The purposes and qualities of life sought in this campus community are determined by the board of trustees in cooperation with faculty, staff and students. Bluffton affirms that rules controlling smoking, drinking and drugs serve purposes which are appropriate on grounds of health, cleanliness, safety and regard for others. Bluffton realizes that its rules can scarcely be expected to regulate behavior when students are not under its jurisdiction. However, that is not to say that off-campus behavior is a matter of indifference to the university community. Off-campus conduct may detrimentally affect a student’s own academic effectiveness and the lives and activities of others.
Bluffton retains the right to exclude any students whose conduct does injury to themselves or to the university community. Persons are admitted to Bluffton University with the understanding that they will be responsible members of the academic community.
There are some specific expectations which members of the community have developed as important to the quality of life desired for Bluffton. As members of the campus community, students are encouraged to worship regularly on campus and in the church of their choice. As part of this emphasis on building community, self-selective fraternities and sororities are not permitted. In addition, students are expected to:
In this campus community both students and faculty share in the responsibility of maintaining campus standards. The student life staff and the Campus Judicial Board, composed of elected faculty and student representatives, handle campus disciplinary cases. Infractions of the rules and any serious misconduct become the particular concern of student life staff and the Campus Judicial Board.
For students’ welfare and in the best interests of the campus community, the university reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student at any time when the university authorities deem such action imperative.
Harassment policy
Bluffton affirms the principle that students, faculty and staff have the right to be free from any racial, sexual or any other type of harassment by any other member of the campus community. This is simply a restatement of the expectation that members of our campus community will respect others who are a part of the community and the positive gifts they bring to the community. Bluffton's policy is that any type of harassment is unacceptable and will be viewed as a violation of campus standards.
Examples of the types of harassment that are unacceptable include threats or verbal abuse directed toward another member of the community, including verbal assaults, derogatory racial, sexist or homophobic remarks, defamation of character or any other type of behavior that knowingly puts another member of the community in a state of fear or anxiety. This applies to any type of communication (e.g. telephone, e-mail, face-to-face, group interaction), and it may involve a single or repeated incident.
The honor system
Bluffton University observes the honor system in taking examinations and writing research papers. No monitor is in the classroom during test or examination periods. Students are asked to write and sign the following pledge on every examination paper: “I am unaware of any aid having been given or received during this examination.” If a student cannot conscientiously sign this pledge, the course instructor is to be notified. Plagiarism is considered a serious violation of the honor system. (The Student Handbook contains a complete statement on plagiarism.) Reported offenses are normally resolved through the campus judicial system. Although the honor system applies specifically to the academic area, it is understood that the spirit of the honor system should pervade all aspects of campus life.
