Community & Academic Standards

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.

• Satisfactory academic progress
• Program standards
• Registration processes
• Veterans affairs standards
• Academic integrity
• Standards on disruption to the educational environment
• Standards on harassment and sexual harassment
• Illegal and Criminal offenses
• Degree completion community expectations

Each area is explained in more detail in the sections that follow.

Failure to Meet Standards

When one or more of the above standards are not met, the following actions may be taken: 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 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 disqualification 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   A student may be disqualified from registering for university classes or withdrawn from classes.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 placed on mandatory leave of absence when the situation requires serious remediation that necessitates withdrawal from the university in order to complete the required remediation
   2. Termination
      A student may be terminated from the academic program when conditions are judged to be of a serious nature.

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 within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of the decision letter (inclusive of the sent date). For additional details on the appeals process, please refer to the Registrar Office's website.

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.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Progress

Fresno Pacific University believes in the importance of students maintaining academic rigor. Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA required to complete their program for two consecutive semesters 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.

Readmissions

Students may regain eligibility by submitting a written appeal. 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. For additional details on the appeals process, please refer to the Registrar Office's website.

Program Standards

Programs may have stricter standards that students must meet to remain eligible.

Veterans Educational 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:

Consequences of Student Academic Dishonesty

Although first, second and third offenses typically result in the same consequences, the university seeks to review every situation as unique. For additional information on the standard consequences for academic dishonesty, please speak with your mentor, advisor or the Registrar's Office.

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 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 threatening 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 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. 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 any FPU employee (faculty or staff) with whom the student feels comfortable.  The FPU employee will help the student understand what their options are and what resources are available.  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 any FPU employee (faculty or staff) with whom the student feels comfortable.

Student to staff harassment may be reported to the supervisor of the department, the vice president 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 vice president 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 vice president 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 vice president 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.

• Vice President 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 notify 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.

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 and 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.  Additional materails and information are available via the various Student Handbooks.

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 to carry on school properties and should be adhered to, but will not supersede this policy.

Hate Crime/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

According to the Clery Act, FPU residential students have the option to identify a separate contact person for FPU to notify within 24 hours of the determination that they are missing. If students are under 18 years of age and not emancipated, FPU will notify the person listed below and their parent(s) or guardian(s) within 24 hours of the determination that they are missing. All official missing student reports are referred to Campus Safety.  FPU officials will notify local law enforcement within 24 hours of the determination that a student is missing.  The following information is registered with Residence Life, is confidential, is accessible only to authorized campus officials and will not be disclosed except to law enforcement for the purpose of an investigation. Missing students must be reported to Residence Life or Campus Safety.

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.

Degree Completion Community Expectations

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones must be turned off or set to vibrate in class and in quiet study areas. Students may check messages and respond during breaks. If students expect a call because of personal or professional emergencies, they should advise the instructor beforehand, set the device to vibrate only, sit near a door so that they can leave unobtrusively and wait until they are well away from the class and the door behind them is closed before beginning speaking. Use of cell phones is prohibited during exams.

Visitors

Presence in classrooms is restricted to properly enrolled students or instructor-invited visitors. Instructors of record are responsible for ensuring that individuals who attend their classes are properly enrolled or have been invited for the purpose of making special announcements, guest lecturing or other authorized reasons. Degree completion courses may not be audited.

Unregistered family members or friends may attend only special events designated as such. Instructors are responsible for addressing situations when unauthorized individuals attend their classes.

Children in Class

Programs do not make accommodations necessary for care of minors during class time. Children (including, but not limited to, children of instructors and of students) may not attend classes. Students who bring children to class will be asked to leave the classroom. Parents are responsible to make necessary provisions for their children to be cared for off campus. Leaving children unattended in any university public area, including, but not limited to, empty classrooms, student lounges, campus lobbies and parking lots is prohibited.

Field Trip

Children under the age of 18 are not allowed on university buses, vans or cars. If space allows and if approved by the faculty of record, adult visitors may accompany students on field trips. Pre-teens and teens may attend field trips not involving university transportation and if approved by the faculty of record. All participants must comply with FPU behavioral standards.

Children on Campus

Children are generally allowed to attend special events (e.g. athletic events, drama presentations, musical events) on the main campus as long as they are supervised by parents or another designated adult and not prohibited by the event organizers. Line of sight supervision by the designated adult is required at all times. If a child becomes disruptive, staff may require the student and child to leave. Attendance prohibitions do not apply to special children's events, such as sport camps, music camps and visitation days designed especially for children.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in the classroom or on field trips, except for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compliance Officers

Non-Discrimination Officer:

Brent Corson

Executive Director of Human Resources

McDonald Hall

1717 S. Chestnut Ave

Fresno, CA 93702

Telephone: 559-453-2245

Fax: 559-453-5514

E-mail: brent.corson@fresno.edu

Title IX Officers

Coordinator

Dr. Randy Worden

Vice President of Student Life

Steinert Campus Center

1717 S. Chestnut Ave

Fresno, CA 93702

Telephone: 559-453-2246

Fax: 559-453-7147

E-mail: randy.worden@fresno.edu 

Investigator

Pam Schock

Assistant Dean of Student Development

Steinert Campus Center

1717 S. Chestnut Ave

Fresno, CA 93702

Telephone: 559-453-7115

Fax: 559-453-7147

E-mail: pschock@fresno.edu 

Investigator

Betsy Myers

Assistant AD for Sports Medicine

Special Events Center

1717 S. Chestnut Ave

Fresno, CA 93702

Telephone: 559-453-2274

E-mail: Betsy.Myers@fresno.edu 

Investigator:

Nayely Carlos

Human Resources Generalist

McDonald Hall

1717 S. Chestnut Ave

Fresno, CA 93702

Telephone: 559-453-2245

Fax: 559-453-5514

E-mail:  nayely.carlos@fresno.edu

Investigator:

Jennifer Martinez

Assistant Director of Advising

Visalia Campus

245 North Plaza Drive

Visalia, CA 93291

Telephone:  559-302-4102

Fax: 559-302-4199

E-mail:  jennifer.martinez@fresno.edu

Section 504 Coordinator:

Staff/Faculty

Brent Corson

Executive Director of Human Resources

McDonald Hall

1717 S. Chestnut Ave

Fresno, CA 93702

Telephone: 559-453-2245

Fax: 559-453-5514

E-mail: Brent.corson@fresno.edu

Students:

Melinda Gunning

Director of Academic Support Services

Marpeck

1717 S. Chestnut Ave

Fresno, CA 93702

Telephone: 559-453-2247

Fax: 559-453-6710

E-mail: melinda.gunning@fresno.edu