Student Regulations

Missional University Community Standards

Missional Ethos Statement

It is important that you understand the values and expectations of the entire Missional University Community.

We, the trustees, administration, faculty, staff and students of Missional University embrace global service in the mission of God as an evangelical community that stands within the tradition of Christian orthodoxy and pledge our energies and resources to furthering the kingdom of God across the world.

We gladly take up the mantle of the early missionary pioneer, William Carey, a shoemaker, called to serve in the mission of God in the world, who, together with his colleagues drafted the Serampore Covenant to guide the development of their Christian mission in 1805 Serampore, India. We covenant together to embrace ways of living in keeping with the spirit and intent of this missionary document:

• By placing great value on all people because every person is of infinite value
• By building relationships with one another and with those whom we are called to serve in order to better understand their point of view
• By abstaining from those attitudes and actions that could become a stumbling block to another believer or a non-Christian in their spiritual journey
• By watching for opportunities to serve the needs of others
• By focusing our lives and ministries on the person and work of Christ
• By esteeming others better than ourselves and treating others fairly and justly
• By building up one another in the faith
• By equipping others to serve in the mission of God
• By customizing our missional approaches within the cultural context in which we serve
• By devoting ourselves to prayer and personal devotion to Christ

We are committed to a community that practices the truths revealed in the Scripture as imparted by the Holy Spirit. Thus we are committed to speaking the truth in love, sharing one another’s burdens, bearing with one another, and serving one another with kindness, mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. We will practice speech that fosters forbearance and respect for one another and for the standards and policies of Missional University. We will affirm the breadth of views and perspectives that reflects the diversity of our Christian community while also exercising discernment guided by the law of love.

We at Missional University pledge to follow the path God has laid before us by committing to continually grow in our faith and to seek mutual relationships of accountability with fellow believers so that we may grow together in maturity and in the kind of faith, hope and love that reflect the mind and likeness of Jesus Christ. By the Spirit’s power, we will also seek to be witnesses to God’s Kingdom and to embody Scriptural ways of proclaiming and participating in God’s mission in our context and beyond. 

William Carey's Guidelines as a Community

This ethos statement orients our community life toward a common cause – preparing biblically - grounded, missional leaders who join the mission of God in diverse communities by incarnating the gospel with culturally-appropriate skills while seeking the spiritual transformation of people and communities that connects all peoples to God in worship in their own heart language.

For this reason, concerns regarding particular speech and behavior will be assessed in light of the mission, faith and ethos statements of our community. To this end, we commit ourselves to seek wisdom and discernment through the study of Scripture and participation in dialogue based on grace, common worship and biblical conversation. For the common good of the Missional University community, we offer the following guidance:

• We stand with Christians through the centuries against the misuse of any substance that abuses the mind or body and brings harm to self, family or society.
• We affirm the need for stewardship and care in every area of life including our minds, physical bodies, our time, talents, and treasure as expressions of God’s common grace.
• We commit ourselves to fidelity in Christian marriage which we affirm is a sacred union between one man and one woman; and we commit ourselves to practicing celibacy in singleness.
• We condemn harassment or abuse in any form
• We renounce those attitudes and actions that resist the work of the Spirit, that create disharmony and division among the Christian community, and impede gospel-centered witness
• We commit ourselves to life and service siding with the poor while simultaneously resisting the temptations of materialistic culture
• We oppose utilitarian methods that commercializes the faith, mission and the church and embodies the values of consumerism
• We foster missional relationships that honor and uphold the sanctity of creation, human and family life, and the equality of women and men.

This commitment also includes the practice of Christian hospitality and an ongoing practice of learning and growing, characterized by relationships of mutual trust and respect. We acknowledge our need to be constant in respecting, encouraging, honoring each other and, when called for, speaking the truth in love to one another. We encourage repentance, confession, and correction as well as pardon and the opportunity for new beginnings when breaches of this covenant may occur.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is honest scholarship. Missional University expects its students to submit original work and give credit to other people’s ideas. In order to maintain academic integrity, a student is expected to:

• Create and express his/her own ideas in course work
• Acknowledge all sources of information
• Complete course work independently or acknowledge the collaboration
• Be honest during examinations

Plagiarism

Essentially, plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work as your own. (See https://www.plagiarism.org/article/what-is-plagiarism) 

To avoid plagiarizing someone’s work, you must identify the copied text or idea, and separate that from your own text, and give accurate credit to the source.

Plagiarism applies to all ideas, text, images regardless of source, or if the authorship is known. Even if you were the author of the original text, a proper citation must be used. Plagiarism also applies regardless of intent. Therefore, one must be careful to diligently keep track of where your ideas came from and give credit where credit is due.

Figures and tables from another source must also be given a proper citation.

