Personal conduct in a supportive community must demonstrate an individual’s respect of people and for property.

The following behaviors are not acceptable and may be grounds for disciplinary action and/or dismissal from the university.

AIDING, ABETTING, OR CONSPIRING/COMPLICITY – Being present when another student violates university policy or enabling a student to commit a violation. When illegal substance and/or objects are present in a room, all occupants are held responsible.

CHEATING AND DISHONESTY - Students will be honorable in all of their academic work. Dishonesty in assignments, examinations, or any other academic work is an affront to fellow students and faculty and will not be tolerated.

COHABITATION – Living/residing with a non-related person of the opposite sex outside the bonds of marriage. This includes sharing hotel rooms.

COMPLIANCE WITH UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS  – Students are expected to comply with all requests of any University official, including requests to see Student ID, and to respond truthfully to any questions posed to the student by University officials.

DANCING - Dancing is not discouraged in environments that reflect the Point Loma Nazarene University behavioral covenant. However, dancing is not a part of university-sponsored social activities. We hold that all forms of dancing that detract from spiritual growth and break down proper moral inhibitions and reserve and should be avoided.

UNIVERSITY-SPONSORED SOCIAL ACTIVITIES - First, all student groups are governed by this policy. Second, the term "university-sponsored" as used in this policy will include the following:

1. The university and organizations of the university will not be involved in any form of support, encouragement or organization of an activity involving dancing.
2. Officers of university clubs and/or organizations will not use their positions to support an event involving dancing.
3. Clubs and/or organizations will not allow their names to be used to support an event involving dancing.
4. University media will not provide advertising space, print or broadcast coverage of an event involving dancing.
5. The University will not allow publicizing of any event involving dancing.

DANGEROUS PRACTICES/RECKLESS BEHAVIOR – Activities that endanger the lives or safety of the student or of others in any building or on any property owned or operated by the university. This includes, but is not limited to, students climbing on roofs or hanging from ceilings and ledges of walkways, propping doors in residence halls, throwing objects from windows or balconies or elevated walkways, and disclosing or giving residence hall door access to unauthorized persons.

DISSENT - The University agrees that the right to dissent is essential to the maintenance of academic freedom in the university. However, dissent or protest against a particular position, action or situation can be permitted only when such protest does not restrict the freedom of thought and movement of others who hold different views. Those who dissent, above all in an academic community, should be willing to permit the free expression of ideas and positions other than their own and in a manner consistent with the University’s mission. Attempts by unauthorized persons to counter such protests will not be condoned. Persons who engage in any form of protest which impedes or obstructs others in the exercise of their freedom or which interferes with the orderly procedures and activities of the University or isdestructive will result in disciplinary and/or legal action.

DISTURBING THE PEACE AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY - Whenever any student, student organization, or group of students, disturbs the peace, destroys, defaces, or removes university property without permission, the students, the officers of the organization (if there be such), or the involved persons will be held responsible.

ENTERTAINMENT - Students are not to attend or participate in entertainment which diminishes moral perceptivity and judgment.

FALSIFICATION - Any student who knowingly falsifies or is a party to the falsification of any official university record, misuse of ID cards, meal tickets, parking permits, or chapel attendance records, will be subject to disciplinary action.

FILMS - All films (other than those shown in a classroom situation) shown by groups or individuals under the sponsorship of Point Loma Nazarene University must have prior approval from the event sponsor or an advisor.

FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES - A student who deliberately writes "bad checks" (insufficient funds) or commits a forgery will be subject to university discipline as well as possible legal action.

FIRE EQUIPMENT- Public Safety requires that fire-extinguishing equipment, fire alarms, smoke detectors and any other emergency equipment be kept only for authorized use. The law prohibits any other use.

FIREARMS, FIREWORKS/EXPLOSIVES AND WEAPONS - The possession of, sale of or firing of fireworks, firecrackers, explosives (including, but not limited to, pipe bombs, dry ice bombs, and other such homemade devices), guns and other items of similar nature is prohibited by university regulations and by city, county and state ordinances.

GAMBLING - Gambling in any form is prohibited.

HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION - It is against university policy to harass or discriminate against any member of the university community on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age, or disability and/or veteran status. Such actions are prohibited not only by university policy, but also by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Applicable law prohibits other types of harassment. Violation of these acts may subject individuals or groups to disciplinary action and may have legal consequences.

HAZING - Hazing is not allowed on campus or within the university groups. Matt’s Law prohibits Hazing in California. The text states...

