Be Known at Oregon's Christian University

Student Life

Undergraduate Student Handbook

Responding to Situations

It is difficult to codify how all incidents may be handled because each situation brings with it a unique set of circumstances. The response from student life personnel is designed to provide accountability and appropriate consequences for each student involved in a situation. The nature of the infraction, the severity of a violation, as well as the frequency of similar offenses, is considered in the community accountability process. The majority of situations result in specific consequences designed to help the student learn and grow in the following areas: character development, decision-making, understanding the importance of integrity, affirming their commitment to the community, being held responsible for their actions, receiving love and forgiveness, being honest and sincere, speaking the truth in love, and being fully restored to the community.

As the passage in Matthew suggests, there are times when an individual may need to leave the community for personal restoration and reconciliation. This is not intended to be done punitively, but in love and respect for the student involved and for the good of the community at large. In these serious instances, consequences may include a short-term suspension (generally immediate, but in rare instances deferred until the next semester of enrollment), long-term suspension (either immediate or deferred termination of student status for one or more semesters), or dismissal (permanent termination of student status). Suspensions and dismissals are rare occurrences and careful consideration is given in these decisions. 

A short-term suspension is defined as a period of time in a given semester during which the student is not allowed on campus. Generally, the period of time is between three and seven days. The student may not attend class, live in campus housing, participate in university-sponsored co-curricular activities, attend university-sponsored events, or represent the university in any official capacity during a short-term suspension. Generally, academic work (papers, exams, etc.) is not accepted during the suspension period, and the student is not allowed to make up the academic work missed. A student who would receive a reduced course grade resulting from missed work during a suspension may be given the opportunity of withdrawing from the course without a grade. When a student is suspended, his or her academic advisor and instructors are informed of the suspension, but usually not of the circumstances leading to it.

Students serving a long-term suspension or who have been dismissed are not permitted to be on campus property, attend class, live in campus housing, participate in university-sponsored co-curricular activities, attend university-sponsored events, or represent the university in any official capacity.

In the case of a suspension or dismissal, the student’s financial aid would be revoked.  Even if the student successfully appeals their suspension or dismissal, or is readmitted, they still need to appeal their revoked financial aid status with Student Financial Services.

If a student chooses to withdraw before fulfilling the required community accountability sanctions, including suspension, these stipulations may need to be fulfilled before she/he is allowed to re-enroll.  Graduating students who do not complete assigned consequences may have their diploma and/or transcript withheld until the sanctions are complete.