Principia
College
I commit to serve God and
humanity through the study and healing practice of Christian Science,
expressed in principled thought and action, unselfed love, and moral
courage.
Principia’s standards
hinge on the principles set forth by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and by Mary Kimball Morgan, who
established The Principia.
Mrs. Eddy originally
called her teachings “moral science” and repeatedly stated that
strong morals are indispensable to the successful practice of Christian
Science. Her writings
include many references to honesty, purity, temperance, fiscal
responsibility, obedience to the Golden Rule, and abstinence from
addictive substances. The following examples help to elucidate
Principia’s moral standards in their spiritual context: Science
and Health p. x:30, p. 115:26, p. 453:16, p. 449:11; The
First Church of Christ Scientist and Miscellany p. 114:3.
Reflecting Mrs. Eddy’s
teachings, Mary Kimball Morgan believed that a Principian’s behavior
should be characterized by high standards of integrity.
In a message originally directed to college men, but equally
relevant to women, she challenged each to consider these questions:
Are you the man who has
learned to act from Principle in all that he does; one who has learned
to regulate his conduct according to the demands of Principle so that he
is not swayed by impulse, by mortal opinions, or by human will-power;
one who does not make a god of his own selfish desires but has the aim
of being of service to his fellow-man; one whose outlook on life is
bigger than his own personal interest, a life above pettiness and worry;
one who constantly subordinates his animal nature to his finer
instincts, thus training himself to strengthen only those qualities
which make for mental and moral cleanliness and purity of character?
Do you believe that youth has to sow its wild oats? The farmer
who believed he had to sow wild seed with his good seed would reap
unfruitful crops. We reap as we sow.
Every act determines how much of a success a young man is going
to be. He who compromises with error throws his weight by that much into
the wrong scale
(Education at The Principia, p. 196).
Principia College assumes that its students have
made a conscientious choice to align themselves with the unique purpose
and moral standards of this institution. They are accountable, both on
and off campus, whether school is in or out of session, for behavior
that is in accord with the Code of Conduct. If they do not honor the
code, they should seek confidential counseling or
honorably withdraw.
While Principia’s moral standards have remained
constant throughout its history, its institutional rules and procedures
have evolved with changing times and needs. Whether one agrees with all
the current rules and policies, or feels that some should be changed,
obeying them is an essential responsibility of each community member for
the well being and progress of both the individual and the community.
Social Conduct.
Students are responsible for:
•
being honest in all situations;
• living
completely free from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational
drugs;
• abstaining from pre-marital and extramarital sexual relations,
and from homosexual activity;
• demonstrating respect for safety and for the personal and
property rights of others. Disrespect includes, but is not limited to,
violent acts or language, rape, hazing, harassment, theft,
vandalism, indecent exposure, and other illegal activity.
A social violation will be referred to Restorative
Justice, Community
Board, or the grievance process advisor and could result in social suspension. (See section on “Social Discipline” below.)
A student may be considered for suspension for any behavior
deemed “loose social conduct” (Policy 22). A pattern of disregard
for lesser school rules could also result in disciplinary suspension.
Academic Integrity
and Performance. Students
are responsible for doing their own academic work and making
satisfactory progress. (See the College Catalog for academic progress
policies.) Instances of cheating
or plagiarism are referred to the Scholastic Committee.
Poor academic performance or a breach of academic integrity could
result in academic suspension.
Students on academic suspension are not allowed to remain in break
housing.
Financial Integrity.
Students are responsible for paying their Principia bills in a
timely manner. Instances of
delinquency will be referred to the Financial Standards Committee. A
violation of financial integrity could result in financial suspension.
Students on Financial Suspension are allowed to be employed on campus and stay in break housing
after the end of the quarter in which they are suspended, but must leave
campus by the day students move back into regular dorms.
After clearing their financial suspension, students are required
to make the scheduled payment on their established payment plan before
starting the upcoming quarter and to keep their account current for the
rest of the school year. Falsification
of information on applications for financial aid or scholarships may
result in social discipline and/or the loss of Principia-provided aid
(scholarships, loans, need-based grants, work-related grants, and
employee tuition discount).
Spiritual
Reliance. “Members
of the faculty, staff, and student body will be expected to rely on
Christian Science for healing” (Policy 4). In extraordinary
circumstances, temporary use of medicine is compassionately regarded
(see Science and Health p.
444:7-10). Under such
circumstances, the college will try to find a way to help a student
complete as much of the current quarter’s academic work as possible,
although remaining in the house or Cox Cottage may not be an option.
Students who rely on medicine beyond one quarter will be asked to
temporarily withdraw until such usage is discontinued. A withdrawal is
not a suspension and does not negatively affect the student’s record.
Spiritual Defense
Principia expects every student to contribute to the
spiritual strength and well-being of the community through the study of
the Bible Lesson, prayer during Quiet Time, and attendance at church
services.
