Graduate Academic Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Academic Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Educational Environment



Continued Enrollment

The university desires to see students complete their academic goals, whether a degree, a certificate, or a credential. Support is available to students who are experiencing difficulties. (See the Student Services  section.) However students must follow university policies and achieve academic progress in order to remain enrolled in the university. Registration signifies that the student agrees to abide by the rules, regulations and requirements of the university. The university reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who does not comply. This agreement is in keeping with the university's philosophy that students should be aware of the dimensions and constraints of the educational community in which they participate during the years of their enrollment.

The following areas may affect a student's eligibility to continue attending the university.

  1. Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  2. Program Standards.
  3. Registration Processes.
  4. Veterans Affairs Standards.
  5. Academic Integrity.
  6. Standards on Disruption to the Educational Environment.
  7. Standards on Harassment and Sexual Harassment.
  8. Community Standards for Seminary Students.
  9. Illegal and Criminal Offenses.

Failure to Meet Standards

When one or more of the above standards are not met, actions may be taken like warning status, probation, mandatory leave of absence, or termination. Each policy area has a process for administration and appeal. Administrative actions may include, but are not limited to the following.

  1. Warning: Warning status, with or without a remediation plan, can be recommended when a student's academic work, professional development, or behavior falls below the university or program standards but the nature of the difficulty or infraction does not require more serious or more immediate action.
  2. Probation: Probationary status is recommended when a student's academic progress or professional development has been inconsistent with university requirements. A student is given a specific amount of time (usually one term) in which to remediate the cause(s) of probation or will otherwise face dismissal from the program.
  3. Disqualification: A student may be disqualified from registering for university classes or withdrawn from classes. There are two types of disqualification: mandatory leave of absence and termination.
    1. Mandatory Leave of Absence: A student is recommended for mandatory leave of absence in those cases in which the academic work or professional development, in the opinion of the relevant administrative authority, requires serious remediation that necessitates withdrawal from the university in order to complete the required remediation. (The required leave of absence may cause federal student loans to go into repayment status. It is the student's responsibility to meet with a financial aid counselor and to understand the full impact of the leave of absence on his or her federal student loan repayment.)
    2. Termination: A student may be terminated from the academic program when conditions are judged to be of a serious nature and are not judged to be remediable; for example, insufficient grade point average, a serious violation of university or school standards of conduct and ethics or failure to remediate previously identified deficiencies within the specified time.

Appeals Process

A student has the right to appeal a decision to the relevant university official. Appeals will only be considered when they are received in writing, usually within fourteen (14) business days of the date of the decision letter. Students must comply with the deadline listed in the letter.

Appeals may be made only on the basis that one or more of the following factors have contributed to an unfair or unsupported decision: A) the process deviated from applicable policy/procedures, B) serious violation(s) of other university policies, rules or procedures C) preponderance of facts or other evidence not consistent with the final decision D) new information is available that was not available at the time the matter was originally considered and/or EE) bias or discrimination in the review process.

When an appeal is made, all relevant university officials will cooperate fully in presenting and discussing the recommendations and actions. The original university official decides the appropriate process for consideration of the appeal.

Absent unusual circumstances, the appeals processes should normally be completed within twenty (20) business days of receipt of the appeal. Appeal decisions made under this section are final.

Restorative Discipline

FPU is committed to honoring God by dealing with all violations and offenses by holding students accountable to the community for their behavior in ways that recognize and protect dignity and promote personal growth and maturity while encouraging reconciliation and restoration. One aim of community life at FPU is that all members strive to voluntarily and consciously experience and nurture right relationships with God and with others. This requires a lifestyle of Christian discipline through accountability, which begins with self-examination and self-control and includes personal and communal responsibility. Discipline at FPU, then, is an expression of the practice of community.

God has called us into community, a network of mutually caring and uplifting relationships patterned after the example given to us by Jesus Christ. Recognizing that we who are involved in community are imperfect people influenced by an imperfect world, restorative discipline at Fresno Pacific University is intended to be a process that:

  1. Is fair and just.
  2. Will enhance the academic purpose and atmosphere of the campus.
  3. Is educational and developmental for the students involved, encouraging student maturity by providing students with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
  4. Provides opportunity for reconciliation of those who have been harmed or estranged, enabling the restoration of an individual to his or her place in the community.
  5. Encourages student responsibility by holding students accountable for their own actions, including making restitution for damages.
  6. Enhances the atmosphere of safety and well-being on campus.

