Student Discipline

The Pentecostal Theological Seminary is a community of faith and discipleship. In no area is this truer than in the area of discipline, since it is that which is done, either by oneself or others, to promote development in discipleship. In community, each one is responsible for the other; the community as a whole is responsible for each one; and each and every one is responsible to the community. Our guide for the process of discipline is the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 18:15-18.

Any of the following shall be considered as an adequate cause for dismissal of a student from the Theological Seminary.

Immoral conduct, including cheating and/or plagiarizing of other student papers.
Flagrant violation of seminary rule.

Remediation

An incident by a student may warrant immediate disciplinary action on any particular level. The levels described below are suggestive in nature. Steps and levels described compliment the discipline described in the Student Handbook.

The purpose of the remediation process is to assess and enhance student abilities, competencies, achievement, personal formation and potential for spiritual, personal, ministerial and professional development.

As a result of assessment of a student’s achievement, competency, or personal formation at any time while a student is enrolled at the Seminary, a student may experience remedial action at various levels.

Intervention between students and faculty, Seminary administration or staff
To complete additional work in academic areas, including academic and clinical work
Assistance with personal and professional formation, including personal mentoring, supervision or counseling
To be transitioned to another or related program of study
To be placed on probation
To be dismissed from the Seminary

At the level of intervention between students and faculty, Seminary administration or staff; students may contact:

The faculty person for the relevant course
Their academic advisor
The Director of Student Services
The VP for Academics

Reasons for intervention may include assistance with:

Coursework
Practicum or internship site or supervisory issue
Program requirements
Discipline

At the level of completion of additional academic work in the Seminary, a student may meet with:

The faculty person for the relevant course
Their academic advisor
The Director of Student Services
The VP for Academics

At this level students may be assessed by the Assistant to the VP of Academics or the Discipline Committee to be in need of:

Added courses, practicum and/or internships to improve an area of academics
The retaking of courses, practicum and/or internships to improve academic and/or professional development
Assistance during academic probation or academic dismissal as defined in the Seminary Catalog Academic Policy section

At the level of assistance with personal and/or professional formation, including personal mentoring, supervision or counseling, students may request the Assistant to the VP of Academics to review a particular incident or require that students:

Receive further academic advising from his or her academic advisor
Receive personal counseling
Receive mentorship from a faculty member or other counseling professional
Receive additional supervision from a practicum or internship supervisor

At the level of transition to another or related program of study, such action may take place at the:

Request of the student
At the recommendation of the student’s faculty advisor
Assessment and determination of the Seminary Academics Office
Criteria for the transition to another or related program may include the student’s:
Academic performance
Clinical performance in a practicum or internship
Student personal preference

Discipline Policy

At the level of probation from the Seminary, probationary action may be taken by the Seminary’s Academics Office or Office of Ministry Formation. Probationary action may be the result of:

Student unsatisfactory academic progress as defined in the Seminary Catalog in the Academics section
A violation as described in the Seminary Student Handbook, under the sections entitled, “Student Responsibility,” “Student Discipline,” and “Student Grievance Policy”
Assessment and action by a Discipline Committee appointed by the Director of Student Services.

At the level of dismissal from the Seminary, dismissal may be taken by the Seminary’s Academics Office or Office of Ministry Formation. Dismissal may be the result of:

Student unsatisfactory academic progress as defined in the Seminary Catalog in the Academics section
A violation as described in the Seminary Student Handbook, under the sections entitled, “Student Responsibility,” “Student Discipline,” and “Student Grievance Policy”
Assessment by Ministerial Development Committee

Procedure

All members of the seminary community have an obligation to see that seminary standards and regulations are maintained. Flagrant disregard and violation of these should be reported to the Office of Student Services.
A student reported for, or accused of, serious violation shall be interviewed first by the Director of Student Services for clarification and guidance, and then, if he or she deems it necessary, the case may be reviewed by a committee composed of the Director of Student Services, Dean of Ministries and SGA President for the purpose of:
1. formulating charges;
2. determining the degree of repentance and the willingness to reform;
3. recommending further action;
4. the right to confront witnesses against them.
A student may waive the right to appear before this committee and appear before the Discipline Committee if done so in writing.
If further disciplinary action is recommended, the accused shall appear before the Discipline Committee. The committee shall consist of three faculty members from the Ministerial Development Committee appointed by the President, one of whom shall chair the committee, and one student who shall be the President of the Student Body or another SGA officer appointed by the President.
All students are hereby advised that in such a case, they have the following rights:

1. The right to present their case;
2. The right to be accompanied by an advisor
3. The right to call witnesses in their behalf;

The student shall be notified in writing of the time and place of the hearing and of the charges to be brought against him or her at least 24 hours ahead of Time.
The committee shall meet with the accused and his or her advisor (if the accused so desires).
The chairman of the committee shall read the charges as formulated by the first hearing, along with the resultant findings and recommendations.
The committee shall hear the accused present his or her side of the case with whatever evidence and witnesses he or she may have.
The accused shall be excused while the committee deliberates and reaches a verdict. Then, the committee determines an appropriate action regarding the verdict. The accused shall then be recalled and informed of the decision.
The student may appeal the action of the committee to the President within 48 hours, and the decision of the President shall be final.
Records of hearings relating to discipline shall be kept in the office of the President.
The Seminary reserves the right to notify the proper ecclesiastical body of any immoral conduct.

Student Grievance Policy

The goal of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary is to be a Community of Faith. As such, we realize situations may arise that may need help in being resolved. A grievance is defined as a complaint or concern a student has regarding a faculty or staff member that adversely affects his or her academic career or personal well-being.

(Note: This policy is not designed for grade appeals).

The biblical way of resolving conflict is to meet face to face to resolve any break in fellowship (Matt. 18:17).
If the student cannot resolve the conflict with the other party, he or she may take another person with him/her for the purpose of assisting with mediation.
If the issue cannot be resolved in step one or two the student may submit a letter to the Director of Student Services or the Vice President for Academics if it is an academic matter. The letter must be received within 30 days of the actual event. The letter must contain an explanation of the grievance and supporting documents.
If the grievance is not resolved in steps one or two either the Vice President for Academics, the Director of Student Services or the student can ask that the Director of Student Services convene an arbitration committee. This committee will convene within two weeks. This committee will be composed of three members appointed by the President to include:
A. A faculty member;
B. A member of the human resources committee;
C. Another person appointed by the President.
(The student may also have the President of SGA present)
1. 1. *The committee will immediately give a written report of the outcome of the meeting to the Vice President for Academics or Director of Student Services.*
If mediation or arbitration is not chosen or it was not successful, the Vice President for Academics or Director of Student Services must respond in writing to the student within two weeks of receiving the student’s letter stating the decision of the grievance committee and the reason for such decision.
If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the committee, Vice President for Academics or Director of Student Services, an appeal may be made to the President to review and will involve the Administrative Ministry Team at the President’s discretion. The appeal must be made within 48 hours and include the materials described above and the Dean’s or Director’s response. A decision will be given within two weeks. This decision will be final.

State Authorization and Complaint Process