Prevention of Graduation
A graduating senior found responsible for a Code of
Conduct violation may be prevented from graduating, even if all academic
requirements have been completed. The
student may re-apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office
once the disciplinary conditions have been met.
If
a community
member
is
aware of circumstances that threaten someone’s immediate well being, he
or she should
act to prevent harm and, if necessary, get help. Confidentiality is
outweighed by the need to get help.
Suicidal talk, eating disorders, other health risks, fights,
recklessness, drug dealing, hazing, hate acts, child abuse, possession
of a lethal weapon, are examples of situations that should be
immediately reported to a
resident counselor or the dean
of students (ext. 5162). For the
quickest response of nursing
care, call Cox Cottage first
(ext.
5000),
and then 9-911 if an ambulance is needed. If
there is an armed attack, or any other case that needs an immediate armed
response
from the police, call 9-911 first
and
then
the
Gate House (ext. 5111).
Confidential Counseling
Students who have not honored the Code of Conduct or
who have questions about it may seek help from any faculty, staff, or
resident assistant (RA) with the assurance that what they share will
remain confidential. Information learned through confidential
self-disclosure cannot be used in a disciplinary hearing without the
student’s permission, nor can a case be moved forward for discipline
as the result of this self-disclosure. The goal of this confidentiality
is to make certain that while students pursue healing, they can talk to
someone about the reasons behind Principia’s requirements without fear
of disciplinary consequences. Confidential
counseling must be initiated by the student.
This confidentiality does not apply to situations
which present immediate danger (see section above: “Get Help When
There is Immediate Danger”); nor does it exempt a student from
disciplinary consequences if a violation is independently discovered.
Confidential counseling does not provide immunity from being
accountable for one’s actions. Confidential
counseling does not apply to situations when a school official is
investigating a possible Code of Conduct violation.
Honesty during an investigation is required.
If a faculty, staff, or RA working confidentially
with a self-disclosing student perceives that the student is not
sincerely seeking healing and is continuing to break the code, he or she
is not permitted to move the case forward for discipline.
He or she may discontinue meeting on the disclosed subject and
urge the student to “honorably withdraw.”
Faculty, staff, and RAs are welcome to consult a resident
counselor or the dean of students without revealing the name of the
student that is engaging in confidential counseling with them.
Students are always encouraged to seek the help of a
Christian Science practitioner. The practitioner-patient relationship is
confidential in accordance with Article VIII, Section 22 of the Manual
of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy.
Student government, chartered houses, student clubs
and organizations must conduct their business in accord with
Principia’s Purpose and Policies, school rules, and their own mission
statements and by-laws. The
activities are subject to school supervision through resident
counselors, faculty/staff advisors, and college administrators.
Disregard of policies or rules by a student
organization could result in one or more of the following: short or
long-term cancellation of activities, fines, or work fines.
Houses could also experience reassignment of one or more house
members to other houses, no assignment of new members to the house, loss
of charter, or permanent reorganization.
Clubs could also lose approved status for receiving student
activity funds, or be dissolved.
Acceptance of student leadership positions in any
Principia student organization includes accepting responsibility to
conduct the business of that activity as true Principians (EAP p. 85:34,
177:20, 214:28). A leader
who permits activities inconsistent with Principia’s Purpose,
Policies, or school rules could be fined, removed from office, or
suspended.
“With individual healing as our goal, rather than
merely the establishment of an orderly school, we shall eventually find
the result to be demonstrated order, honesty, and purity in the entire
body of pupils, and we shall, as a school, become ‘every whit
whole’” (Mary Kimball
Morgan, Education at The Principia,
p.19).
In all its activities, Principia promotes healing
and character education. Within
this context social discipline proceeds from the premise of each student’s
innate goodness and perfection, and its goal is to help students develop
their spiritual relationship with God and their moral relationship with
others.
Alleged Code of Conduct
violations that are discovered and reported are referred to either
Restorative Justice or Community
Board (except those associated with sexual harassment charges which are
referred to the grievance process adviser). A first offense qualifies
for Restorative Justice if the offender admits responsibility and both
the person offended and the offender choose it. A
case that does not qualify for Restorative Justice will be heard by
Community Board.
Restorative Justice’s
mission is to “support Individual and community healing.”
Since the offender has admitted to the offense, a Restorative
Justice circle is not judiciary. Nor is confidentiality guaranteed.
The purpose of the circle is to help both the offender and those
affected to talk with each other about why the offense happened, what
harm was done to individuals and the community, and the reason for the
standard. The circle includes the person offended, the offender, one or
two trained facilitators, and other community members either affected or
able to support the student’s growth (e.g. witnesses, roommates, house
or team members, advisor, professors, coach, employer, etc.). Together,
the individuals in the circle determine a reparation plan that will
restore losses, rebuild relationships, and build a community in which
this type of offense is less likely to happen.
Usually these objectives can be accomplished without suspension.
