4.1 : University Community Standards
The Greenville University Community standards are based upon the lifestyle statement listed above. The following text is written to help students apply these principles in their daily lives.
Greenville University is a Christian academic community which seeks to meet the emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual needs of its members. Every community possesses certain characteristics which distinguish it from other communities and which it maintains through established behavioral norms and sanctions.
We acknowledge that the norms adopted by a community may not satisfy all its members. Nevertheless, standards of conduct help the university meet its objectives. The university must make those standards clear and support them with consistent action. The student must understand those standards and meet them in both spirit and practice.
The Board of Trustees, Administration and Faculty of Greenville University recognize that the following principles outlined in Scripture and practiced by Christians are basic for meaningful and harmonious community living.
1. We affirm our dignity and worth as creatures of God.
2. We accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ and voluntarily identify with and gain strength from those who follow Him.
3. While we know that salvation is not obtained by following rules of conduct, we are also aware that true Christian liberty is not so much freedom from regulations as freedom through disciplined living. We are free to glorify God and live for others, but not free to sin.
4. We abstain from actions and attitudes expressly prohibited in Scripture and by the laws of the land. Other actions reflect individual conviction, and, in these areas, we avoid judging others or causing them to stumble.
5. Where the laws of God and society do not speak explicitly, we hold that each Christian must decide what behavior is appropriate for them. We remember, however, that orderly community life and the reaching of common goals may require the individual to limit his own privileges for the good of the group.
6. We acknowledge our responsibility for stewardship of our individual abilities, resources, and opportunities, and for the stewardship of the resources and opportunities of the community.
We expect the following traits and behaviors will characterize any person.
1. A sincere desire to mature intellectually, socially, and spiritually.
2. A growing concern for the welfare of others and for the welfare of the community.
3. An understanding of service as an important form of leadership and a desire to experience the joy of serving others.
4. Openness to new ideas and experiences.
5. Responsibility for his/her own behavior and its effect on other persons.
6. Honesty in conversation and authenticity in behavior.
7. Awareness of becoming a part of a community with a strong tradition and a desire to value and respect that tradition even while reviewing and evaluating it.
8. The following statements help define an environment which promotes maximum growth.
9. We value individuals even when their behavior is unacceptable.
10. People learn to handle freedom by exercising self-direction and accepting the consequences.
11. Truthful personal responses enhance personal growth.
12. We counsel, direct or correct people whose behavior is detrimental to personal or community development.
The following standards based on the institutional philosophy and the Biblical principles and general expectations stated above, apply to all members of the Greenville University Community:
1. We expect each person to conduct himself or herself according to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, responsibility, and love as set forth in Scripture.
2. We expect everyone who is a part of the Greenville University Community to uphold the laws of the local community, the state, and the nation, except in those rare cases wherein obedience to civil authorities would require behavior directly in conflict with the teaching of Scripture.
3. In addition to the explicit teaching of the Scripture and the laws of the land, this Community chooses to impose upon itself certain rules of behavior. Although we do not view these rules as absolute standards for all Christians, we hold to them in the belief that they serve both the good of the individual and the institution.
We offer the following statements as guiding principles which will help each person to behave responsibly and appropriately.
1. The Greenville University Community recognizes Sunday as a special Christian day, characterized by corporate worship, rest from the usual activities of the week, and renewal of the body, mind, and spirit. We strongly encourage the regular worship of God in Christ as essential for Christian living.
2. One should avoid questionable activities and entertainment that contribute little to one’s wellbeing or that diminish one’s moral sensitivity. Therefore, the University urges all members of the Community to practice discretion and restraint in the choice of television programs, videos, movies, theater, printed material, and card games. One should avoid any activity which violates principles of modesty, which occurs in a questionable setting, or which exploits people.
3. One’s decision about dress and personal appearance reflect the principles of modesty and appropriateness. Modesty requires that one wear decent attire. Immodesty through ignorance or carelessness is bad manners; immodesty calculated to shock or embarrass someone shows a lack of respect for others. Even though one’s appearance may express his or her personality, he or she should never make others uncomfortable.
4. All personal relationships should be based on consideration for the feelings of others. Public displays of affection make many people very uncomfortable. Private intimacies not connected to a deepening affection reveal a desire to exploit someone or to compromise his or her integrity. Propriety and good manners should mark all acts of affection in public. One should never treat other people as objects or use them for one’s own gratification.
5. There are aspects of our culture over which devout and sincere Christians disagree—for example, entertainment such as television and movie viewing, dancing, listening to popular music, reading books, and playing video games. Rather than provide a list of proscriptions, GU expects its members to practice scriptural standards of discretion and discernment in their daily lives to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As individuals and as a community, we must uphold the ideal of purity when choosing whether to participate in an activity. Prudence tells us that environments and activities which diminish one’s moral sensitivity should be avoided.
6. Because the university wants to promote the spiritual growth of every student, it makes available a variety of religious activities. We expect each member of the university community to participate regularly in the University religious activities and those of his or her own church.
7. Students and faculty form prayer groups and Bible studies in response to need and interest. The Office of Spiritual Formation, Residence Life, Greenville Student Outreach provide opportunities for service to others in the community. The churches in Greenville and the surrounding area provide many additional opportunities to participate in worship, Bible study and service. Several of them plan special activities for university students and welcome them to their services. Traditional chapel services are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each Tuesday a prayer and meditation chapel takes place and, on Thursday there is a student-led Vespers service.