For further information on restorative discipline, contact the program director, dean or Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Standards

Fresno Pacific University believes strongly in the importance of students maintaining academic rigor. Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA required to complete their program will be academically disqualified. See the Financial Aid section for additional information. Students who wish to remain enrolled will be required to appeal. Please see the Registrar's Office for additional information on how to appeal an academic disqualification.

Regaining Eligibility

Students who complete a mandatory leave of absence may at some future point seek readmission. Students may regain eligibility by submitting a written appeal to the Registrar's Office. Students who successfully appeal may enroll and complete coursework that improves their cumulative FPU GPA and/or completion rate to bring them in full compliance with the Academic Standards.

Program Standards

Each program may have standards which students must meet to remain in the program. Unsatisfactory academic progress may be indicated by little or no progress on the master's thesis or project, failure to meet program academic standards, or a failed course in some cohort-type programs.

Registration Processes

Students are required to respect the various academic and administrative deadlines listed in the academic calendar and other university publications. Failure to do so constitutes grounds for warning, probation or disqualification from the program.

Each student is provided with an @fpu.edu email address as the official method for communicating deadlines and other important information. Students are required to check their Fresno Pacific University email on a regular basis.

Active Enrollment

To remain on active status, students who have not yet begun their thesis must enroll in consecutive semesters (excluding summer) or have an approved leave of absence. Students who have not enrolled in a class each semester and do not have an approved leave of absence will be administratively withdrawn. Seminary students who wish to reenter a program after being inactive need to reapply. Graduate students who wish to reenter a program after not being continuously enrolled must meet with their program director prior to enrollment to complete a new program advisement form and submit an application for change of status with graduate admissions. Reentry students are required to meet any new program requirements in effect at the time of reentry. Students who plan to miss a semester should follow the leave of absence policy described below.

Administrative Withdrawal

Students who do not register or apply for a leave of absence by the end of the term will be administratively withdrawn from the university and withdrawn from the academic program. If the student has not filed a Leave Of Absence form with the Registrar's Office, the school will assume that the student has chosen to withdraw from the program. The student must respond within 14 business days of the date posted on the notification letter in order to remain active in the program.

Veterans Education Benefits

The university is approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAVVE) for the training of veterans.

For up-to-date information regarding eligibility requirements, award amounts offered by the government, and specific details, please contact the VA or visit gibill.va.gov (gibill.va.gov).

Academic Integrity Policy

All people participating in the educational process at Fresno Pacific University are expected to pursue honesty and integrity in all aspects of their academic work. Fresno Pacific University seeks to take a restorative approach to actions of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is a serious violation of university rules and policy, but it is seen primarily as an indication of broken relationship and a separation between the offender (student) and the university community. It also jeopardizes the growth and learning of the individual and is a disadvantage to those people who do their work with integrity. The offense and response to it are seen as an opportunity for constructive learning and growth and for the offender to be restored to the community. This restorative approach emphasizes acceptance of responsibility for harm done and searches for responses and consequences that facilitate learning and restoration.

Definitions

It is the student's responsibility to know and understand what constitutes academic dishonesty and to seek guidance when in doubt about these matters. Fresno Pacific University defines academic dishonesty as follows: result. For additional information on the standard consequences for academic honesty, please speak with your mentor, advisor or the Registrar's Office.

Cheating Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids or extended assistance in any academic activity, exercise or exam.
   
Plagiarism Plagiarism is theft and can be committed intentionally or unintentionally. Plagiarism can occur by representing the writings, works or ideas of another as one's own or by copying material from a resource without proper citation. Exact copying should be correctly documented; for example, students should use footnotes or endnotes when appropriate. Paraphrasing, when the basic sentence structure, phraseology and unique language remain the same, also requires proper citation.
   
Sabotage Willfully damaging or impeding the academic work of another person. This has particular application to computer files, library resources and laboratory or studio work and may include software piracy, constructing and introducing viruses into a system or copying copyrighted programs. This may also include deliberately depriving others of necessary academic sources.
   
Fabrication or Falsification Altering or inventing any information or study aids in any academic exercise. This includes falsification or unauthorized modification of any academic records. This may also include attempting to gain advantage over fellow students in an academic exercise through such means as lying about the need for an extension on a paper
   
Aiding and Abetting Helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty. For example, students may not duplicate work nor allow others to conduct research or prepare work for them without advance authorization of the instructor.
   
