Code of Conduct
UVF Pillars
Core Values
- Jesus is our Center
- Students are our Focus
- Progress is our Expectation
- Excellence is our Pursuit
- Servant-Leadership is our Identity
- Teamwork is our Spirit
- Community is our Calling
Community Life
The culture and community of the University of Valley Forge is defined by seven values: Jesus is our Center, Students are our Focus, Progress is our Expectation, Excellence is our Pursuit, Teamwork is our Spirit, Servant Leadership is our Identity, and Community is our Calling. Centered on Jesus and biblical principles, we desire to align our behavior (how we live, work, serve, and grow together) with our community values. Realizing all of us fall short of God’s glory, the University believes that upholding biblical expectations for community and behavior allows us to cultivate an environment where a Spirit-filled, loving community can develop.
The following community standards reflect the kinds of issues people encounter when living in community together, including safety concerns, interpersonal issues, health and wellbeing, and state and local requirements. While some behavioral standards may seem lenient to some, and strict for others, it is our intention to uphold biblical principles of conduct. This may mean voluntarily setting aside some personal freedoms for the sake of the community. Community is our Calling. Together we endeavor to promote personal and community culture and behavior that helps us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Behavioral Standards
Statement on Racial Diversity
As a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered academic community, we value each individual and the resulting cultural diversity of our community. The Bible states clearly that each person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). God is equally concerned about people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Christ, in His saving work, has destroyed the walls that separated us as people, bringing reconciliation through the cross (Ephesians 2:14-18). The work of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost created a diverse community, centered on Christ, driven by an eternal mission, and knit together by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). At the end of days, people from every tribe and tongue will be seen worshipping around the throne of Christ (Revelation 7:9).
With these biblical truths as a foundation, and in light of our mission, to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world, the University of Valley Forge wholeheartedly embraces the charge to grow as a community characterized by Christian love, respect, and understanding. UVF celebrates the racial diversity of our campus and recognizes that we must strive for harmony so that all individuals on-campus experience a safe and respectful environment in which people of all racial backgrounds are valued.
UVF will not tolerate racism in any form. Therefore, the following policy regarding racial diversity applies to all students, faculty, and staff.
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Racial harassment or discrimination is illegal and will not be tolerated in any form. The use of racial epithets, insults, slurs, threats, jokes, intimidation, or utterances of any kind will not be tolerated.
- Viewpoints about race should be expressed within a respectful setting with the goal of learning of experiences other than one’s own. Respectful conversations about race meant to produce growth in understanding are welcomed and encouraged; however, it is imperative that mutual respect remain at the core of these conversations. Members of the UVF community come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may hold varying viewpoints on any topic, including race. All members of the UVF community are encouraged to show empathy and support of one another when the topic of race arises.
- Through educational efforts, we seek to create and implement strategies to increase racial and ethnic competency among campus members and to develop a healthy, racially diverse campus culture.
- UVF will respond promptly and firmly to all acts with racist intent. Students are encouraged to report incidents of racism to the Student Life Office immediately. Residence Life Directors and/or members of the Diversity Committee will gather information from all parties involved. The Vice President of Student Life will take action to resolve the issue in a fair and just manner. Language or acts of racist intent will be considered Level 2 infractions; serious or repeated language or acts of racist intent will be considered Level 3 infractions according to the University’s Disciplinary Process.
Statement on Human Sexuality and Gender Identity
As a community of believers in Christ, we have faith in the redeeming and sanctifying work of God in all areas of our lives. The University of Valley Forge is endorsed by and committed to the doctrinal statements of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, rooted in Evangelical, Holiness, and Pentecostal traditions, and we align with our parent organization regarding interpretation of Scripture. Our ultimate goal is to recognize that our true identity is in Christ and our daily thoughts and actions give us opportunity to live out redeemed identity. We believe as we commit our lives to God, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith, compassionately care for and lead others to Christ, and be good stewards of all of our resources, including sexuality.
We believe God created humans to love and worship Him above all else (Deut. 6:5) so that everything we are and everything we do falls under His Lordship. We are His people. So, as we consider our human sexuality, we strive to honor and serve Him, above our own desires. Our sex and sexuality is not an end in itself but is something God created for His purpose. We understand our beliefs may be contrary to other worldviews and we do not seek to antagonize or disrespect those whose views differ from our interpretation. Since the University of Valley Forge is a Christian university, guided by the above principles, members of this community are expected to live congruently with the Scriptural teachings of our heritage. We further expect this community of believers to extend grace and care as we strive to honor God in all we do and say.