Falsification

Falsification of a school document includes, but is not limited to:

• Unauthorized signing of another person's name to an official form or document
• Unauthorized modification, copying, or production of a university document or any document to mislead the reader
• Dishonestly answering or providing information in the application process
• Failure to fully and truthfully disclose criminal history when required to do so
• Citing a source that does not exist
• Falsely attributing ideas or information to a cited source that does not contain that material
• Including a source in a bibliography when the source was neither cited in the body of the paper nor consulted
• Inventing or intentionally distorting data or statistical result
• Communicating false information to a faculty member in connection with an academic matter

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is considered conduct that undermines the academic integrity of Missional University and includes, but is not limited to, academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and falsification. Academic Dishonesty During examinations, academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Referring to information not specifically condoned by the instructor
• Receiving information from a fellow student
• Stealing, buying, receiving, selling or transmitting any portion of an examination outside of examinations

Any student who knowingly assists in any form of academic misconduct will be considered as equally responsible as the student who accepts such assistance.

The following violates Missional University’s expectations for academic integrity and is prohibited:

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Allowing another student to copy any portion of one’s own work
• Using unauthorized aid of any kind
• Stealing, buying, receiving, selling or transmitting coursework of any kind
• Purchasing material of any kind and representing it as one’s own work
• Purchasing papers or have someone write a paper on your behalf
• Replicating another person’s work, in whole or in part, and submitting it as an original work
• Omitting quotation marks or other conventional markings around material quoted from any printed source
• Paraphrasing or quoting a specific passage from a specific source without properly referencing the source
• Submitting work previously used to fulfill academic requirements for any course at any institution at any level, including Missional University, without written permission from both faculty members
• Collaborating with another student beyond the extent approved by the instructor
• Copying from another student
• Altering graded papers/exams and submitted them for regrading
• Submitting projects or papers that have been submitted for another course either at Missional University or elsewhere.
• Aiding and abetting in plagiarism.

Reporting Process for Academic Misconduct

The reporting procedure is as follows:

1. The instructor (or staff member, if applicable) will confront the student within one week of the discovery of the infraction
2. The instructor will write a report outlining the violation, the inquiry conducted, the recommended sanction(s) and the overall rationale
3. The report will be provided to the student
4. The report will be sent to the Dean of the School
5. A copy of the report will be sent to the Director of Student Services at which time s/he will work with the faculty member to determine the penalty for each infraction

Disciplinary Actions Resulting from Academic Dishonesty

In all cases of academic dishonesty, the instructor will initiate a conference with the student to discuss the alleged offense.

• If academic dishonesty is established, the instructor may lower the grade of the assignment, assign a grade of “F” for the assignment, or assign a grade of “F” for the entire course.
• The instructor must file a report of the incident of academic dishonesty as well as the assigned penalty to the Dean of Students and the report will be placed in the student’s academic file.
• If the instructor determines that academic dishonesty has not occurred, no report of the incident needs to be made.
• In addition to grade penalties for the specific assignment or course in question, the student may be subject to disciplinary actions by the Dean of Students, which may include academic probation, academic suspension, or expulsion.
• The student will be allowed to appeal (See Appeal Process Below).

Reporting Process for Academic Misconduct

The reporting procedure is as follows:

1. All questions and evidence of academic misconduct are reported to the Registrar.  The registrar convenes an Academic Standards committee to verify misconduct has taken place. 
2. All instances of verified misconduct are placed on the student’s record. The first infraction is a failure of the assignment. The second infraction is a failure of the course (even if the first infraction occurred in a different course). The third infraction is an academic suspension from Missional University.
3. The Registrar informs the student of the committee’s decision.
4. The student may appeal the committee’s decision, in writing, to the Provost, who will determine the final decision on the matter, and inform in writing the student and relevant parties.

Computing Ethics

Many students will use MU’s computing resources through courses or employment. Missional University stringently obeys copyright laws and license agreements that govern computer software. No student should ever make copies of university-owned computer software. Missional University has established a Code of Computing Ethics and an Academic Computing Policy.

Unprofessional, Unethical, and Dangerous Behavior

Missional University has a professional and ethical responsibility to evaluate students based on their ability to successfully carry out the tasks associated with their degree and/or required licensure (if applicable). As such, the faculty of Missional University will not approve program completion for students who demonstrate behaviors that may interfere with future professional competence and Missional University reserves the right to require a plan of remediation if any of the following apply:

• The student demonstrates unprofessional or unethical conduct while acting as a representative of Missional University, or in interactions with Missional University faculty, staff, or other students.
• The university determines that the student’s current emotional, mental or physical well-being compromise the integrity of the degree or licensure, or potentially place others in harm’s way or an unduly vulnerable position. Such action constitutes unprofessional, unethical, and/or dangerous behavior and is a violation of Missional University’s community standards. In any of these cases, a remediation plan will be formulated in conjunction with the appropriate dean, the student, and the Student Services Office. The purpose of the remediation plan is to assist students in correcting any deficits in his or her ability to successfully complete the requirements of his or her degree and/or required licensure so that the student may successfully complete the program. Remediation procedures can include actions such as repeating particular courses, obtaining personal counseling, completing additional assignments, or in extreme cases, academic suspension, or dismissal from Missional University.

Harassment & Discrimination

Missional University is committed to providing students and employees with an environment free of harassment. Any person or group who commits acts of harassment or discrimination based upon race, ethnicity, gender, or disability, on or off e-campus, will be subject to disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal from the university. Any act of harassment (i.e., physical, psychological, verbal, or sexual) that is threatening, is considered a serious offense and will not be tolerated.

