GUIDEINES FOR STUDENT LIFE 1
Contents 1. Student Code of Conduct 2. Requirements to Graduate 3. Attendance 4. Absence 5. Dating 6. Disciplinary Policy 7. Dismissal of Students 8. Conferences 9. Classroom Etiquette 10. Campus Care and LCE 11. Leadership Placement 12. Sunday Services 13. Communication 14. Room Bookings 15. Visitors 16. Student Awards 2
Student Code of Conduct Students are expected to live and act in accordance with established Christian values and behaviour patterns. In addition, the rules of LIFE Church College as stated in this set of guidelines must be adhered to for the mutual benefit of all. One of LIFE Church College s most important goals is to facilitate the growth and development of Christian character in line with biblical principles. It is expected that LIFE Church students live in a manner that brings glory to Christ in their behaviour and attitudes, both in and outside of college settings. Therefore each student is expected to: Abstain from any behaviour that is considered detrimental to Christian character and witness including; drunkenness, stealing, slanderous or profane language, dishonesty, occult practices, relational inappropriateness and sexual immorality. Avoid attitudes and behaviour that disrupts the unity and health of the LIFE Church College student body. Show respect and consideration for other members of the student body and their property. Show respect for staff and faculty and co-operate with the aims and endeavours of LIFE Church College and church. Attend all prescribed classes and activities required by the LIFE Church college programme unless formally excused. Refrain from dishonest academic practices as outlined in the Academic Misconduct policy below. Follow the other guidelines outlined in this document LIFE Church College aims to provide the framework and support needed to bring personal growth. If, however, students do find that they are genuinely struggling with such issues, we advise they speak LIFE Church College staff and allow them to bring guidance, counsel and correction to the situation. Any behaviour that contravenes the Student Code of Conduct or compromises the welfare of other students will result in disciplinary action. 3
Requirements to Graduate LIFE Church College celebrates graduation at the end of June. Graduation is not based solely on attaining an academic standard / pass mark though all written work will be graded to establish that the task has been completed satisfactorily. To be eligible to graduate a student must: Adhere to the Student Code of Conduct Complete and pass all assignments at 40% or above To attend no less than 90% of programmed classes Pay all of their tuition fees in full Successfully complete their weekly 5 hour placement requirement Successfully complete their involvement in Sunday Services Attendance We aim for excellence in all we do and expect this ethic to be reflected in the attendance of LIFE Church College at all timetabled classes, conferences and LIFE Church College activities. Therefore: Students must be disciplined in their time keeping, attending all lectures on time and any other appointments with LIFE Church College staff. Allowances are made for exceptional circumstances such as sickness or trauma. Assignments must be submitted on time. An overall attendance of less than 90% will result in students not being graduated. Attendance will be reviewed on a regular basis and should your attendance drop below 90% at any point during the year this will be flagged individually with you. A daily registration is taken electronically and all students must be registered (scanned in) before 9.30am. Classes commence at 9.30am prompt and this includes days on which the student body are serving together. 4
Absence Please arrange dental, hospital, work or other appointments outside of the scheduled class times. If an absence from class or a given activity becomes absolutely essential, it should be agreed with the LIFE Church College team in advance by filling out an online absence form through the student portal. Absences will not be granted for holidays or Christian conference events booked after the commencement of the course that fall during term time. Absence through illness should be logged online to the LIFE Church College team through the student portal. Apologies for lateness should be voiced to one of the LIFE Church College team. Failure to do so will count as an absence, which could ultimately affect your ability to graduate. Any student who is consistently late, misses classes, and who fails to take the appropriate steps to bring their attendance into line with LIFE Church College expectations, will be dealt with in accordance with the Disciplinary Policy outlined later in this document. If this behaviour still continues it could lead to dismissal from the course. Dating Students should prioritise their studies during their time with us; it is time you have dedicated to God for your personal development. We therefore recommend that you don t pursue a potentially distracting relationship during the course of the academic year. To this end, LIFE Church College students are not permitted to start dating a fellow student or other individual. If you sense a relationship developing, please talk to us about it so we can be aware and help you keep your focus right. Secretive behaviour will not be tolerated. However if you are already dating when you come on the course we will not ask you to end the relationship, this policy applies to those who start the course not in a relationship. Non-adherence to these guidelines will be dealt with using the disciplinary policy. 5
Disciplinary Policy Students in breach of the Student Code of Conduct or otherwise acting inappropriately will be dealt with according to Matthew 18:15-17 as far as possible. The disciplinary policy is designed to deal with cases where a student consistently fails to abide by the behavioural standards outlined in the Code of Conduct. The stages of the Disciplinary Policy are as follows: STAGE 1: Verbal warning (issued by a member of the Pastoral or Academy team) noted on the students record for 30 days. STAGE 2: First Written Warning added to the students record STAGE 3: Second Written Warning with time specific deadlines STAGE 4: Dismissal from the course see dismissal process Depending on the severity of the situation, the Principal reserves the right to bypass stage 1, 2 and 3 and immediately dismiss any student whose behaviour is deemed by the LIFE Church College team to have brought the reputation of the College into disrepute. 6
