Community Handbook
Behavioral Expectations
The Northwest community chooses, freely and willingly, to impose upon itself rules for behavior which serve both the long range interests of the institution and the immediate good of its individual members. While we do not view these expectations as an index to maturity in Christ, we do regard violations as a serious breach of integrity within the community because each member has voluntarily chosen to associate with it and to accept its standards.
The University establishes the following specific expectations for the trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students of the Northwest community:
- The University will not condone practices that Scripture forbids. Such activities including occult practices, sexual relations outside of marriage, homosexual practice, drunkenness, theft, profanity, and dishonesty.
- Northwest also recognizes that Scripture condemns “sins of the spirit” such as covetousness, jealousy, pride, and lust. Because they lie at the heart of the relationship between the individual and God they are of central concern to the Northwest community.
- The University upholds integrity as a core value of the community. Members are expected to take responsibility for their own violations of all behavioral guidelines and demonstrate commitment to the value of integrity in word and deed.
- The University is committed to providing a learning and work environment free of harassment of all types.
- The University upholds the laws of the local community, the nation, and the state of Washington.
- The University expects our members who choose to marry to abide by the commitment to lifelong heterosexual marriage, and, whether single or married, to strive to maintain healthy family relationships.
- The University recognizes that the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages presents a danger to personal health. It condemns their abuse, and raises serious questions about the use of tobacco and alcohol at all. Under no circumstances shall any member of the community use or possess these products at any time during their involvement with Northwest University.
- Northwest will establish other rules and regulations necessary for orderly community life and will list them in appropriate handbooks. You will find information which further explains the specifics of the Behavioral Expectations in the following alphabetic material and/or in the Policies and Procedures section of the Community Handbook.
- Each year, all students are expected to verify that they have read, understood, and agreed to abide by these expectations.
Appearance/Dress
Students are expected to exercise moderation regarding the wearing of body jewelry and body art. Individual departments may have specific standards that apply to student appearance while completing practicums and internships. Body jewelry and body art may have an adverse affect on a student’s access to jobs and/or ministry opportunities. Any student representing the University in any manner is required to meet the standards of no facial jewelry and/or body art on men and no facial jewelry and/or body art on women with the only exception of small petite earrings. Northwest University retains the right to maintain standards of appearance for all students.
Answers to possible questions:
- Exposed stomachs, swimsuits, sports bras, etc., are not allowed on the Northwest University campus.
- All head coverings of men and women are not allowed in the Chapel.
- Men must wear shirts at all times including sporting activities.
- The Campus Pastor will communicate the Chapel dress code for all participants.
A glossary . . .
- Moderation avoids trends that are considered extreme by the University culture.
- Modesty avoids bringing undue attention to the body including the length and fit of clothes, and drawing attention to various anatomical features.
- Neatness includes grooming, cleanliness, and wearing shoes in public places.
- Good Taste avoids clothes with slogans, logos, and pictures that are not in keeping with Christian values.
Computer/Internet
The University encourages the use of computers and the Internet for educational purposes. The use of computers and the Internet for inappropriate material (e.g., pornography) is not permitted. The University holds the owner of the computer equipment responsible for how the equipment is used. The owner of computer equipment used to view inappropriate material may lose the privileges of having a computer in his/her room and/or Internet access. Northwest University computers used to view inappropriate material may be removed from the residence halls or other locations on campus. The University has the ability to monitor the entire University community to assure Internet users access appropriate Internet addresses. Modem use on campus is prohibited.
Entertainment and Social Dancing
Members of the University community are expected to exercise good judgment by choosing entertainment (e.g. television, video, movies, Internet, computer, music, conversation, etc.) that contributes to the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development of everyone. It is expected that activities and questionable entertainment that may diminish moral sensitivity be avoided and rejected.
Because a significant number of evangelical Christians view social dancing as a questionable activity, dancing is not permitted. This standard is maintained in the spirit of Romans 14:19-23 and 1 Corinthians 10:31-33. Some forms of choreographed movements in academic or collegiate activities, under the advisement and supervision of University personnel, however, may be acceptable.
Harassment and Assault
The University is committed to maintaining an environment in which all individuals treat each other with dignity and respect and which is free from all forms of intimidation, exploitation and any type of harassment, including, but not limited to that based upon gender, religion, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, color, or race. It is the policy of the University to prohibit any harassment of any person by any of its employees or students. This includes hazing, rights of initiation, and harassing acts of prank and “horseplay”. Any violation of this policy must be immediately reported to one of the Vice Presidents (see Procedures, below) for corrective action and may result in discipline, up to and including immediate termination/withdrawal. The University is committed to providing substantive training for employees in the prevention of harassment.
Definition of Racial Harassment
Racial harassment is any flagrant and/or repetitious verbal or physical behavior that stigmatizes or victimizes an individual or group on the basis of race, ethnicity, or ancestry. Racial harassment includes, but is not limited to, objectionable epithets, demeaning depictions or treatment, intimidating language or behavior, and threatened or actual abuse. Protection against racial harassment is provided in both state and federal law.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
It is illegal and against the University’s policy for any employee or student, male or female, to engage in actions which sexually harass another person by:- making unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature a condition of the individual’s continued employment or student status;
- making submission to, or rejection of, such conduct the basis for employment or student status decisions affecting the employee/student;
- stating or implying that a particular individual’s advances in employment or student status have resulted from the granting of sexual favors or the establishment or continuance of a sexual relationship;
- stating or implying that a particular person’s deficiencies in performance are attributable in whole or in part to the gender of that person;
- commenting on particular characteristics associated with a particular sex; or
- engaging in conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or study, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or study environment by such conduct or comments.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome sexual conduct can include a wide range of verbal, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment does not mean occasional compliments which are socially acceptable. Without limiting the behavior that might violate this policy, the following are examples of inappropriate conduct:
- unwanted sexual advances or propositions;
- offering employment or student benefits in exchange for sexual favors;
- making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances;
- conduct such as leering, making sexual gestures, displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons or posters;
- verbal conduct such as making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, jokes, and inappropriate comments or questions about one’s own or another’s sexual behaviors and preferences;
- verbal abuse of a sexual nature, graphic verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, suggestive or obscene letters, notes or invitations; and
- physical conduct such as touching, assaulting, impeding or blocking movements.
Other Harassing Acts
The University has and enforces a strict, no-tolerance policy regarding hazing and harassing comments and behaviors with respect to gender, age, religion, or disability.
Pornography
The possession or viewing of pornographic materials in any form, including via the Internet, is strictly prohibited. Northwest University does filter and monitor all inappropriate internet activity on campus.
Public Displays of Affection
As members of the University community and participants in a Christ-centered environment, everyone is expected to exercise moderation regarding public displays of affection.
