Student Handbook:
Behavioral Policies
General
Statement
We care about your character and behavior. The following standards for OCC
students will aid in your learning, enhance your witness, and make our environment
a more pleasant experience. It is important to remember the primary goal of
the college - to train men and women for Christian service. We believe these
guidelines are consistent with that goal. Christian leaders must set the most
positive example and submit to a higher standard.
Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol
The purchase, possession, or use of alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco is prohibited
on and off campus. Inappropriate use of over-the-counter and prescription
drugs, propellants, or other inhaled substances is also prohibited.
Entertainment
Please exercise careful judgment in the choice of reading material (no obscene
literature is permitted), places of entertainment, movies, television viewing
and music. Protect your heart and your Christian example. Students are not
permitted to sponsor dances on or off campus or to attend dance clubs, casinos,
bars or parties where alcohol is served.
OCC utilizes the Christian on-line movie review service "Preview.gospelcom.net".
The guidelines for on campus movie viewing are as follows:
- The movies must be rated "G" or "PG"
- The movies may be rated no lower than minus one (-1) on "Preview's"
morality/entertainment scale.
- Exceptions to the above-mentioned ratings must be pre-approved by the
SDO.
Camping or Other Overnight Situations
Camping, spending the night with others at someone's residence, or other
situations where you are out of the residence hall overnight are not permitted
for individuals or groups of opposite gender. If an overnight circumstance
involves a mixed gender situation, a sponsor or sponsors approved by the SDO
must oversee the activity, and that/those sponsor(s) must be present for the
duration of the event. Simply "hanging out" overnight with someone
of the opposite sex is strictly prohibited.
Dress
Expectations
All OCC students, including off-campus and married students are to follow
these guidelines. "Modesty" and "exemplary" are our
standards for dress. See
"Class Decorum" for appropriate classroom and Chapel service
attire.
- Athletic attire is appropriate in Chapel services and class only
if it is neat, clean, and tasteful. Examples of acceptable athletic attire
are wind pants, wind suits, nylon warm-ups, etc. Examples of unacceptable
attire in Chapel/class are cotton fleece sweat pants, sleep pants and items
that are ragged, dirty, ripped, ill fitting, etc.
- Inappropriate public attire includes midriffs, spaghetti straps,
low necklines, gang-style clothing, tight fitting clothes, alcohol or tobacco
advertisements and short shorts. It is also inappropriate for males to be
without shirts on campus (i.e., "shirts & skins" competitions).
This list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Questions about appropriate
attire may be directed to your RDs.
- Tank tops are appropriate only in the residence halls or the MPB
unless worn underneath another shirt. Women's tops and dresses need
to be a minimum of 2" in width over the shoulder.
- Shorts (modest, approx. mid-thigh) are appropriate on campus except
in the classroom or for services in the Chapel or for special services in
the MPB.
- Low rise jeans may only be worn when not exposing the midriff
or lower back. Jeans with holes are inappropriate.
- Modest Capri pants are acceptable.
- Dress/skirt length should be no shorter than 2 inches above the
knee.
- Caps are acceptable attire although students are asked to remove
them in chapel services.
- Dorm attire may be casual and informal but please use Christ-like
discretion. Pajamas, sleep pants, bath robes and house slippers are appropriate
only in the residence halls.
- Traveling groups/school activities may require additional standards
as set forth by sponsors.
- Spouses are asked to follow dress expectations while on campus.
Grooming and Personal Appearance
- Hair should be neat and clean. Faddish or extreme styles (tails,
sculptured hair, spikes, unnatural colors, dreadlocks, and multi-colored
hair) are not allowed. Men: Hair must be no longer than the top of a normal
shirt collar in the back, off the eyebrows in the front, and no longer than
the bottom of the ear on the sides. No ponytails on men.
- Body piercing is not permitted except for earrings on ladies.
Nose rings, eyebrow rings, tongue piercing, navel piercing, etc., are not
permitted. Earrings are explicitly unacceptable on men, pierced or otherwise.
The use of plugs and spacers are also prohibited.
- Facial hair on men should be neat and trim.
In summation, pursue modesty and moderation. Make it your aim to avoid being
preoccupied with calling undue attention to yourself through attire, grooming,
or personal appearance. The Student Deans will provide appropriate counsel
for specific situations when needed.
Relationship/Dating
Conduct
Men and women are expected to maintain mature, responsible, caring and wholesome
relationships. The conduct of couples on and off campus is to be a credit
to the Lord and considerate of others. Men and women are not to be alone in
apartments or houses with members of the opposite sex. Please demonstrate
Godly self-control and respect for others as you express your care for one
another. Overt public displays of affection are inappropriate.
Disciplinary Procedures
Any student not meeting the standards of conduct set forth by OCC will be
subject to disciplinary action. The purpose of the college and the concerns
of the college family encourage individuals to conduct themselves with Christ-like
behavior. When an individual decides his/her interests are greater than the
good of the community, disciplinary situations may arise. When discipline
is required, every effort will be made to respond in a redemptive way to all
concerned. Our desire is to help instill Christ-like conduct and a Christ-like
attitude.