We believe God created two distinct sexes, male and female (Genesis 1:27; Matt. 19:4-5), and our sexuality is a gift from God reflecting who we are as humans, designed for His purpose to do the good work He has called us to do. We regard sex at birth as the identification of a person’s biological sex and do not support attempts to alter one’s birth sex in favor of an opposite psychological gender. This statement is not meant to reflect those rare situations concerning congenital disorders of sex development.
We believe God designed sexual intimacy to be expressed solely within a marriage between a male and female (1 Cor. 6:9, 16-20) and sexual intimacy outside of that marital relationship, as recorded in Scripture, violates the will of God. We do not support acts of sexual behavior (opposite-sex or same-sex) other than those that occur in legal marriage between a male and female.
Our commitment is to live in ways that guide us towards holiness, whether we are unmarried or married. Our sexuality, expressed through sexual abstinence for single persons and sexual faithfulness in marriage, allows us to bring honor and glory to God.
We do not support behavior whereby personal desire, satisfaction, and/or dominance (such as pornography, lust, exhibitionism, sexting, sex trafficking, etc.) supersedes care for others and service to God.
Persons in our community may have had experiences that cause them to struggle in maintaining sexual purity or faithfulness, experience same-sex attraction, or question their biological sex or psychological gender. These experiences may have led to internal conflict and external behavior that is incongruent with the biblical standards. But this is not the end of the story. We serve a God who redeems our sexuality and who invites us to trust Him with our whole beings. For those whose beliefs align with these Christian teachings and community standards, the University of Valley Forge can be a place of healing and restoration. We seek to care for persons in ways that convey respect, concern, support, and accountability.
Interpersonal Conflict and Disputes
As UVF aims to be a Spirit-filled loving community, we recognize that conflicts will still occur. Learning how to reconcile with each other using proper biblical conflict-resolution strategies is a life skill that we must learn as disciples. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 and Matthew 5:9 instruct us that our attitude and approach of resolving interpersonal disputes and conflicts should be as both a peacemaker and an ambassador of reconciliation.
When facing an unresolved conflict or a dispute, students are encouraged to first seek the Lord in prayer regarding the issue. After praying about the issue, students are then expected to take the initiative to resolve the dispute with the other person(s) involved (Matthew 18:15-17, Matthew 5:23-24). If students are unable to reach a resolution, they should then ask an objective member of campus leadership for help and guidance. (An objective member of campus leadership could be a Resident Assistant, Residence Director, Director of Campus Life, and other staff and faculty members.) If the dispute involves a student and a University employee, it is appropriate to ask their supervisor to help support a resolution.
At any time if you are unclear regarding the steps you should take to resolve a conflict or dispute, the Vice President of Student Life and other Student Life staff are available to listen and provide resources for how to proceed.
Grievances
A grievance is defined as an issue related to a perceived academic or nonacademic injustice, whereby a student believes that he/she has been dealt with unfairly or in a way that violates established laws, rules, polices, or procedures by an employee or employees of the University. The University’s full Student Grievance Policy is available on the website at valleyforge.edu under Consumer Information. The Student Grievance Petition Form allows students to submit a formal grievance to the University for investigation. Students are asked to review in detail the University’s Student Grievance Policy before submitting the form.
Response to University Personnel
A prompt, respectful, and cooperative response to requests for information or to meet with University personnel, including Campus Security officers, is required and greatly appreciated. Students are required to respond within 48 hours to all email or phone requests for information. Students who fail to cooperate or respond inappropriately to a request are subject to disciplinary action, which may include a fine.
Personal Expression
The right to free expression is limited not only by general community concerns, but also by individual needs and biblical standards. Sensitivity to the rights, needs, and concerns of others should be evident in all public areas, including the library, classrooms, residence halls, athletic areas, lounges, Dining Commons and campus grounds. Vulgar or coarse language, coarse joking, obscenity, lying, gossip, passing rumors, verbal abuse, racial slurs, intimidation and the like are prohibited on campus, off campus, and in online venues such as social media, email, gaming, etc.
Interruptions and Disturbances
Senseless acts that damage or destroy resources are not tolerated. Willful acts of disruption in class, chapel services, or the day-to-day business of the University are prohibited. Such acts include but are not limited to: failure to comply with the directives of University officials; false reports of fire or other dangerous conditions; creation of a fire hazard or other dangerous condition; activities or actions that interfere with campus safety, civility, or environmental health.
Hazing and Pranks
Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization, is strictly prohibited. Disciplinary action will be pursued if students are involved in hazing. Similarly, pranks that cause harm to persons or property are also illegal and strictly prohibited. Because the appropriateness of a particular act may be difficult to gauge, students are discouraged from participating in pranks. Consequences may include a verbal or written warning, a fine or other disciplinary sanction as appropriate. UVF will not tolerate any pranks that could be objectively viewed as invoking fear or concern for safety.
