appeal:

There is new and significant evidence that has not yet been considered.
Sanctions imposed are excessive to the violation(s) of the Student Standards of Conduct.
The student did not have opportunity to hear or present relevant information.

Guidelines for the letter of appeal:

Students must submit a written appeal to the supervisor of the judicial officer or designee within three school days of the date of the written decision.
The petition must include:
1. Names of the parties involved
2. Clear statement of the nature of the appeal
3. A narrative of the incident including:
  1. What occurred
  2. When it occurred
  3. Where it occurred
  4. Who was present
4. The evidence on which the appeal is based
5. The desired outcome

The supervisor (or designee), may, in response to the written appeal and upon review of all evidence and testimony presented, revise or confirm an earlier disciplinary process. The decision of the appeal may be made with or without meeting with students. After a decision has been reached, the student will be notified in writing by the supervisor. Decisions made in the appeal process are final and may not be addressed through the “Grievance Process.”

Student Conduct Review Committee

In cases that result in university suspension or expulsion, the student may choose to have an appeal presented to either the dean of students or his/her designee, or the Student Conduct Review Committee. The Student Conduct Review Committee consists of two faculty members, two staff members, and two students (each selected by the dean of students or designee).

The following process is such that after review of evidence, interview of witnesses, and deliberation, the committee will make a recommendation to the dean of students or his/her designee whose decision is final. In the case of a tie or deadlock, the chair will be asked to vote. There must be a minimum of five members present to constitute a quorum (including the chair). If the student behavior resulting in the disciplinary process involved violent or dangerous behavior, the committee shall be required to consider the safety of the APU community in its deliberations and recommendation, and any sanction imposed on the student shall not be stayed pending the appeal.

Notification

Any disciplinary process resulting in university suspension or expulsion will be reported to the student's professors and the registrar and may be noted on the student's transcript.

Time Limitations

APU may also extend its jurisdiction to misconduct that occurs prior to, but is not reported until after the graduation of the offender, as long as the misconduct is reported within six months of its occurrence. Otherwise, there is no time limit on reporting of violations of the Student Standards of Conduct, as long as the offending student is still enrolled at APU. However, the longer someone waits to report an offense, the harder it becomes for APU to obtain information and witness statements, and to make a determination regarding alleged violations.