1. “that it is unlawful to engage in hazing. Defines "hazing" as any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause, serious bodily injury to any pupil or other person attending any school, community college, college, university, or other educational institution in California. The term "hazing" does not include customary athletic events or school-sanctioned events.
2. Provides that hazing that does not result in serious bodily injury is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $5,000; imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year; or both.
3. Provides that any person who personally engages in hazing that results in death or seriousbodily injury is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding one year or by imprisonment in the state prison.
4. Provides that the person against whom the hazing is directed may commence a civil action forinjury or damages. The action may be brought against any participants in the hazing or any organization to which the student is seeking membership whose agents, directors, trustees, managers, or officers authorized, requested, commanded, participated in, or ratified the hazing.
5. Provides that prosecution under this section shall not prohibit prosecution under any other provision of law.
6. Provides that this act shall be known and may be cited as "Matt's Law" in memory of Matthew William Carrington who died on February 20, 2005 as a result of hazing.

Point Loma Nazarene University supports only those activities that are constructive, educational, and inspirational and that contribute to the intellectual and personal development of the students. The university unequivocally opposes any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. The university interprets hazing as any act, whether physical, mental, emotional or psychological, that subjects another person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to anythingthat may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass, or intimidate an individual,or which may in any fashion compromise an individual's inherent dignity as a person. In addition, anyrequirements by a member or pledge which compels another member or pledge to participate in any activity that is against university policy, state or federal law will be defined as hazing. It is the right ofevery student on this campus to be free from the humility and danger of hazing. Hazing by any individual or organization shall be viewed as incongruent with the mission and values of the university. Each organization is responsible for designing programs that recognize the moral, spiritual, and intellectual qualities of human rights. Clubs and organizations must review a detailed definition of hazing in the Office of Community Life. Compliance with this description is required. http://www.insidehazing.com/matts_law.php

LITTERING – Disposing of refuse of any kind on university property except in receptacles provided.

MISREPRESENTATION OR FORGERY/FALSIFICATION OF RECORDS – Providing false identification or information to university officials with intent to deceive. This also includes the unauthorized use of any Point Loma Nazarene University document or instrument of identification. Falsification of any university records or documents is also prohibited.

OBSCENE LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, AND MUSIC - Vulgar, foul, obscene, or profane language is not to be tolerated on campus at any time. Pornographic materials or media (i.e. music, images, video), obscene literature and pictures are also not to be tolerated.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE  - The Point Loma Nazarene University community affirms that theappearance of students should be consistent with an environment of vital Christianity. Simplicity and modesty are two values especially relevant to our campus situation. Certainly, for any dress policy to be effective, common sense and personal discretion by the members of the community are essential.

The following guidelines will be helpful:

• Bodily cleanliness and neatness of dress are essential on the part of everyone.
• Shoes or footwear must be worn in any building, including visitation lounges of residence halls.
• Clothing should be appropriate to the occasion and in good taste, reflecting the atmosphere of vital Christianity, which is one of the basic objectives of Point Loma Nazarene University. Personal appearance should not disrupt the mood or atmosphere of the activity being attended. Some examples will be helpful: Halter-tops, tube tops, muscle shirts, clothing revealing undergarments,and any clothing with unwholesome advertising.
• The University employee who is designated as the official in charge of a specific building or facility may set stricter guidelines for appropriate clothing. This would include faculty in the classrooms, residence directors in the residence halls (especially during Open House hours),the Athletic Director in all Athletic facilities, and the Chaplain for Chapel.

PHYSICAL/SEXUAL BEHAVIOR - Students engaged in inappropriate physical/sexual behavior are recognized as destructive to an environment of vital Christianity. Such behavior will result in disciplinary action.

PREGNANCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - At PLNU, we strongly believe that Christian conduct is a lifestyle. However, we acknowledge that anyone can make decisions that bring about serious consequences. In the event that an unmarried student should become pregnant, PLNU will support her spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. As for enrollment, no student will be dismissed from PLNU due to pregnancy. If the student is currently living in a residence hall, she will be required to move off-campus by the semester break. PLNU will assist the student and ensure proper confidentiality in accordance with PLNU policy. It is recommended that the student initially consult with either a Resident Director, a staff member of the Wellness Center, Student Development or Spiritual Development where she can discuss her options and obtain support, education and information about her pregnancy.

PROFANITY – Any words or expressions that are not considered social appropriate within a Christian community are considered improper.

PROOF OF STUDENT STATUS - Point Loma Nazarene University requires that all students be able to show proof of current student status (Student ID) upon request by officials of the university; specifically university staff and faculty, public safety personnel, resident assistants and chapel scanners. The ID remains the property of the university.

SALES/ADVERTISING ON CAMPUS - No sales, solicitation, selling "parties" or advertising is permitted on campus without permission of the Student Development Office.

SETTING A FIRE/ARSON – Fire Setting - Lighting a fire without authorization. Intentional or unintentional fire setting on university property. Arson – Fires set with the intention of destroying property.

SKATING - No skate boarding, razor skating, blade skating or roller-skating is allowed on campus.