Alcohol and Tobacco
The purchase, possession, transportation, consumption, or distribution of intoxicating beverages, tobacco or paraphernalia (pipes, hookahs, electronic cigarettes or recreational vaporizers) in any form is prohibited. For those under 21 years of age, consumption of alcohol is also a crime according to the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. In light of the University’s concern regarding alcohol consumption, students are not permitted to be employed as bartenders. This standard applies both on and off campus and is to be followed the entire time an individual is enrolled or living at UVF, including weekends, breaks, and summers. Students who have been convicted under State or Federal law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance, are ineligible for federal student aid for specific periods ranging from one year to an indefinite period depending on the nature of the offense and whether the student is a repeat offender.
Substance Abuse
UVF complies with the Drug Free Schools and Communities act. The use, abuse, or unauthorized use of all controlled substances, illegal or prohibited drugs and non-medical narcotics or hallucinogenic drugs, and the possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited. Students who possess, distribute, purchase, illegally manufacture, and/or use narcotics (including medical marijuana, the misuse, abuse, or unauthorized use of prescription drugs or other non-controlled substances, Salvia, any form of hallucinogens, etc.) or other intoxicants, or who otherwise violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action. Federal laws prohibit marijuana use, possession, and/or cultivation at educational institutions. There is no exception for medically prescribed marijuana or any product containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in any of its forms or their derivatives; therefore, the use, possession, or cultivation of marijuana for any purposes, including medical, is not allowed. A first offense violation of this policy includes a range of responses up to dismissal from the University. The University will cooperate with law enforcement agencies in responding to illegal drug possession.
Notification of a History of Addictions
Students who have a history of addiction to alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, pornography, or other potentially life-controlling issues are strongly encouraged to discuss the matter with their Residence Director. The purpose of the conversation is to promote accountability and to determine if resources are available to assist the student.
Discrimination
Discrimination of any type (e.g. racism, sexism, ageism) will not be tolerated.
Criminal Activity
Members of the UVF community are required to conform to all local, State and Federal laws. Students who are arrested for any reason (misdemeanor or felony at the City, State or Federal level) are required to notify the Student Life Office immediately. The University will cooperate with local authorities when it becomes aware that a law may have been broken. The University may pursue disciplinary action when students are suspected of unlawful behavior regardless of the status of criminal or civil proceedings.
Knowing Presence
A “knowing presence contribution” is defined as: behaviors, active or passive, which fail to confront or correct the misconduct of fellow community members. Students who choose to remain in the vicinity when one or more violations are occurring are choosing to accept the consequences of that decision. Anyone who creates an opportunity or encourages another person to violate regulations may be deemed as responsible as the actual perpetrator and may be subject to the same sanctions.
These behavioral standards are for all students for the entire time they are enrolled here.
Emotional Health
It is not unusual for students to experience difficult circumstances during their college career. Whether it is a relationship breakup, stress, depression, past trauma, or even the death of a loved one, professional counseling or pastoral guidance is sometimes needed. Students in difficulty are encouraged to contact the Health and Wellness Center which will provide referrals to qualified professional counselors through the Counseling Center. Limited funds are available to assist students with the cost of these services. Students who have been diagnosed with a serious mental health disorder or who are consistently seeing a mental health professional are also requested to inform the Health Center so that the student can receive assistance and support. Students with a history of eating disorders, abusive relationships, or who have experienced any other trauma are encouraged to seek helpful and supportive resources by contacting a the Health Center and /or their Residence Director. In some instances, a student may be asked to commit to and sign a Wellness Contract. The Wellness Contract will outline specific steps the student will take, under the guidance of Residence Life staff, to encourage his or her well being and health. The contract may include such elements as regular counseling appointments, regular meetings with the University nurse, outside medical care, pastoral mentoring, keeping an eating log or journal, suspension of leadership, athletics or extracurricular activities for a specific length of time, etc.
On rare occasions, a student may be required to leave UVF for a period of time in order to receive appropriate medical care. Students not actively attending classes or chapel are subject to involuntary withdrawal from the University if it is determined that they are suffering from severe emotional distress, and as a result of that distress, engage in or threaten to engage in behavior that may cause harm to themselves or to others, or that proves disruptive to the University community.
