STUDENTS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
In our community, this Student Handbook provides an overview of social, physical, and spiritual life at WAU. You are encouraged to use the Student Handbook to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as members of the WAU community:
As a WAU Student, you have the right to an environment that is conducive to learning. The right to an educational environment conducive to learning includes additional rights described throughout this Student Handbook.
As a WAU Student, you have the right to expect the University to be a place where spiritual growth can be nurtured. WAU is the center of a community of faith and learning. In this supportive environment, each student has the opportunity to develop and experience personal growth, and a life of devotion and service. We provide programs that contribute to spiritual growth. Attending religion classes is a part of the academic curriculum, and participating in selected worship experiences is required (Convocation, residence hall worship, Week In Spiritual Emphasis, etc.).
As a WAU Student, you have the right to access personal academic records and files, and the right to the privacy of those records and files. According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), all confidential student records, files, and data maintained by a university must be available for inspection by the student. Students may challenge records, and may place limitations on access by others. Requests to review confidential files are made to the administrator responsible for keeping such records. For further information on your rights under FERPA, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Additionally, WAU has a duty and an obligation to keep all other student records confidential, some of which will be protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), such as vaccination and insurance records, which are under the custodianship of the Center for Student Life.
As a WAU Student, you have the right to admission to all student organizations, educational programs, and activities. All organizations, programs, and activities of the University are open to all WAU students without respect to race, ethnicity, age, gender, or physical ability. Please note the exception of attendance restriction when an individual is on probation as part of a disciplinary action.
As a WAU Student, you have the right to appropriate, affirming, and respectful behavior in your interactions with other members of the University community. High standards of dress and behavior are upheld on the WAU campus. Disrespectful actions, regardless of the severity, are not acceptable. These actions include those based on differences in race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ability. You are expected not to engage in acts of intimidation and dishonesty, conduct that is immoral, disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene as expressed in language, action, or personal appearance.
As a WAU Student, you have the right to compete on a fair and equal basis for academic recognition. This right precludes such behaviors as cheating, plagiarism, and other acts of academic dishonesty. (see the Academic Catalog).
As a WAU Student, you have the right to an environment that promotes wellness and safety. You have a right to an environment that is free of: physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional harassment/abuse; threatening and dangerous behaviors or any activity that is in violation of “Title IX”; A campus free of: breaking and entering; theft; obstructing or disrupting the study, work, social, or religious life of others; and possession of firearms, explosives, and other weapons. The right to wellness and safety demands a drug-, alcohol-, and tobacco-free environment.
Violation of any of the above-stated rights is grounds for immediate disciplinary action. University life demands a high level of alertness and mental fitness. You are encouraged to make time in your schedule for adequate rest and exercise. Campus Dining Services provides nutritionally balanced, wholesome vegetarian cuisine.
As a WAU Student, you have the right to create, join, and lead organizations and clubs that are consistent with the University’s philosophy and mission. WAU promotes student participation and leadership opportunities through a variety of clubs and organizations. Students may contact the Center for Student Life (ext. 4525) for information about how to become involved with or to begin a club or campus ministry.
As a WAU Student, you have the right to acceptable modes of public expression, respectful disagreement, and appeal. The responsibilities that accompany this right to expression include appropriate levels of personal and journalistic restraint based on the standards and values upheld by the WAU community (Columbia Journal, Montage, Golden Memories, and the Line-up). The University delegates editorial responsibilities to the editors, under the guidance of faculty and staff advisors, and the Board of Publications.
Officers of any officially organized WAU student organization, at the discretion of the chairperson, may appear before University committees to present petitions or points of view. Joint meetings between University committees and student committees may be held at agreed-upon times. Student Association officers may present proposals through the Student Senate and Vice President of the Center for Student Life to the President’s Cabinet. It is the University policy to engage student officers and committees in consultation or study of pertinent University policies or issues. These types of meetings may be initiated by University officers or committees, or by the student officers or committees.
