Student Guide 2020-21 Houghton College
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Student Guide 2020-21 Houghton College TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents 2 Pregnancy 17 Welcome to Houghton College 4 Public Displays of Affection 18 Purpose and Provisions of the Student Guide 5 Resources 18 Houghton College Mission Statement 5 Same-Sex Romantic Behavior 18 Student Life Mission Statement 5 Revision and Scope of Policy 19 Houghton College Nondiscriminatory Policy 6 Self-Reporting 19 Student Life Team 6 Training of Commitments in a Common Life 20 Student Life Housing Calendar 7 COVID-19 Specific Policies 20 A Vision of Our Common Life 8 Commitments in a Common Life 12 Masking 21 Philosophy of Conduct 12 Social Distancing 21 Student Rights & Responsibilities 12 Travel Restrictions 21 Common Life: Responsibilities to the Individual Visitor Policies 21 13 Student Resources 22 Drugs and Alcohol 13 Athletics, Intramurals & Recreation 22 Language, Profanity, and Hateful Speech 14 Center for Student Success 23 Personal Appearance 14 Academic Support 24 Technology Usage Policy 14 Career Services 24 Tobacco & E-cigarettes 14 Counseling Services 24 Common Life: Responsibilities to the Dining Services 25 Community 14 The Highlanders Shop 28 Altercations 14 Intercultural Student Engagement 30 Chapel Attendance 14 Orientation Programs 30 Disruptive Behaviors 15 Residence Life & Housing 31 Hazing 15 Residency Requirements 33 Occult Practice 15 Safety and Security 34 Quiet Hours 15 Spiritual Life 36 Theft and Vandalism 16 Student Engagement 38 Weapons 16 Student Health Services 40 Common Life: Responsibilities in Intimacy 16 Sustainability Office 42 Gender Identity 17 Transportation Assistance 42 Harassment and Sexual Violence 17 Willard J. Houghton Library 43 Open Hours 17 General STUDENT Policies 44 Pornography 17 Academic Advising 44 2 | Page Co-Curricular Eligibility 45 Required Residence Hall meetings 62 Excused Absences 45 Room Condition Reports/Room Contracts 62 FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Storage 62 Act 46 Vacations/Breaks 63 Medical Leave/Withdrawal Policy 46 Windows and Screens 63 Sabbath Observance 47 Student Conduct Policy 64 Student Grievance Policy 48 Responsibilities of Members of the Community Disability Grievance Procedure 48 64 Service Animal Policy 49 Student Disciplinary Assurances and Responsibilities 64 Sexual Discrimination & Violence 54 Student Conduct Committee 65 Title IX 54 Student Conduct Procedures 66 Title IX Coordinator 54 Investigations of Non-Title IX Violations 55 Appeals 67 Residential Student Policies 56 Disciplinary Sanctions 70 Informing Parents/Legal Guardians 73 Appliances 56 Bicycles 56 General College Policies 74 Community Living Options (CLO) 56 Network and Technology Usage 74 Creation Care (In Residences) 56 Campus-Wide E-mail Policy 74 Decorations 57 Internet Piracy 74 Early Arrival (Fall) 57 Pedestrian Safety Policy 75 Fines 58 Solicitation Policy 76 Fire Safety (in residence halls) 58 Student Employment 76 Guests 59 Van Dyk Lounge (Campus Center) 78 Hall Entrances 59 Vehicle Use Policy 78 Hall Lounges 59 Video/Motion Pictures Policy 79 Hallway Safety 59 Writing Bad Checks 80 Hall Opening and Closing (Breaks) 60 Locks 60 General Information 81 Lofts 60 Campus Phone Numbers 81 Mayterm Housing Policy 60 Area Services and Resources 83 Microwave Usage 60 Area Restaurants 84 Musical Instruments 61 General Updates and Revisions 84 Pets 61 Prohibited Items 61 Repairs/Maintenance Requests 61 3 | Page WELCOME TO HOUGHTON COLLEGE It is my privilege to welcome you to Houghton College for the 2020-21 academic year. College can be a time of incredible growth and challenge. As our world continues to confront the new realities of life post-COVID-19, I pray that this may still be a season of development for you—in faith, wisdom, and love. Life as a student at Houghton provides a unique opportunity to be surrounded by people who share a common mission: to develop students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds into people who lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world. We do this by providing an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences. All that is contained within this guide is dedicated to fulfilling that important yet difficult purpose. The Student Guide is designed to provide you with the relevant information to optimize your growth potential at Houghton. From the newly revised Vision for and Commitments in a Common Life, which states our aspirations for every member of our community, to the pages of federal, state, and campus policies, we have done our best to give you the most up-to-date information to make informed decisions. While you may not choose to read the entire document now, it is wise to at least