Any student suffering with thoughts and plans of suicide or who has recently tried to take their life will receive emergency mental health services. Crisis services directly address suicide risk by providing evaluation, stabilization, and referrals to ongoing care. Residence Life personnel will also intervene by providing support. If a student has expressed suicidal feelings, has a plan, the means available and has a time set, you should always take him or her seriously. A student who is “high risk” for suicide should never be left alone. Keep talking to that student, stay with him or her or arrange for another party (someone who the student trusts and feels comfortable with) to stay with them. Remove from the vicinity any potentially dangerous items such as drugs or sharp objects that could be used for suicide.
The student should not be left alone even in a hospital waiting room. The student can be left alone only when the student has been admitted into the Hospital ER room. Always let the hospital personnel know that you are leaving. The hospital will provide a hospital employee to oversee and watch the student.
Several attempts will be made to connect with the student’s emergency contact person. If the situation is safe and the student is stable, the adult emergency contact and the student can choose to get emergency treatment in the student’s hometown. The hometown must be in driving distance from the school. The emergency contact must be reliable and understand that the student needs crisis intervention and that the student should not be left alone.
Public Intimacy
Respect for others limits the settings in which physical intimacy can occur. Discretion in the display of affection is expected in public places, including all lounges. Displays of affection that could place another person in a compromising situation or cause offense or embarrassment are prohibited. Lap sitting, resting one’s head on the lap of another person, and extended periods of hugging or kissing are not appropriate in public. In addition, students should refrain from posting pictures or videos online that portray images described in this section.
Sexual Immorality
Members of the University community are required to refrain from all forms of sexual immorality including, but not limited to, any form of pornography, promiscuity, homosexuality, pre-marital sex, adultery, rape, sexual violence and abuse, public nudity, contact of intimate parts above or below clothing, sharing sexual images of oneself or others and other forms of sexual misconduct. Furthermore, the use of University telephone or computer equipment or personal computer to access pornographic sites, services, databases, or talk radio stations is prohibited. Actions which infer sexual immorality, such as ‘hooking up’ or ‘sleeping together’ or ‘living together’ are also prohibited.
Pregnancy is one possible result of sexual behavior. Students should know that the University of Valley Forge sincerely supports any student who finds herself pregnant and chooses to seek help in carrying out the pregnancy. The University strongly believes in the sanctity of human life and that all persons are made in the image of God and is opposed to elective abortion as a means to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Any student faced with such a decision is greatly encouraged to see their Residence Director for help and support.
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct
The University of Valley Forge is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students and a professional workplace for its employees and takes active measures against all discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and sexual harassment, including sexual misconduct and violence.
Sex-based harassment is a form of sex discrimination and means sexual harassment and other harassment on the basis of sex, including on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity, that is:
- Quid pro quo harassment – An employee, agent, or other person authorized by the recipient to provide an aid, benefit, or service under the recipient’s education program or activity explicitly or impliedly conditioning the provision of such an aid, benefit, or service on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
- Hostile environment harassment – Unwelcome sex-based conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the recipient’s education program or activity (i.e., creates a hostile environment). Whether a hostile environment has been created is a fact-specific inquiry that includes consideration of the following:
- The degree to which the conduct affected the complainant’s ability to access the recipient’s education program or activity;
- The type, frequency, and duration of the conduct;
- The parties’ ages, roles within the recipient’s education program or activity, previous interactions, and other factors about each party that may be relevant to evaluating the effects of the conduct;
- The location of the conduct and the context in which the conduct occurred; and
- Other sex-based harassment in the recipient’s education program or activity; or
- Specific offenses
- Sexual assault meaning an offense classified as a forcible or nonforcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
- Dating violence meaning violence committed by a person:
- Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
- Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
- The length of the relationship;
- The type of relationship; and
- The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship;
- Domestic violence meaning felony or misdemeanor crimes committed by a person who:
- Is a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction of the recipient, or a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim;
- Is cohabitating, or has cohabitated, with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;
- Shares a child in common with the victim; or
- Commits acts against a youth or adult victim who is protected from those acts under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction.
- Stalking meaning engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:
- Fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or
- Suffer substantial emotional distress
- Consent means words or overt actions by a person who is competent to give informed consent indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
- Silence is not a guarantee of consent.
- Consent to one activity or one event in time does not imply consent to future sexual actions.
- In order to give consent, one must be of legal age.
- A person cannot give consent when they are mentally or physically incapacitated.
Any member of the University community may report complaints of sexual harassment, including sexual misconduct, to the Title IX Coordinator. Any form of sexual harassment is unacceptable for any member of the University community including faculty, staff and students.
Any member of the University community may report complaints of sexual harassment, including sexual misconduct, to the Title IX Coordinator. Any form of sexual harassment is unacceptable for any member of the University community including faculty, staff and students.