However, if the circle recommends suspension or the offender does
not follow through on the reparation plan, the case will proceed to
Community Board.
Community
Board exists to hear cases of student social discipline brought before
it with the goal of supporting and maintaining the Purpose and Policies
of The Principia. With healing and reconciliation as its primary
objectives the Board endeavors to express wisdom, responsibility,
integrity, and good will in upholding Principia’s standards. The Board
consists of twenty-eight members: sixteen students and twelve
faculty/staff, all of whom receive training in the judicial process and
standards of evidence. An individual case is heard by a panel of two
student members, and two faculty/staff members.
The hearings are confidential.
If a situation requires
immediate action, the dean of students may temporarily suspend or
restrict a student until a circle or a panel can hear the case.
The dean of students may hear the case if a circle or a panel
cannot be assembled (e.g. during finals or breaks) or if the student is
withdrawn.
Principia
College
is committed to maintaining a fair process in which students are
presumed innocent, are informed of the offenses with which they are
charged, and have the opportunity to tell their side of the story.
The College keeps its procedures simple and free from legalism.
It does not allow community members to divulge to a circle or a
panel what has been shared with them in confidential counseling, unless
permission has been given by the student.
Every case is handled individually within a framework of general
guidelines and precedents.
Upon investigation of evidence
in a given case, a charged student not found responsible may be
exonerated and no record of the incident will be retained in his or her
file. All substantiated violations, however, will have disciplinary
consequences. The Community Board first determines that there is
sufficient evidence that a student has violated the code.
If so, it then uses the following guidelines to determine what
level of consequence best fits the violation(s).
Consequences reflect the severity of the violation, the history
of previous violations, and the student’s degree of honesty during the
investigation. Dishonesty in
any investigation or hearing may result in an additional quarter of
suspension.
Warning.
Students who are accountable for minor violations generally
receive a formal letter of disciplinary warning, a copy of which will be
placed in their file. They
may also be asked to participate in educational sanctions and, if
applicable, to pay damages and/or fines.
Immediate suspension
for the remainder of the current quarter.
Students who are accountable for typical first-time violations,
or multiple lesser violations, generally are immediately suspended for
the remainder of the current quarter.
Suspended students may not continue work in their courses as of
the date of suspension. Withdrawal
grades may be authorized through a petition to Scholastic Committee.
They may also be asked to participate in educational sanctions
and, if applicable, to pay damages and/or fines.
Violations discovered when school is not in session will result
in suspension for the following quarter.
A student can re-enroll after a quarter’s suspension only if he
or she is willing and able to abide by Principia’s Code of Conduct.
Immediate suspension
for up to one year. Students
who are accountable for second violations or severe violations generally
are immediately suspended for one year.
Suspended students may not continue work in their courses as of
the date of suspension. Withdrawal
grades may be authorized through a petition to Scholastic Committee.
They may also be asked to participate in educational sanctions
and, if applicable, to pay damages and/or fines.
They may reapply through the Admissions Office for the quarter
that begins following the passage of a full academic year.
It is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate, through
the normal re-application essays and references, his or her readiness to
return to Principia and abide by its Code of Conduct.
Appeals.
Appeals to the dean of students may be made if there is
indication of new evidence or that the institution did not follow the
fair process outlined above.
International
Students. Consequences
for international students may be more severe, as according to the
United States Department of Homeland Security regulations, suspension of
an international student on F-1 or J-1 visa status could result in
deportation from the
United States
. Due to visa issues for
international students and to facilitate regulatory compliance, when a
recommendation of suspension occurs an automatic review will be
conducted by the SEVIS principal designated school official, the dean of
students (and the academic dean in academic suspensions).
During the review process, students have to comply with the Blue
Pages’ policies regarding campus housing of suspended students.
The review process may take up to 21 days.
No action will be taken in SEVIS until the review is complete.
Parental Notification
Principia reserves the right to contact parents as
it deems appropriate in disciplinary situations and in health-related
challenges.
Student
Government’s Academic Honor Code
The academic standard we, the
students, strive to uphold at Principia is one of integrity,
responsibility, and honesty. The
following Academic Honor Code was developed by students for students,
independently of—though certainly supported by—the faculty, staff,
and administration. As a
member of the Principia Community, I am committed to ensuring academic
honesty by upholding* these standards:
·
Doing
my own work or collaborating with others according to the professor’s
expectations.
·
Refraining from pressuring others into sharing work.
·
Being aware of the class’s standards for sharing ideas.
·
Avoiding plagiarism by citing information correctly, including
all
information from the Internet, according to Writing Center
standards.
·
Taking responsibility for my individual academic integrity and
insisting
that others do the same.
I
understand that this code is based on principle and that abiding by
these standards is a requisite condition of my study at Principia.
*Uphold:
To support, sustain, maintain, by aid or assistance; to preserve
unimpaired or intact; to support by advocacy or assent; to sustain
against objection or criticism (Oxford
English Dictionary Online)