scan and “bookmark” this document for future reference. Should you have any questions, please contact me through the Office of Student Life, located in the Reinhold Campus Center, main floor in the Student Life Office Suite, or by calling 585-567- 9220. May the Lord richly bless you and keep you. Marc A. Smithers Dean of Students 4 | Page Purpose and Provisions of the Student Guide The purpose of the Student Guide is to give students a reference to their rights and responsibilities in the Houghton College community. The guide contains references to relevant laws and campus policies, procedures, rules and information of which you should be familiar. Students should consider this a resource and should consult it on a regular basis, particularly when questions arise about shared community values and behavioral expectations. The provisions of the Student Guide do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between Houghton College and any applicant, student, student’s family member, or faculty/staff member. Houghton College reserves the right to change the policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and information at any time – and with due notification. Changes will become effective at the time the proper authorities so determine and the changes will apply to any admitted and enrolled student. Contents within the Student Guide conveys general information only. It is not intended to, nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. Houghton College rules, regulations, and policies applicable to students are listed in the Student Guide and other student-related publications. Since the Student Guide and other student-related publications may be revised semester to semester, it is the responsibility of the student to view revisions online or to obtain revisions from the Student Life Office. Copies of this guide are free and available to all students at the Student Life Office. Students who wish to file a complaint or grievance, but are unable to determine what procedure to follow should contact the Dean of Students at 585-567-9220 or [email protected]. Houghton College Mission Statement Houghton College provides an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds and equips them to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world. Student Life Mission Statement The Office of Student Life at Houghton College seeks to foster a Christ-centered, multicultural, empowering, and educationally purposeful community that develops students holistically by supporting, celebrating, and sharpening them. 5 | Page Houghton College Nondiscriminatory Policy Houghton College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences, sponsored by the Wesleyan Church and asserts its right to employ persons who subscribe to the intent, mission, Statement of Faith and Community Responsibilities of the college. As a Christian College we strongly affirm that all persons have intrinsic value and should be treated with love, kindness, respect, dignity and grace. It is the policy of Houghton College not to discriminate against any student, employee or applicant for employment based on: ● Age ● Military or Veteran status ● Race ● Marital Status* ● Color ● Parental Status ● National Origin ● Disability ● Sex ● Sexual Orientation* *Houghton College does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, but does discriminate on the basis of sexual misconduct as defined by our sponsoring denomination, the Wesleyan Church. Houghton College provides equal opportunity in recruiting, hiring and employment. All personnel actions, including but not limited to, hiring, promotion, transfer, termination, compensation, benefits, and training will be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws. The College complies with all federal, state and local nondiscrimination in employment laws. Student Life Team The Student Life Leadership Team consists of the following: (alphabetically by last name) ● Katie Breitigan Director of Residence Life & Housing ● David Brubaker, MD Director of Health Services ● Bill Burrichter, PhD Exec. Director, Center for Student Success ● Kim Cockle Administrative Assistant/PDSO ● Helena Oden Director of Campus Store ● Ray Parlett Director of Safety & Security ● Marc Smithers Dean of Students ● A.C. Taylor Director of Student Engagement ● Matthew Webb, PhD Athletic Director 6 | Page STUDENT LIFE HOUSING CALENDAR August 21-23 | New and Returning Students move-in at assigned times 24-28 | Orientation, Reorientation, and Leadership Training Programming 31 | Classes begin (first-week remote instruction) September 7 | In-person class instruction begins November 25 | Residence halls close for semester at 12:00 PM 30 | Classes resume (remote instruction) December 11 | Classes end 14-18 | Finals Week (Spring