HEALTH, WELLNESS, SAFTEY AND STUDENT CONDUCT

WAU is a drug-free campus. The University recognizes that the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages presents a danger to personal health. Use of these products by members of the WAU community is prohibited. No member of the community may use or possess tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drug products on or off campus.

COUNSELING SERVICES

Free counseling is available in the following areas:

Academic Counseling and Learning Assistance: Betty Howard Center for Student Success, ext. 4106. 

Financial Counseling: Financial Aid Office (financial aid, financial planning, debt counseling), ext. 4005.

Personal Counseling: Personal Counseling is virtual, which can be accessed through The UwillApp which you must download on your smart mobile device.  Please contact the Center for Student Life at 301-891-4525 for details on how to access our virtual counseling services.

COUNSELING HOTLINES

Please note: The following policies for mental and emotional health concerns.

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH DISTURBANCES

University official responsibilities - when a University official or employee becomes aware of a situation suggesting a mental health disturbance, contact security to request assistance.  The security officer on duty will submit an incident report to Campus Safety.

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

A decision regarding the student’s continuation at the University will be made using procedures contained in WAU’s Student Handbook, under Mental Health Disturbances.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Redemptive and restorative discipline is at times necessary.  It seeks to awaken the moral and spiritual sensitivities of the student relative to the infractions committed. It is firm and deliberate, while simultaneously student-centered and compassionate.  By deliberately emphasizing redemptive discipline, the school models God’s attitude toward wrongdoing, His forgiveness, restoration, and desire for character building.

Individuals assume certain responsibilities for upholding and maintaining the standards and expectations of the community to which they belong.  Acceptance to WAU constitutes voluntary commitment to uphold the University’s standards.  Therefore, WAU expects students to comply with God’s law, civil laws, and University regulations.  Student conduct that violates these laws and regulations will result in disciplinary action.

When necessary, counsel, advice, and restrictions may be given by the residence hall deans, Student Life Committee, and/or Vice President of the Center for Student Life.  A student who may be subject to serious discipline will be counseled by the appropriate personnel, usually the Vice President of the Center for Student Life or his/her designee, regarding his/her rights and possible disciplinary actions.  Some disciplinary procedures are addressed by the Conduct and Guidance Committee.  The Vice President of the Center for Student Life or his/her designee may take immediate disciplinary action that could include suspension or dismissal.

When policy violations are of an egregious nature, the Vice President of the Center for Student Life may meet with the student and, if necessary, will contact the chair of the Conduct and Guidance Committee to convene a meeting.  The Vice President of the Center for Student Life will provide the committee with the student’s written statement, which is to include the student’s perception of the incident and his/her understanding of what occurred in the conference/meeting with the Vice President of the Center for Student Life and/or his/her designee.  The Conduct and Guidance Committee will meet to discuss the situation and make a decision about the appropriate action to be taken.  The student has the right to meet with the Conduct and Guidance Committee when his/her case is discussed.  The student also has the right to choose a WAU faculty/staff member as an advocate.  Only the WAU faculty/staff advocate selected by the student may accompany the student to the committee meeting.

The Chair of the Conduct and Guidance Committee or his/her designee will verbally notify the student of the committee’s decision.  Please note: Verbal notification is officially binding.  The student will also be notified by letter from either the Vice President of the Center for Student Life, the Chair of the Conduct and Guidance Committee, or the appropriate designee.  The letter will become part of the student’s official record.  Notice of the action will be made available to University employees or departments directly related to the student concerned.

If a student refuses to meet with the Conduct and Guidance Committee, the committee will meet, discuss the situation, and make a decision. 

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

Complaints against a student organization are filed with the University Conduct Officer or their designee in the Center for Student Life.  The Conduct Officer has the right to determine whether further action needs to be taken.  In most cases, the complaint will be sent to the University Conduct and Guidance Committee. 

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES APPEALS PROCESS

A residence hall student who has received discipline from the residence hall deans may appeal the decision to the Vice President of the Center for Student Life.

A student may appeal disciplinary actions imposed by the Conduct and Guidance Committee.  To appeal a decision, the student must submit a written appeal to the Vice President of the Center for Student Life within 24 hours of the committee’s decision.  The following must be the basis for an appeal:

• New information is available that was not available earlier, and is relevant to the decision.
• The Conduct and Guidance Committee did not adhere to proper procedures as outlined in the Student Handbook.
• The written appeal must be given to the Vice President of the Center for Student Life or his/her designee, who may make a decision to grant or deny the appeal, and approve it to go before a special appeals committee (an ad hoc committee). If the appeal is granted, an ad hoc committee will hear the appeal.
• Students must abide by the stated disciplinary consequences of the Conduct and Guidance Committee and/or those of the Vice President of the Center for Student Life or of his/her designee, pending the final outcome of the appeals process. 
• If a student is granted an appeal before a Special Appeals Committee, the decision of the committee is final.  The committee may uphold the decision of the Conduct and Guidance Committee or that of the Vice President of the Center for Student Life or his/her designee, or it may reach a decision that is of lesser or greater consequence than the original decision.
• In any disciplinary situation, a student has the right to a Washington Adventist University faculty/staff advocate of his/her own choosing.