Missional University is committed to providing students and employees with an environment free from all forms of sex-based discrimination, which can include acts of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and disrespect for one another. All members of the Missional University community are expected to treat everyone with a spirit of Christian love, mutual respect, and individual dignity. Missional University provides educational and spiritual programming to promote our commitment to biblical principles of abstinence and purity. Our programming also promotes the awareness of any type of sexual discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Sex-based misconduct offenses include, but are not limited to:

• Sexual harassment; sexual exploitation
• Non-consensual sexual contact (or attempts to commit same)
• Non-consensual sexual intercourse (or attempts to commit same) Other misconduct offenses, when based on sex or gender, include, but are not limited to:
  • Bullying
  • Domestic violence
  • Dating violence
  • Stalking

Reporting and Process

Any student who believes that he or she has been the subject of sexual harassment, discrimination, or assault in any form should immediately report the incident to Missional University’s Office of Student Services.

To report incidents of sexual harassment, discrimination, or assault to the Office of Student Services unless designated as a confidential reporting option. The university will provide prompt, compassionate, and discreet support to victims. When a student contacts the Office of Student Services, he or she will be given the opportunity to make a formal complaint. The office will take immediate steps to inquire or investigate a complaint, stop the occurrence of the harassment/violence, protect and prevent reoccurrence, provide support and resources to those affected or involved, and ensure the safety of the community. Interim measures and reasonable accommodations are available to affected parties. Regardless of the location of the incident, all reports will be investigated. Any reporting party may request confidentiality; however, requests for confidentiality are considered by the Office of Student Services on a case-by-case basis and the decision to approve or deny is based on student/community safety concerns.

In a situation involving sexual violence, a student’s request for confidentiality will be granted at the discretion of the Threat Assessment Team. In order to encourage reports of conduct prohibited under this policy, an alleged victim or cooperating witness that may have been involved in a community standards violation who makes a voluntary report or gives evidence to the Office of Student Services will be treated similarly to a self-report for community standards purposes. For example, if an alleged victim or cooperating witness reports a community standards violation or gives truthful testimony in support of a community standards investigation and that report or testimony implicates a student as having been involved with another community standards violation (e.g. immorality), the cooperating witness will not be sanctioned for that conduct. Under this provision, a cooperating witness may be asked to participate in development opportunities or educational services. Missional University strongly encourages that all forms of sexual harassment, discrimination, or assault be reported. If the student is not sure whether an incident qualifies as a violation of the Policy on Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, or Assault, he or she should contact the Director of Student Services

Consequences

Any act of sexual harassment, discrimination, assault or any other sex-based misconduct that interferes with the student-learning environment (as determined by the Office of Student Services), is a serious offense, and will not be tolerated. Any Missional University student who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal for a minimum of three academic terms.

Racial Harassment & Discrimination

Missional University insists that all members of the university community are entitled to and shall be afforded an environment free of racism—whether overt or subtle. Therefore, members of the university community will not tolerate racial discrimination or harassment of any kind. Behavior that constitutes racial discrimination or harassment is prohibited by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and is a violation of Missional University’s community standards. This includes, but is not limited to, racial/ethnic slurs, coarse jesting with racial/ethnic overtones, and other forms of communication resulting in disparagement or intimidation based on race or ethnicity.

Reporting and Process

• Report any incident of racial harassment or discrimination to the Office of Student Services or to the Chief Academic Officer
• The Office of Student Services will review the racial discrimination/harassment policy with the complainant.
• The complainant will complete and submit an official Statement for Record
• The complainant must decide whether to pursue a formal complaint, which may result in disciplinary action.
• The Conduct Review Committee will examine the results of the investigation and determine the best course of action.
• The Office of Student Services will conduct a final interview with the complainant.

Consequences

Any Missional University student who engages in racial discrimination or harassment is subject to disciplinary action, and/or possible administrative withdrawal. In addition, since the university takes such charges seriously, where the results of an investigation reveal a complaint of racial discrimination or harassment to be frivolous or groundless, the individual having made such a complaint may be subject to disciplinary action.

Student Complaints and Grievance Policy

While studying at Missional University, students should be free of unfair and improper action by any member of the academic community. A grievance may be initiated by a student when he/she believes that he/she has been subject to unjust action. When a student believes that an injustice has been done, he/she may seek redress through the following procedures:

Academic Grievances  

A student who feels he or she has been awarded an incorrect grade should first attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor concerned. If this fails to reach a satisfactory resolution, the student may submit a letter of appeal to the Dean of the school where the course is offered, on or before the last day of classes of the following term. The student should attach a copy of the course syllabus, copies of all graded work, and any other relevant documentation. If the Dean believes the student has made sufficient argument to have the grade examined, the Dean will assign another faculty member within the same department to review the student’s case. This faculty member will recommend a grade for all the course work to the dean. The Dean will then inform all parties (all faculty members involved, student, and registrar) of the final grade.

Non-Academic Grievances  

Missional University’s policy is outlined in the university’s policy on Harassment & Discrimination above.