University Commitment
Southern Adventist University commits to caring for individuals with various sexual integrity or identity perspectives. While consistently promoting a Biblical understanding of human sexuality as outlined in the next sections, Southern wishes to engage respectfully with those who have different viewpoints.
Philosophy of Sexual Integrity
Southern, in accordance with Seventh-day Adventist doctrines, believes sexual expression to be a gift from God established at creation and designed to be enjoyed as part of “a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship.” [1] Southern also acknowledges that the Fall of humanity (Genesis 3) has caused complexity in the area of human sexuality, and Southern empathizes with those who face challenges in this area.
Southern affirms the following principles regarding human sexuality, which have been adapted from the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s statements on sexuality. [2]
Sexual Integrity
Southern expects all students to strive to live in harmony with biblical standards of sexuality as held by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which maintains that sexual relations should only be expressed in a heterosexual marriage. [3] Therefore, Southern does not condone any non-marital sexual intercourse or sexual intimacy (acknowledging that not all intimacy is sexual in nature), pornography usage, or inappropriate sexual contact. Southern further does not condone engagement in same-sex romantic or sexual relationships. The mental and spiritual health of our students is important to us, and counseling and other resources are available from Student Support Services and the Office of Ministry and Missions.
Students, who have chosen to join our family, are expected to make a commitment to Southern’s community standards by respecting and adhering to this Sexual Integrity Policy, both on and off campus and in their interactions online and in social media (refer to the Freedom of Expression Policy). Students who choose to disregard Southern’s policies may be subject to sanctions, as outlined in the student handbook.
Pregnancy
Southern believes in caring for our students holistically. Southern will work with students who are pregnant out of wedlock to make them aware of on-campus and off-campus resources for physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic support. While Southern does not condone extramarital sexual relationships, our primary desire for a student who is pregnant is to see that she is receiving the support she needs during this period. Southern urges students who are about to become--or who have recently become--parents to converse with the Chaplain’s Office, the University Health Center, and Counseling Services to receive the medical, spiritual, and mental health support and/or resources they need.
The Office of Student Development will make every effort to collaborate with on-campus entities to ensure any students seeking to continue their education have the support to be successful in this endeavor. Should students choose to delay their education temporarily, we will work with them to develop a plan for their academic goals and hopeful return to Southern.
Pornography
Pornography is defined as “printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings” (Oxford Dictionary).
Southern promotes moral purity in thought and action (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). Pornography of any kind, whether virtual or physical in nature, is harmful and destructive to healthy relationships and character growth. In addition, the possession of pornography is a violation of the community standards of Southern, which are founded on the teachings of the Bible and the Seventh-day Adventist church. Because of its destructive nature, any accessing, creating, viewing, or distributing of pornography is unacceptable, either on or off campus.
Southern strives to be redemptive in the lives of each individual. Consequently, Southern offers counsel and assistance through the Office of Ministry and Missions and the Student Development Office to support and strengthen the individual's resolve to live consistently within Christian values including helping students with issues of pornography. However, any violation of Tennessee or Federal laws with respect to child pornography will be reported to the proper authorities and may result in sanctions by Southern.
Public Display of Affection (PDA)
Southern cares about relationships and how students nurture those relationships while maintaining a respectful campus environment. Students are expected to conduct themselves with discretion and in a manner that is consistent with Christian values. Respecting others is important to Southern. PDA that may appear sexually suggestive is not condoned on Southern’s campus (including both residential and non-residential areas). This includes, but is not limited to, intimate touching, fondling, prolonged kissing, or any other conduct that is out of harmony with this policy.
Transgender
Southern believes that all members of the Southern community are children of God, including those who experience gender incongruence. While recognizing unique challenges in the transgender community, this policy is consistent with the biblical teachings on sexuality of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. When making decisions regarding housing, the use of restrooms or locker rooms, playing in intramural sports, and other matters, Southern’s decisions will be based upon the individual's biological sex. Transgender students of our community have access to all resources of this campus, including the Title IX Office, and may participate in extracurricular activities. The mental and spiritual health of our transgender students is important to us, and counseling and other resources are available from Student Support Services and the Office of Ministry and Missions.
For a fuller elaboration, please see the guidelines available here: _______.
Sexual Harassment
All forms of sexual harassment toward or by members of Southern’s community, whether specific individuals identify themselves as heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other, are incompatible with the values that Southern upholds. Individuals who have been subject to sexual harassment should report this to the Title IX Coordinator. The full Title IX Sexual Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy may be found on Southern’s Student Development web page. Implementation of Southern’s policies, in harmony with its Christian principles, or discussion of the Adventist Church’s position, are not considered harassment.
Individuals who fail to treat any member of Southern’s community with dignity (including with respect to their sexuality), by ridiculing, abusing, or bullying them, will be subject to sanctions.
Violations
There are areas of sexual conduct that may not be Title IX violations that would still be violations of this policy and Southern’s code of conduct. Violations of the Sexual Integrity Policy are generally handled by Southern’s Student Conduct Board.
Violations of the Title IX Sexual Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy are generally handled by the Title IX office. In some cases, when an act of sexual harassment does not rise to the level of “severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive,” which is the standard set by the U.S. Department of Education for inclusion under Title IX, the Student Conduct Board may consider the situation to determine if a student is responsible for having violated Southern’s code of conduct.
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[1] Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs No. 23
[2] See especially the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ “Statement on Transgenderism” of April 12, 2017. https://www.adventist.org/official-statements/statement-on-transgenderism/ and also the “North American Division Statement on Human Sexuality” of November 2, 2015.
[3] Responding to Changing Cultural Attitudes Regarding Homosexual and Other Alternative Sexual Practices,” April 8, 2014, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Spring Meeting 2014.