Reuse or Re-submitting of work Submitting work or significant portions of some work for use in more than one course without the instructor's knowledge and permission

First Offense

The typical consequence for a recognized first offence is a zero on the assignment. However, depending upon the nature of the violation, the response may be:

  • Appointment with the director of the Center for Writing and Learning.
  • Meet with a special tutor, program director, mentor/advisor or sponsor.
  • Re-do assignment (e.g., paper or exam) with guidelines for re-submission.
  • Complete an additional substitute assignment.
  • Re-do assignment for less credit.
  • Reduction of grade for an assignment.
  • Zero on the assignment.
  • Reduction of overall course grade.
  • Withdrawal from or failure of course.
  • Other consequences agreed upon by the student and faculty member

All student/faculty mutually determined and agreed-upon responses (and fulfilled agreements) will be reported to the appropriate dean and the student's mentor or advisor.

Multiple Offenses

All second or multiple offenses of any kind will be treated as recognized and intentional (i.e., as known, willful violations) and dealt with by the appropriate dean. Multiple offenses may include:

  • Second/third/subsequent offenses.
  • Different types of offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, etc.)
  • Simultaneous offenses (e.g., in different courses).
  • Unintentional followed by intentional offenses.

The typical response for a second or multiple violations maybe failure of the course, loss of eligibility for honors, possible loss of financial aid and may result in reduction or removal of scholarships at the discretion of the dean. The typical response for a third violation will be disqualification from attendance at the university, which becomes part of the student's official record.

The student can appeal in writing their disqualification status to the Provost within 5 business days following the date of their notification of disqualification, during which time they are allowed to remain in class.

The university is committed to the restorative discipline process described in the previous section. For additional information on the administrative process used when an accusation of academic dishonesty exists, please speak with your mentor, advisor or the Registrar's Office.

Educational Environment

Fresno Pacific University endeavors to provide a safe and orderly environment, in which all students are able to pursue their academic, social and spiritual development. The university reserves the right to implement a disciplinary process, which may culminate in the mandatory leave or termination of any student who does not meet behavioral standards or comply with University policies. The university also expects that the actions of any student not pose a threat to the health and/or safety of others and not unreasonably disrupt the educational environment of the university.

Threat to the Health and/or Safety of Others

Threat to the health and/or safety of others means, for example, any act, planned act or threatened act that places another student, member of the faculty or staff or any campus visitor at an unreasonable risk of bodily harm, exposure to illness, loss of life or destruction of property. A threatened act includes overt threats, as well threats reasonably perceived by the actions, interactions and/or conduct of a student. Further, a student may be considered to pose a direct threat to the health of others if current medical information indicates that the student's behavior and/or medical condition could reasonably expose others to illness, disease or other bodily harm. This exposure risk must exceed that commonly found in community environments and would include a student's possession of a presently contagious illness or disease and/or failure to maintain appropriate hygiene.

Unreasonable Disruption to the Educational Environment

Unreasonable disruption to the educational environment means, for example, any disruptive act that unreasonably impedes another student's functioning within an academic or community life setting or unreasonably impedes the ability of faculty, administration or staff to fulfill their duties and obligations. A violation may include a single disruptive act or ongoing acts and may involve complaints from students, faculty or staff. In determining violations, an assessment will be made of the nature and extent of the disruption and the content and frequency of the complaint(s).

University Response

Violation of these or other policies may result in disciplinary action up to and including mandatory leave or termination, without refund of tuition and other amounts paid. The restorative disciplinary process of the university is set forth in FPU student handbooks. The university reserves the right to remove a student from particular settings or from all university activity pending the outcome of the disciplinary process, depending on the nature and extent of the disruption or threat as outline above.

While the university expects all students to meet the behavioral standards, it recognizes that some students possess medical or psychological conditions that may affect functioning within the behavioral rules of the university. The university will comply with all requirements imposed by law to provide reasonable accommodation and/or appropriate academic adjustment for those with disabilities. If medical or psychological intervention is needed to assist the student in meeting the behavioral standards, the university may choose to offer the student the opportunity to comply with an intervention plan as a partial or complete substitute for disciplinary action. The student may also be placed on a contract that identifies the behaviors of concern, the accompanying behavioral expectations and the length of contract. If the student does not meet the behavioral standards after assenting to an intervention plan or if the student violates the contract, the university may take disciplinary action up to, and including, mandatory leave or termination.