Dismissal of Students Termination of the student s course of study will occur, unless otherwise determined by the LIFE Church College team, in line with the Attendance, Disciplinary and Tuition Fee Policies. Whist there may be other individual circumstances that arise where the LIFE Church College team feel a dismissal is an appropriate course of action to take; there are three main circumstances in which a student could be dismissed from the course: If the student has an attendance below 90% that does not improve following verbal and written warnings, dismissal from the course will be the next step. If the students behaviour contravenes the code of conduct to such as extent that it reaches stage 4 of the disciplinary procedure they will be dismissed from the course. If the student has tuition fee payments in arrears by 3 months (extenuating circumstances will be taken into account) and they are unable or refuse to pay outstanding fees, they will be dismissed from the course and fail to graduate. All these situations will occur following regular correspondence and discussion between the student and LIFE Church College faculty. In such cases reasons for the pending dismissal will be outlined clearly alongside actions required to redress the situation. 7
Conferences As part of the curriculum, students are expected to participate in our conferences held throughout the year. The conferences that fall in the College year are: Worship Training Day Xcel Men s Conference Rocknations Leaders Training day Young Adults Movement Cherish Women s Conference Students will not have to pay a delegate fee for the conference. We expect students to be available for the duration of these events and you will need to notify employers of your unavailability during conferences. Classroom Etiquette The classrooms and lecture theatre should be kept clean and tidy at all times. This is the joint responsibility of all students. Lecturers and tutors should be treated with respect. They are investing their time and experience to shape students in the time they have with the class. Always ensure that: Fresh drinking water is available A white board / flip chart is available to them and is clean Required AV equipment is ready and working A particular student may be asked to ensure this happens but it should be regarded as a shared responsibility to serve those who serve you. Be sensitive to each tutor. Some will need space to get their head straight for the next session; others will happily chat their way through each break. Students should ask questions when given an opportunity to do so. Only interrupt lecturers and tutors when they give you permission to do so most will not mind this. There will be small breaks between classes. Students are asked not to prolong the break or enter into any activity that may delay recommencement of classes. Students should NOT leave the premises during these breaks. 8
Laptops are permitted for taking notes on during classes but should you use a laptop we request you sit at the front of class. However, use of the internet for social networking via a laptop or phone are not allowed. Mobile phones should not be used during classroom sessions. No student is permitted to use an office phone for personal calls. Leadership Placement Gaining practical hands-on experience is a vital part of the College course. Placements get students involved in practical ministry in the life of the church. Your placement will be conducted under the supervision of a member of staff. If you are a full-time student you will be expected to serve for a minimum of 5 hours per week in this ministry. Time and involvement will be by agreement with the staff member you are placed with and should be worked around your employment (if applicable) and any other reasonable commitments. Sunday Services Sundays are treated as an official College Day and therefore Mondays are given as a rest day. All students must be on site for Sundays and you will be expected to serve on a team every Sunday. Communication A lot of communication between staff and students will be done via email. Please make sure you check your inbox on a daily basis so you can keep up to speed with any information you need to be aware of. Each student has a personal login to the Student Portal. Messages, mail, handouts etc. will normally be distributed via these. Please make a point of checking the Student Portal on a daily basis. If you change your address or contact details during term time, you must notify the College office by completing a Change of Contact Details form on the Student Portal. 9
Room Bookings Rooms on campus are available to be used for appropriate activities. Rooms can be booked through the main reception desk. Visitors Students wanting friends or relatives to attend a class must first obtain permission from the College office before inviting them to attend a lecture. Once permission is obtained, students are to introduce their guests to lecturers. Student Awards Prizes at the end of a year are awarded by the College faculty as follows: First Year Study Application Award This award is given to the student who has achieved the highest average grades. They have shown the great diligence in studying God s word and communicating how it has developed their leadership and grown their life. First Year Pastoral and Community Elective Award This award is given to the first year student who has most diligently studied and applied themselves to the principles taught on the pastoral and community elective. They will have developed an understanding of pastoral care and shown themselves to be a genuine people helper with a heart for others. First Year Worship Elective Award This award is given to the first year student who has most diligently studied and applied themselves to the principles taught on the worship elective. They have developed and excelled creatively through the application of their leadership within worship ministry. First Year Youth Ministry Elective Award This award is given to the first year student who has most diligently studied and applied themselves to the principles taught on the youth ministry elective. They have developed and demonstrated the key qualities of a youth leader and excelled in pastoring young people through schools work, in church life and the wider youth ministry. First Year Student of the Year Award This award is given to honor the first year student who has been a role model to their peers in class, shown exemplary character, served with excellence, studied diligently and been a first class example of Godly leadership. 10
Second Year Student of the Year Award This award is given to honor the second year student who has been a role model to their peers in class, shown exemplary character, served with excellence, studied diligently and been a first class example of Godly leadership. 11