Inappropriate and unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited
to:
- Conduct reflecting blatant disregard for the standards, spirit and purpose
of Ozark Christian College
- Disrespectful conduct toward others
- Rebelliousness and/or disregard of college policies
- Abusive or threatening language or conduct toward college personnel,
students, or others
- Lying, cheating, plagiarism or theft
- Misdemeanor or felony offenses
- Purchase, possession, or use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
- Inappropriate use of over-the-counter and prescription drugs, propellants,
or other inhaled substances
- Possession of fireworks, firearms or other weapons on campus
- Inappropriate use of a computer, the OCC Network and Internet
- Possession or use of pornography
- Sexually inappropriate affection, promiscuity or immorality including
homosexual activity
- Unauthorized use of OCC equipment, materials, books, etc.
- Destruction of property or vandalism
When disciplinary situations arise, a student may be subject to any of the
following disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by the Student
Dean(s):
- A meeting with one or both of the Student Deans to determine the specific
problem. The situation may be resolved through counsel and/or appropriate
disciplinary action. A student may be given the opportunity to enter into
a Disciplinary Contract. This agreement identifies the
unacceptable behavior, prescribes obligations on the part of the student,
and includes specific consequences if the agreement is not kept.
- A student may be placed on Disciplinary Probation which
will involve a period of examination and evaluation to determine a student's
status; and whether the student will be permitted to continue as a student.
The length of a Disciplinary Probation may vary and will require the student
to forfeit any awards received through the Trustee's Scholarship,
the Dean's Scholarship, or the President's Scholarship. The
student will not be able to represent the college in extracurricular activities
such as athletics, performing arts, or traveling groups.
- If the situation requires, the student may be placed on Disciplinary
Suspension and will no longer be able to continue as a student.
When suspension is imposed, an appeal for reinstatement may be made, in
writing, to the President's Office. It would be important that any
appeal be made within two business days in view of attendance policies.
A dismissed student will receive a "WP" (withdrew passing) or
an "F" on his/her transcript, reflecting their academic standing
at the time of suspension. A student may be granted appropriate credit for
courses that were successfully completed prior to the suspension.
- A Conference Call to parents or legal guardians may be enlisted
to help resolve difficulties regarding the problem and possible solutions.
- A meeting with the Discipline Committee. This committee
is composed of a group of faculty members, administrators and a student
representative. The committee is convened when deemed appropriate by the
Student Dean(s). The following procedures will apply when the Discipline
Committee convenes.
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- A written statement specifying the standard of conduct violated
will be made available to the student.
- The student may review in advance the information to be submitted
to the discipline committee for the meeting. The Student Dean(s) should
be contacted for such information.
- The student has the right to hear and respond to all information
presented at the meeting; however, the student may not be accompanied
by a parent, another student, or any other person unless the committee
or the Dean of Students is notified, in writing, in advance of the
meeting.
- Determination of the facts related to the situation will be based
solely on the information presented at the meeting.
- The Discipline Committee shall have the authority to impose any
appropriate disciplinary measure.
- Typically, the Discipline Committee will excuse the student from
the meeting and arrive at a decision in the same meeting. The student
will return to the meeting and be informed of the decision. This will
be followed with written notification as well. In the event the committee
does not communicate a decision directly to the student at the meeting,
Student Dean(s) will notify the student of the final decision in person,
if possible, and in writing.
- Appeal of any final decision of the Discipline Committee may be
made in writing to the President's Office within two business
days of the notification of the decision.
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Special Circumstances
Occasionally a student is unable to function academically and/or socially
in the college environment. Examples of such situations would include:
- Mental health issues
- Extreme learning disability
- Inability to conform to OCC attendance policy or other OCC policy
- Extreme anti-social behavior
- Personal problems or behaviors, which threaten the emotional, spiritual
or physical well being of the student or others.
After evaluation by the Student Dean(s) or any other professionals as deemed
necessary, if a student is found to be unable to function in the college environment,
the Student Dean(s) will assist in the withdrawal process. Typically, parents
or guardians will be contacted for assistance. OCC is primarily an institution
of higher education and is not staffed to give ongoing therapeutic treatment
for certain types of needs listed above.
OCC and You
There are various reasons behind the policies and standards of OCC. These would
include:
- Clear and obvious principles of Christian living that are Christ-like,
God honoring, and effective in bearing witness to others.
- Sensitivity to others in community life. Guidelines that bring order
and harmony to our college environment exist for the good of the community
and the purpose of our existence.
- Sensitivity to our supporting constituency. As a privately funded Christian
college, a significant portion of the operation of the college is underwritten
by individuals and churches that believe in OCC and its purpose of training
men and women for Christian service.
- Policies mandated by law.
- Requirements mandated by safety.
The policies of OCC are not necessarily to be equated with "what it
means to be a Christian." Our aim is to have policies that are practical,
safe and God honoring. These policies are written with the purpose of the
college and the good of the college community in mind. Students are expected
to adhere to the established school standards and policies. The college reserves
the right to change or modify existing policies or add new guidelines as needed.
If you have any questions regarding the information in this publication,
please contact the Student Development Office at OCC (417.626.1234, ext. 2013).
We will be glad to help you or direct you to the appropriate parties.