STATEMENT OF IMPEDING - Point Loma Nazarene University reserves the right to remove from the residence halls and/or campus students whose behaviors and/or actions impede the success of other students, staff, or faculty.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS - The concern of the university is to know that any organization on campus identifies its goals and objectives and that these are compatible with the philosophy and regulations of the university. Each organization, whether local or of outside affiliation, must obtain official recognition by whatever method is currently in operation at the university. See the Associated Student Body for further details.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS - Student publications at Point Loma Nazarene University are under direction of the Media Board. Such publications are a part of the total campus life, and in the finest tradition of journalism, they must present an objective point of view, accuracy in facts, opposing views or a variety of views on controversial issues. All campus publications are subject to approval of the President of the university as a condition of authority to operate.

STUDENT SUBSTANCE USE/POSSESSION POLICY - Many evangelical and holiness advocates, including PLNU, note how difficult it is to actually use alcohol "temperately", and have decided that abstinence from it, not moderation with it, is the wisest way to live. The simplest way to avoid drunkenness is simply not to drink.

This life conviction was especially real for the founders of this institution. With a major mother church being in downtown Los Angeles, the destructive social and spiritual impact of alcohol upon individuals and families was highly visible. Therefore, our founders held tightly to thislifestyle of abstinence. Today, one of the major negatives to students succeeding in higher education is alcohol. (See Harvard study at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/cas/). The current studies emphasize the wisdom of our founders used in holding the abstinence position for the PLNU community. The resulting policy places our university in an advantageous position.

• The university requires that students abstain from the use or possession of illegal drugs
• The university requires that students abstain from the use or possession of alcoholic beverages
• The university requires that students abstain from the use or possession of smoking products and tobacco products

A student who uses or who is in possession of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, alcohol, smoking products and/or tobacco products has breached a contract signed as a part of the joint student/university decision to be admitted to the university. Any profane, aggressive or abusive behavior by the student during a confrontation regarding potential substance use and/or possession may result in dismissal. Other extenuating circumstances may also result in dismissal after a first time breach of contract including, but not limited to, selling or trafficking of alcohol or illegal drugs.

In other words, students who provide alcohol or drugs to other students are subject to immediate dismissal. Students who host events where alcohol is served are also subject to immediate dismissal. A student’s refusal to test for alcohol or illegal drugs will be interpreted as an admission of guilt. This commitment to abstain from the use or possession of illegal drugs, alcohol, smoking and use of tobacco products applies to all enrolled or pre-enrolled students and this agreement includes all academic and summer recesses.

First Offense:

Therefore, any use or possession of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, alcohol, smoking products and/or tobacco products, as a first offense, will result in the following:

1. Notification of Parents
2. Suspension: Any student who uses or possesses illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, alcohol, smoking products and/or tobacco products will be suspended for two academic class days.
3. Community Service: The identified student will also complete community service while working closely with a university employee or designee.
4. Mentorship: A 10-week mentorship program which includes reflective questions relating to university mission and students commitment to the mission

Note: Students choosing not to be tested for these substances will receive consequences for the offense in question.

The university reserves the right to refer drug or illegal behavior to appropriate civil authorities.

Second Offense:

 
A student who uses or who is in possession of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, alcohol, smoking products and/or tobacco products as a second offense must leave campus immediately.

THEFT AND BURGLARY - Breaking and entering, petty larceny, thefts, embezzling of funds, and similar activities are considered to be major offenses against the university community and will be subject to disciplinary action by the university in addition to possible civil prosecution.

THREATS AND VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS OR PROPERTY - A supportive community cannot exist where threats occur or where people fear injury or harm. Therefore, threats of violence or violence against persons will result in immediate removal from the university and from university property.

THROWING FOOD OR OTHER ITEMS IN THE NICHOLSON COMMONS - The Nicholson Commons is a central meeting place designed to foster relationships and the PLNU spirit. It was designed to be the campus living room. Students diminish the spirit by throwing food or other items and writing on walls.

• First Offense - A student or students throwing napkins, food or any other items in the Nicholson Commons will perform ten hours of community service and be responsible for the cost of clean up.
• Second Offense – A student or students with a second violation may be removed from the university.

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY – Entering into any university building, facility, or area without authorization.

UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF KEYS - The possession of keys by students or the making of duplicate keys to campus properties without being specifically issued by authorized campus personnel is prohibited.

UNAUTHORIZED PRESENCE, IMPROPER USE – Unauthorized presence on or improper use of, any Point Loma Nazarene University property. This includes the unauthorized use of university facilities (i.e. private parties, misuse of the Nicholson Commons, soliciting, distribution of advertising materials). Intentionally trespassing in areas from which individuals have been banned by previous orders.

UNIVERSITY EMAIL - The University’s official mode of communicating with students is the local network email system.

VISITORS TO THE CAMPUS - The campuses of Point Loma Nazarene University are provided primarily to accommodate the immediate university community, (i.e. students, faculty and staff), and as a private independent university, the campuses are private property. The University reserves the right to regulate admission of visitors and to require visitors to obtain a permit under controlled conditions.

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS - The University may, from time to time, enact and publish additional policies and regulations. These will be added to the online version of the Student Handbook. The student body will be emailed when such a change is made.