A student, or group of students, who wishes to express views to achieve changes, shall discuss the matter directly with the vice president in whose area of responsibility the matter falls. Petitions for action or redress of grievance should be presented directly to a vice president. Public rallies, demonstrations, discussions, and interviews held on the campus require approval of the President’s office, at least two weeks prior to the occasion. The President shall have the authority to determine the time and location of such meetings, so as not to disrupt the regular school program, and to approve or appoint chairpersons for such meetings. Participants in these meetings, other than faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students, must be approved by the President or his/her designated representative, before the invitation to participate is given. Interchange of views between students and faculty person to person, in groups or meetings, and by written documents presented personally is encouraged. Conduct at these discussions must be in accordance with the Christian spirit espoused by WAU. It is the tradition of students and faculty on this campus to speak freely and to listen courteously to the opinions of others.
Freedom of expression does not include any right to interfere with regular activities of the University or to distract, hinder, or intimidate others in accomplishing the educational, scholarly, and spiritual purposes of the University.
As a WAU Student, you have the right to fair and equitable treatment in academic matters. If you feel that your academic rights have been violated, you should speak personally with the professor. If the disagreement is not resolved, you may appeal to the department chairperson, the Dean of your respective school, the Provost, and finally the Academic Appeals Committee (please see the Academic Catalog for further clarification).
As a WAU student, you have the right to expect the University to follow appropriate discipline procedures as described in this Student Handbook. Within the guidelines of WAU policies, a committee of faculty, staff, and students administers the discipline of students who violate rights and responsibilities. You have the right to meet with the committee when your case is discussed, to answer questions, and clarify your viewpoint. You have the right to choose a WAU faculty or staff member to serve as an advocate for you at Conduct and Guidance Committee hearings. Every effort is made to provide consistent, open, and fair discipline. You have the right to appeal disciplinary actions, if the University has not followed the process described in the Student Handbook and the Academic Catalog.
COMMUNITY STANDARDS AND POLICIES
Washington Adventist University is committed to creating a community that demonstrates belief in the Word of God. In our community, we believe the Word of God establishes the principles that are to guide personal development and govern behavior. These principles include, but are not limited to, the responsibility of the following:
- Love God (Matthew 23:37; Ephesians 4:17-6:18). This involves a wholehearted commitment to know and obey God’s Word as it applies in both thought and action, and thoughtful stewardship or management of our intellect, abilities, sexuality, relationships, financial resources, and time.
- Love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). This involves an unselfish commitment to understand and help others as we serve in love (Galatians 5:13, 14).
- Love enough to handle the challenging issues according to the Word of God (Matthew 18:15-17; Colossians 3:13).
We all are responsible to know and abide by all community standards, policies, and regulations of Washington Adventist University.
As noted on your student ID card, you must present your ID when requested by faculty or staff. If a student fails to identify himself/herself when requested to do so by a member of the faculty or staff, a member of the security department will be called to escort you off campus immediately. Further action may be taken by the Conduct and Guidance Committee, which may result in suspension.
The rules of any community grow out of a particular tradition. Washington Adventist University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution and, as such, adheres to the tenets and traditions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We hold in high esteem the following characteristics: celebrating and honoring the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday; honesty and integrity; thoughtfulness in social relationships and entertainment; respect of the rights, opinions, and property of others; respect for and obedience to the laws of the city, state, and federal government; and a willingness to do good in every situation. Therefore, you are expected to abide by the following standards:
- Exercise wholesome thought and speech patterns. The use of profanity and coarse joking, particularly that which is degrading to gender, ethnicity, and/or groups, is not acceptable.
- Use discretion in dating practices, public and private. You are encouraged to build balanced, healthy, Christ-centered relationships.
- Avoid awkward situations, and protect your personal relationships, you are expected to refrain from inappropriate or lingering public displays of affection or confrontation.
- Exercise discretion in your selection of reading materials, internet use, profanity, and all forms of social media, and entertainment.
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