FPU Community Standards on Harassment and Sexual Harassment

The university community believes that all individuals have the right to study, teach, work and live free from harassment. As a Christian community, we will model and work with each other in ways that respect and encourage full acceptance of all people and the full exercise and development of our individual gifts and vocations. Harassment of a student or an employee of the university by other students, employees or supervisors of Fresno Pacific University will not be tolerated. All reports of harassment will be taken seriously, promptly investigated and addressed.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

  • Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic advancement.
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for an employment decision or performance evaluation affecting an individual.
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating a hostile, intimidating or offensive working/learning/living environment.

Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to:

  • Verbal conduct such as epithets, derogatory jokes or comments, slurs or unwelcome sexual advances, invitations, flirtations, propositions or comments.
  • Display of derogatory and/or sexually-oriented objects, photography, cartoons, drawings or posters.
  • Physical conduct such as sexually-oriented gestures, assault, inappropriate touching, blocking normal movement or interfering with work.
  • Threats, demands or subtle pressure to submit to sexual requests as a condition of continued employment or academic advancement or to avoid some other loss, and offers of preferential treatment in return for sexual favors.
  • Retaliation for having reported or threatened to report sexual harassment.

Harassment based upon any of the characteristics described, including sexual harassment, is absolutely prohibited. The following types of harassment are prohibited: faculty to student, employee to student, student to student, student to faculty, student to employee and employee to employee.

Falsely accusing members of the community of sexual harassment is prohibited. Due process is available to victims of complaints that are investigated and proven to be false or unfounded.

Filing a Complaint

Employees or students who believe that they have been subjected to conduct of a harassing nature are encouraged to promptly report the incident (either verbally or in writing) to the university official listed below most closely connected to the individual(s) involved. Employees or students who observe sexual harassment are also encouraged to report the incident.

Where to Report Sexual Harassment

  • Student to student harassment may be reported to the resident director, the assistant dean of student development, the dean of student life, the provost, or the director of human resources.
  • Student to staff harassment may be reported to the supervisor of the department, the dean of student life, the director of human resources, the provost or the area vice president.
  • Student to student harassment may be reported to the supervisor of the department, the dean of student life, the director of human resources, the provost or the area vice president.
  • Student to faculty harassment may be reported to the dean of the respective school, the dean of student life, the director of human resources or the provost.
  • Faculty to student harassment may be reported to the dean of the respective school, the dean of student life, the director of human resources or the provost.
  • Employee to employee harassment may be reported to the supervisor of the department, the director of human resources, the provost or the area vice president.

When one of the above administrators has been contacted by the complainant they will contact the appropriate principal administrator listed below, and the principal administrator or his/her designee will begin an immediate investigation.

  • Dean of Student Life 453-7154
  • Director of Human Resources 453-2245

Confidentiality

Every effort will be made to protect the privacy of the parties involved in any complaint. However, the university reserves the right to fully investigate every complaint and to notify a student's parent/guardian and appropriate government officials as the circumstances warrant.

To see the full policy and procedures document please go to the following link:

http://handbook.fresno.edu/discrimination-harassment-sexual-misconduct/

Sexual Assault and the SaVE Act

The SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination) Act partners with the Jeanne Cleary Act to create expectations for transparency, accountability, education and collaboration concerning the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Additional information on reporting any of these items can be found immediately above.

Fresno Pacific University commits to the following regarding transparency:

  • Victims will be assisted by campus authorities in reporting a crime to law enforcement.
  • Victims will be able to change academic, living, transportation or working situations to avoid a hostile environment.
  • Victims will be able to obtain and FPU will help enforce a no contact directive or restraining order.
  • Victims will receive a clear description of their institution's disciplinary process and know the range of possible sanctions.
  • Victims will receive contact information about existing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance and other services available both on-campus and in the community.

Fresno Pacific University commits to the following regarding accountability:

  • Proceedings shall provide a prompt, fair and impartial investigation and resolution and are to be conducted by officials receiving regular training on domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
  • Both parties may have others present during an institutional disciplinary proceeding and any related meeting, including an advisor of their choice.
  • Both parties will receive written outcomes of all disciplinary proceedings at the same time.

Seminary Community Standards Statements

In keeping with the seminary's mandate to prepare kingdom-minded leaders for the global church, we believe that all are called to become more like Jesus. Our educational programs emphasize training the whole person and applying Scripture (which we believe to be the authority for what we teach and how we live) to daily living.