If the student feels that the stated appeals process has not been followed, the student may appeal, in writing, to the President of the University, requesting a review of the process.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

The following disciplinary actions are adopted by WAU with the intent to provide flexibility to the disciplinary process.  Please note: The following actions are not in sequential order of disciplinary actions that will be taken.  Washington Adventist University reserves the right to amend, change, and/or determine what actions are to be imposed.  They include, but are not limited to:

1. Warning -written notice that continuation or repetition of inappropriate conduct may be cause for more serious disciplinary action.

2. Community Service - duties assigned, preferably related to the infraction. 3. Fines - a sum of money to be paid for the infraction.

3. Fines - a sum of money to be paid for the infraction. Fines - a sum of money to be paid for the infraction.

4. Restitution - reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property. Reimbursement may take the form of appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages.

5. Restriction:

6. Probation - a trial period during which a student/organization has an opportunity to prove that he/she/it can be a responsible and effective member of the WAU community. During the probation period, the student/organization may be subject to the following actions:

7. Suspension - shall be for a specific period of time or until a specific condition is met, after which time the student must apply to the Vice President of the Center for Student Life for reinstatement. If one is suspended more than once during an academic year, he/she will automatically be dismissed.

8. Dismissal (Please note: This policy pertains to citizenship and not to academic dismissal - see the Academic Catalog for the Academic Policy)

9. Expulsion:

10. Removal from Residence Halls - Temporary or permanent removal from residence halls as a resident and/or guest. Any conditions for reinstatement will be stated in the notice of exclusion from residence hall living.

HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION 

1. The University will not condone or tolerate any harassment, including sexual harassment, of its students, employees, customers, guests, vendors, or suppliers. Harassment of, or discrimination against, applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, or disability (all as defined and protected by applicable law) or on any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This policy applies to all persons - students, administrators, managers, supervisors, and employees, including student employees.  Harassment will not be tolerated at any University-sponsored events, including, by way of example, conferences and University picnics. This is a zero-tolerance policy.

2. Sexual harassment has been defined generally as including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, whenever 

3. Sexual harassment is not limited to demands for sexual favors. It also may include such actions as:

4. Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature, or consensual personal and social relationships without a discriminatory employment effect. It refers to behavior that is not welcome and that is personally intimidating, hostile, or offensive.

5. Harassment on other grounds, including race, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other ground prohibited by local, state, or federal law, is also prohibited. Harassment includes jokes, verbal abuse and epithets, degrading comments, the display of offensive objects and pictures, and other conduct that the individual might reasonably find to be offensive. This policy prohibiting harassment, whether sexual or of another nature, is not limited to relationships between and among employees and prospective employees, but also extends to interaction with customers, students, guests, vendors, or suppliers. No employee shall ever subject any customer, student, guest, vendor, or supplier of the University to harassment, including sexual harassment, of any nature, including the conduct described above. Furthermore, no employee will be required to suffer harassment, including sexual harassment or discriminatory conduct, by any customer, student, guest, vendor, or supplier.

6. Complaint Procedures

HEALTH SERVICES

For more information regarding our virtual health services, call ext. 4525 and/or send an email message to Slr@wau.edu.  

Health, Accident, and Sports Insurance

Like many Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities, Washington Adventist University requires all full-time domestic and international students to carry health insurance coverage.  Students registered for six or more credit hours are required to have health insurance coverage.  Insurance applications must be submitted for Health Clearance at registration each academic year.

PLEASE NOTE: With the exception of Nursing students, proof of personal insurance or a signed waiver must be completed and submitted to the Center for Student Life no later than September 30th of each year for fall semester.  If the 30th falls on the weekend, the waiver must be submitted by the Friday before the 30th.  For students entering WAU for spring semester, the personal insurance and waiver must be completed and submitted by January 30th of each year. If the 30th falls on the weekend, the waiver must be submitted by the Friday before the 30th.  EVERY student must show proof of personal health insurance each year.  Nursing students must submit proof of insurance directly to the Nursing Department, in keeping with their academic requirements for participating in clinical education.

All students are required to purchase insurance on their valuables.  The University is NOT responsible for loss of personal items.  YOU MUST CARRY YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES.  Waiver forms can be obtained in the Center for Student Life office WH 104. Students participating in the Intercollegiate Sports programs will be enrolled in a sports insurance plan through the Athletic Department.  The fee for this coverage will be placed on the students’ accounts.  The state of Maryland requires all colleges and universities to mandate that all students living in residence halls be immunized against meningitis.  If a student does not wish to get this immunization, a signed waiver must be on file in the Center for Student Life office, and with the respective residence hall dean.  If a student has not been immunized, he/she should schedule an appointment with a physician of his/her choice. 

