STUDENT HANDBOOK © 2012 WELCOME TO RUSANGU UNIVERSITY (RU) This Handbook is intended to provide you with the basic information, which you need to have as a student. It defines your role, rights, privileges, and parameters. It is, therefore, to your advantage to study it and acquaint yourself with its contents right from the beginning before you get too busy with your class assignments. Moreover, it forms the pivot upon which all other activities on this campus revolve. However, regulations stated herein are under continuous review by the University administration, changes and amendments take effect upon being announced on campus. The Rusangu University is owned and funded by the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. As a church, we believe that true education is one, which affects the total person by developing his/her spiritual, academic, physical and social faculties. It is hoped therefore, that you will take advantage of the excellence environment and facilities to develop in each of these areas. The administrators, faculty, and staff are prepared to guide you to reach your maximum potential. It is our hope that your stay here will be a pleasant one and a most rewarding experience. Administration, Faculty and Staff 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 05 Brief History of RU……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 05 Philosophy of RU…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 05 Mission statement…………………………………………………………………………………………………08 Vision……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….08 Admission……………………………..............................................................................................................08 Student Pledge……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 09 Student Rights and Responsibilities………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 Recognition…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10 Right to Learning Environment…………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Place of Spiritual Nurture…………………………………………………………………………………………. 10 Personal Interactions……………………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Academic Recognition……………………………………………………………………………………........... 11 Personal Welfare and Safety…………………………………………………………………………………….. 11 Office space for Clubs and Organizations……………………………………………………………………… 11 Opinion, Belief and Experience………………………………………………………………………………….. 11 Impartial Discipline…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Handling Grievances……………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 Appeal……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 Spiritual Life……………………………………………............................................................................................. 13 Christian Fellowship………………………………………………………………………………………. ……… 13 Sabbath Celebration……………………………………………………………………………………… ……… 13 Personal/Private Devotions………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 Daily Worship…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 Week of Spiritual Emphasis…………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 The Annual Adventist Youth Week…………….................................................................................……… 14 Campus Ministries………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 Absences………………………………………………………………………………………………………................ 16 Lateness…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16 Handling Absences……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Off Campus Leaves……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 Categories of Leaves……………………………........................................................................................... 18 Leave Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18 Leave Requests Procedure……………………………………………………………………………………… 18 Group Activities held off Campus……………………………………………………………………………….. 18 Chaperonage………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 Insurance………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 2 Student Services………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 Food Services………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 Insurance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Health Services…………………………………………………………………………………… ……….21 Academic Services……………………………………………………………………………….. ……. 21 Student Savings…………………………………………………………………………………………. 21 Telephone………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22 Mail……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22 Library Services…………………………………………………………………………………………. 22 Auxiliary Enterprises…………………………………………………………………………………….. 22 Lost and Found…………………………………………………………………………………………… 22 Financial Aid………………………………………........................................................................................ 23 Work Programme……………………………………………………………………………………….. 23 Social Life………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24 Association between Men and Women………………………………………………………………… 24 Marriages…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Social Gatherings and Celebrations……………………………………………………………………. 25 Music………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 25 Entertainment/Recreation…………………………………………………………………………......... 25 Videos…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26 Student Conduct and Behavior Expectations……………………………………………………………….. 27 Philosophy………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27 Student Demonstrations………………………………………………………………………………… 27 Off Campus Responsibility……………………………………………………………………………… 28 Corrective Disciplinary measures…………….................................................................................. 28 Probation…………………………………………………………………………………………. 28 Suspension………………………………………………………………………………………. 28 Withdrawal……………………………………………………………………………………….. 28 Composition of the Disciplinary Committee……………………………………………………………29 Disciplinary Committee: Rules & Procedure…………………………………………………………… 30 Powers of the Disciplinary Committee…………………………………………………………………. 30 Appeals on Disciplinary Action………………………………………………………………………….. 30 Student Decorum………………………………………................................................................................ 31 Dress Standard…………………………………………………………………………………………… 31 Organizations……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33 Student Association………………………………………………………………………………………. 33 Criterion for Student Representative Council Leadership….. ……………………………………….. 33 Campus Clubs……………………………………………………………………………………………. 33 National Groups………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34 Sponsors………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34 Student Office Qualifications……………………………………………………………………………. 42 3 Appeal……………………………………………………………………………………………………..42 Quorum……………………………………………………………………………………………………42 Finances…………………………………………………………………………………………………... 43 Housing Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 44 Campus Halls of Residence……………………………………………………………………………… ………….43 Guests to Halls of Residence…………………………………………………………………………….. …………43 Use of Dormitory Facilities by non-boarding …………………………………………………………………….. 43 Rest………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 43 Room Care……………………………………………………………………………………………………………43 Room Courtesy……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 44 Room Keys……………………………………………………………………………………………………………44 Showers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….44 Laundry………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 44 Right of Entry into Student’s Room…………………………………………………………………………………44 Personal Property Protection………………………………………………………………………………………. 44 Fire Hazards…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 44 Married Ladies………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 45 Study Periods…………………………………………………………………………………………………………45 Night Room Check………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 45 Pets…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 45 Resident Assistants………………………………………………………………………………………………… 45 Hostel Rules…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 46 General Regulations……………………………………………………………………………………………… 47 Students’ Presence on Campus…………………………………………………………………………………… 47 Remaining in Halls of Residence over Vacations………………………………………………………………… 47 Conservation of Limited Resources………………............................................................................................ 47 Posting of Placards and Signs……………………………………………………………………………………… 47 Practicum and Work Experience…………………............................................................................................. 47 Off Campus Students Attendance at University meetings……………………………………………………… 47 Vehicles……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 48 Curfew…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………48 Property damage and loss………………………………………………………………………………… ………..48 4 SECTION 01 INTRODUCTION A BRIEF HISTORY OF RUSANGU UNIVERSITY (RU) Rusangu University traces its historical roots in the Missionary endeavors of an American Missionary named, William Harry Anderson who until 1903 was the Principal of Solusi Mission. He crossed over in the company of several African Adventist Workers namely; Jacob Detcha, Philip Malomo, Jack Mahlatini Mpofu and Andrew Nyakana and established Rusangu Mission in 1905. It initially opened in 1975 at Rusangu Ministerial School. It was the sole institution in the country that provided Ministerial training to most of the Pastors serving the Zambian Adventist territory. It later had its name changed to Zambia Adventist Seminary to broaden the scope for the theological training that was being offered. In December 1993, a decision was made to re-locate it to Musofu in Chief Chitina’s area in Mkushi. However, in 1994, the institution was closed so as to have adequate time to plan for its re-organization and upgrading. In 1997, the institution’s name was changed to Zambia Adventist College due to its extended intended mission of incorporating other academic and professional; disciplines in addition to theology. In the year 2000, the college re-opened and began to run In-service