Disciplinary Policy and Procedures

Disciplinary Policy and Procedures

• Educational follow-up meetings
  • A student may be expected to meet with a Student Life staff member for a specified number of times for the purpose of accountability, discussion regarding the Covenant for Life Together, and reflection on learning gained through completing other disciplinary actions.
• Mentoring
  • A student may be expected to identify a mature, adult mentor on campus and meet with that individual for a specified number of times for the purpose of personal and spiritual growth, goal setting, accountability, etc.
• Educational activities
  • A student may be expected to complete activities such as participate in an online educational program, conduct research relevant to the disciplinary situation, write a reflection paper, attend an educational program on campus, meet with professional staff in an office providing services such as career development, counseling, disability resources, etc.
• Fines
  • A student may be subject to fines for rule violations and certain behaviors, particularly those causing harm to property, expense to the University, or disruption to the processes of the University.
• Community Service
  • A student may be expected to perform community service hours on or off campus as part of the disciplinary outcome.
• Written Warning
  • A student may receive a written notice, by letter or email, stating the nature of the violation and stating that further violations may lead to additional disciplinary steps.
• Behavioral Agreement
  • The student and the Office of Student Life enter into an agreement, often signed by both parties, stating the nature of the student’s violation and the steps that the student and/or the Office of Student Life will take as a result of the student’s behavior.
• Behavioral Probation
  • The student is permitted to remain on campus and continue in classes and academic activities with particular conditions specified. These conditions are often stated in the form of a Probation Letter. Special housing approvals, participation in varsity sports, and other co-curricular privileges may be affected. One or more additional disciplinary activity (educational meeting, mentoring, community service, etc.) may be included in the Probation Letter. Students will be asked to notify their parents and/or other adults important in their lives. A temporary record is kept in the Office of Student Life.
• Removal from Campus Housing
  • A student is not permitted to continue living in campus housing and is required to receive clearance from a dean in order to be eligible for future semesters in campus housing. A student is permitted to continue in classes and academic activities.
• Withdrawal
  • The student is permitted to withdraw without privilege of returning until a time specified by the deans. A temporary record is kept in the Office of Student Life.
• Dismissal
  • The student is involuntarily withdrawn from Bethel for a specified length of time, ranging from the remainder of a current semester through the end of the following semester. The student may be permitted to reapply to Bethel after a specified period of time and after completing any requirements given at the time of dismissal.
• Expulsion
  • The student is permanently separated from the University. A permanent record of expulsion is noted on the student’s academic transcript.
• Additional Disciplinary Responses
  • In addition to the responses delineated above, staff members in the Office of Student Life may use other disciplinary actions when deemed necessary and appropriate. These may include, but are not limited to, loss of privileges, parent notification, notification of faculty or coaches (or other staff members when appropriate), a chemical dependency assessment, restitution of personal or institutional damages, reconciliation to individuals or offended groups, and follow-up sessions with a student life staff person, faculty member, or other individual agreed upon by the student and the Office of Student Life.