Discipline
Discipline as referred to in this working policy refers to any action taken by Southern Adventist University relative to a student’s social standing. The first responsibility of the university and its personnel is that of counseling with students who appear to be encountering social problems. This counseling should not be done in an accusing manner and must be done with the total attitude of having the student’s best interests at heart. All social discipline is unfortunate and must be handled with extreme caution and tact.
Dismissal
It must be understood that the reputation of a student to some degree is the reputation of the university. Therefore, when a student’s reputation becomes so unrepresentative as to affect the reputation of Southern Adventist University, it shall be the responsibility of the university to separate such a student from the university, either immediately or by refusal of re-admission for subsequent semesters. Students who are thus separated from the university must be told precisely the reason why, despite the fact that there may be no specific acts or incidents that have resulted in specific disciplinary action.
Role of the Vice President for Student Development
All student disciplinary procedures are under the direction of the vice president for Student Development, who works in general with the residence hall deans in handling student disciplinary cases. The vice president for Student Development may separate a student from the school, suspend a student, deny readmission, or place a student on citizenship probation.
Notification
If a student has been placed on probation or separated from the school immediately, or if he/she is to be separated from the school at the completion of the current semester, the student will be notified in writing and will be given the specific reasons for the action. Copies of such letters will be sent to the parents or legal guardians of the student at the discretion of the vice president for Student Development in harmony with current laws. The director of Records and Advisement and the associate vice president of Marketing and Enrollment Management will be notified of the change of relationship of the student to the university without an explanation of the circumstances. If in specific cases the director of admissions feels it is necessary for him to know more details of a case, he can speak directly to the vice president for Student Development, who will then give more details at his discretion.
Appeal
The route of appeal for social discipline action is appeal to the president of the university through the Discipline Review Committee. The president will either affirm the original decision or refer it to the Discipline Review Committee with or without instruction for final disposition.