Because spiritual formation is so significant for a Christian leader, we expect all engaged here to apply the following standards thoughtfully to their specific social and cultural situations. This application necessitates a call to holiness that brings each person's personal and corporate life into conformity with the mind of Christ, and prepares him or her to serve Jesus Christ as Lord. Our expectation is that graduate students preparing for ministry will consistently model a godly lifestyle on and off campus. We expect our community and its members to show respect, love and consideration for others. We believe that every human being is a valuable person created by God in His image and thus possesses inherent dignity, and we, as believers, are called to love and treat every person with respect. Students are expected to respect the law and conduct themselves as responsible citizens who contribute to the welfare of the greater community. This manner of living obeys Jesus' commandment to show love for others echoed by the Apostle Paul.

Followers of Jesus make a habit of encouraging and building up others, showing compassion, demonstrating unselfishness, and displaying patience. Harassment of any person, whether that person is or is not a member of the community, is not acceptable. Differences of opinion on any issue are not only permissible, but are expected and frequently encouraged as part of the educational process. However, dialogue about differences is always to be conducted with reason, consideration for the feelings of others, and recognition of the Biblical Seminary as a unique, faith-affirming community called to serve within the diverse society in which we live.

In applying this call to holiness, we ask that students, faculty and staff refrain from practices that are contrary to biblical teachings and utilize careful judgment in the exercise of personal freedom. Out of respect for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, as good stewards of our relationships with one another, and in relation to our individual and communal fitness for ministry, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of alcohol or illicit drugs by any member of the seminary community on university property is prohibited. While the use of alcohol by adults is lawful, alcohol use is prohibited on the university campus. Smoking is also not allowed on the campus or in the private apartments on campus.

This exercise of personal freedom also entails the responsible use of time and material resources including regular attendance at classes and chapel services, and prudent care of financial resources. Furthermore, because many contemporary forms of amusement are of questionable value or diminish one's moral sensitivities, members of the community are to use discernment in their choice of entertainment including television, movies, live productions, and social dancing, whether on or off campus.

We hold these standards in a positive atmosphere that encourages examination of their biblical foundations through free interaction with administration and faculty. While respect is an important part of the learning experience, as our learning outcomes state, we also strongly encourage every student to develop a personal biblical and Christ-pleasing lifestyle. All students should be committed to a church community in which they can exercise Christian love and be held accountable.

Finally, we believe that as a community, we are called to hold one another accountable to these standards in love and grace and to confront one another in humility and in truth.

Restricted Items and Activities

The seminary restricts the use of some items on campus for the safety and well-being of the campus community. From time to time there may be restrictions in addition to the ones identified here; those restrictions will be communicated through the usual campus communications (Pipeline, posted notices, and announcements).

The seminary requires students and guests to participate in campus events in a way that does not threaten the safety or other members of the community, which does not disrupt campus life, that supports the purposes of the seminary, and that is consistent with the ethical and lifestyle standards of the Anabaptist and evangelical churches that the seminary serves. Students and guests who disregard these campus standards will be subject to sanctions, which may include being asked to leave campus, mandatory withdrawal (without financial refund) or being reported to legal authorities.

  1. Fresno Pacific University is a smoke free campus. Smoking cigarettes, pipes or cigars is not permitted on campus.
  2. Firearms and other weapons requiring licensing are not permitted on campus. Other items intended primarily as weapons, such as knives and mace are not permitted.
  3. Drugs that are controlled substances are not permitted on campus.
  4. The use of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on campus.

Additional standards and resources are listed in the FPU Annual Security and Fire Safety report found on the university website.

Gender Equity

The seminary desires that all persons, female and male, live and work together in mutual respect and high regard for each other as bona fide members of the community. Therefore, the faculty have agreed:

  1. That men and women have equal access to the education and to the degrees which the seminary offers.
  2. To provide guidance, counsel and assistance in locating positions in church ministries for which men and women have gifts and qualifications.
  3. To encourage and assist seminary student spouses to take classes whenever possible, and to be participants in the life of the seminary community.
  4. That women and men shall have equal rights, freedom and equal regard in all matters of school life, position, privileges and responsibilities.
  5. To give guidance and encouragement in the discerning of gifts for ministry, and provide training and opportunity for the equipping and exercising of these gifts for men and women alike.

Inclusive Language

Students are required to use inclusive language in both class discussion and assignments. This is an expression of our commitment to gender equality. It is also in keeping with generally accepted writing and communication styles in North America today.