REPORTING RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT

Rape/sexual assault is a criminal act and may be prosecuted as such in any court of law.  Although an individual cannot be forced to report an incident, unless such incidents are reported to the proper university and/or law enforcement authorities, the assailant cannot be apprehended and may repeat the offense.  Individuals who have experienced a rape or a sexual assault should take the following steps to report the incident:

1. If the incident occurred on campus, notify the Office of Safety and Security, GS 6, 301- 891-4019, and security will arrange for EMS transportation assistance if necessary.  A student may also contact a residence hall dean for assistance.  After immediate needs have been addressed, notify the University Title IX Coordinator or the Vice President of the Center for Student Life or any other university employee so that the responsibility of the University to the victim and to the assailant may be carried out. 
2. Off campus - report to the nearest hospital emergency room.
3. In obtaining medical care, the time factor is critical if proof of rape is to be established.  Do not shower, change clothes, or alter the scene of the incident.
4. Notify the proper law enforcement authority immediately.  For more details on any type of sexual assault or misconduct, see the University’s Title IX policy, which can be accessed on the University’s home page (https://www.wau.edu/title-ix-your-rights/).

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The Office of Safety and Security is located in the General Services building, GS 6, 301- 891-4019.  Security officers can be called in case of emergency at any time at 301-891-4911.  Security officers are on campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Your WAU ID is obtained at the Office of Safety and Security.  The Office of Safety and Security, also operates a lost-and-found service; distributes free pamphlets about campus parking, security and safety; and provides security escort services on campus.

Communicable Disease Policy

Washington Adventist University wishes to protect and promote the health and safety of its students and employees with respect to communicable diseases.  The University reserves the right to take appropriate measures to protect the University community, in the event that the behavior of a person with a communicable disease poses a threat to the health and safety of himself/herself or others.  For more information, contact the Center for Student Life at (301) 891-4525.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

Washington Adventist University is committed to providing a drug-free environment to help students attain the highest level of mental, physical, moral, and spiritual health. This will allow students to be truly free and in control of their lives.  Because of this commitment, WAU is an alcohol-, drug-, and tobacco-free campus.  Each citizen of the University community is expected to remain drug-free, abstaining from the use of alcoholic beverages and/or containers, tobacco products, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia.  This includes, but not limited to, alcoholic beverages and/or containers, tobacco products, vaping, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia.  The manufacture, possession, distribution, or use of illegal drugs, and the use of alcohol or tobacco is strictly prohibited.  This policy has been established to educate, to provide a means for counseling and rehabilitation, and to outline a discipline process.  If you have a substance abuse problem, please notify the Center for Student Life for an appropriate referral or a residence hall dean for help.

Washington Adventist University reserves the right to investigate students where reasonable suspicion exists of drug and/or alcohol involvement. 

• This includes the right to search an office, locker, on-campus vehicle, residence hall room, cases, and bags, and the right to require an appropriate drug test and confirmation by retest. 
• If a search is to be made, it must be authorized by residence hall dean, Director of the Office of Safety and Security, Vice President of the Center for Student Life, or President of the University.
• Initial identification of a problem may be made by a supervisor, faculty member, colleague, concerned students and/or parents and other or self-referral. 
• Students suspected of drug and/or alcohol use must agree to drug and/or alcohol testing.

VIOLATION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

Because substance abuse seriously jeopardizes the attainment of life goals, a person who is found to be involved in substance abuse or to be using illegal drugs will be subject to the following procedures:

1. Persons found supplying illegal and/or prohibited substances will be subject to immediate dismissal from WAU and notification of government authorities.
2. Persons found in possession of, using, or under the influence of an illegal substance will be referred to a drug-abuse counselor, and immediate disciplinary action will be taken.

If a student has a substance abuse problem, please notify the Vice President of the Center for Student Life, ext. 4109, University Chaplain, ext. 4112, or a residence hall dean, ext.  4177, 4046, 4178, or 4045.  

If a student is convicted of drug distribution or possession, eligibility for the Title IV student financial aid is subject to suspension or termination. This policy is more fully set forth in Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All persons involved in any aspect of this substance abuse program will maintain confidentiality, except in those instances where governmental authorities or the Conduct and Guidance Committee must be notified.  Counselors will respect the individual’s right to privacy at all times.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION

Washington Adventist University provides an ongoing program of education for the prevention of substance abuse.  This will be a multifaceted program involving the use of audiovisuals, literature, lectures, and other programs. 

OFF-CAMPUS BEHAVIOR

It is important to the life of our community that students maintain the standards of WAU both on and off campus.  WAU-sponsored groups traveling off campus are expected to represent the University appropriately and the standards it upholds.  Students should always be mindful that they are examples of what WAU represents and will be subject to disciplinary actions for behavior not in keeping with the mission, vision, and policies of WAU, regardless of whether they are on or off campus.