Recommended Resources

Seminary Disqualification for Lack of Ministry Readiness

The seminary faculty may disqualify a student for lack of readiness for ministry. Reasons may include problems in communication or patterns of behavior deemed by the faculty to preclude effectiveness in the ministry of the church.

Disqualification is linked to the annual student evaluation process: faculty evaluation for first-year students, second-year evaluation (supervised ministry or prepracticum), or ministry discernment for second- and third-year students.

The faculty reference group or the ministry discernment group may recommend termination of a student to the Seminary Academic Committee (SAC). If the SAC agrees with the recommendation, it is forwarded to a meeting of the seminary faculty as a whole.

It is also possible for the faculty to ask a reference group, a discernment group and/or the expanded SAC to review the status of a student on lack of readiness for ministry grounds. The faculty may disqualify a student by a consensus decision on the basis of a recommendation from the expanded SAC.

The appeal process for readiness-for-ministry disqualification gives the student the right to a hearing at every level of decision making and the right to the counsel of a friend, a pastor or a faculty member in the appeal process. A student may request reconsideration of a recommendation by requesting a special meeting with the reference group, the Seminary Academic Committee or the faculty as a whole. The appeal process shall be expeditious and not take more than two weeks from the day the student is notified of termination. Following review of an appeal, the decision of the faculty is binding.

Readmission Following Disqualification for Readiness for Ministry Reasons

A student disqualified for readiness for ministry reasons is permitted to apply for readmission to the seminary one year after disqualification on the basis of the following criteria:

  1. A letter requesting readmission and reporting how the concerns leading to the disqualification have been addressed.
  2. A letter from a therapist and/or pastor that recommends readmission because the concerns leading to disqualification have been resolved.
  3. The completion of any psychological tests the seminary may request for readmission.
  4. An interview with the former academic adviser and at least two faculty members appointed by the academic dean.

The acceptance of an accountability group established in consultation with the academic dean and the dean of students to monitor student progress and growth. The requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of readmission must be met for graduation.

Illegal and Criminal Offenses

Illegal and criminal offenses may include, but are not limited to, criminal homicide; including murder, and non-negligent manslaughter and negligent man-slaughter; sex offenses including forcible and non-forcible; robbery; larceny-theft; simple or aggravated assault; intimidation; burglary; destruction/damage/vandalism of property; motor vehicle theft and arson. The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security includes a more detailed discussion of offenses, policies and procedures related to this area of conduct.

Alcohol/Drug policy

Fresno Pacific University is dedicated to creating a safe and healthy learning environment for all in the campus community. All students and employees are prohibited from unlawful possession, sales, manufacture, use and/or distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol on property used or owned by FPU. Violations of state and federal laws pertaining to the possession, sale, use, of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are enforced under the California Business and Professions Code and other applicable state and federal laws. Members of the Fresno Pacific University community, are prohibited from using or serving drugs or alcohol as part of any university sponsored functions, whether on or off campus. This policy also extends to the North Fresno, Merced, Visalia and Bakersfield campuses and CASA Pacifica.

Weapons Policy

Students may not possess or use fireworks on campus or any other Fresno Pacific University facility including Casa Pacifica. The unauthorized possession, use or sale of BB guns, Air-Soft, paintball guns, firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks or other dangerous weapons, as defined in sections 16000, 19910, and 626.10 of the California Penal Code on FPU property is forbidden and is subject to university discipline and/or criminal prosecution. Students of the FPU community who possess a valid CCW (Carry Concealed Weapons permit) may not carry a concealed weapon on any FPU property and are not exempt from this policy. The conditions set forth on any CCW permit may also state the conditions of carry on school properties and should be adhered to, but will not supersede this policy.

Hate Crimes/Incidents

Crimes or incidents involving the degradation of any race, religion, creed, life/sexual orientation will not be tolerated. Incidents of a criminal nature shall be submitted to the proper authorities for investigation and prosecution.

Workplace/Domestic Violence Policy

The personal safety and welfare of the campus community and its visitors is of paramount importance to FPU. University policy does not tolerate violence, threats of violence, or acts of aggression towards members of the campus community or its visitors.

Any violence, threats of violence, or acts of aggression should be reported immediately to the Department of Campus Safety or to the appropriate supervisory personnel. Personnel engaging in this behavior shall be subject to disciplinary action by the university, and may also be subject to applicable civil and/or criminal actions as well.