Community Responsibilities: Institutional Response to Violations of Community Standards

The following procedures are based on the philosophy of higher education at Malone. Since Malone strives to provide experiences for intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of students, these disciplinary procedures are to be considered a part of the educational program and are consequently kept in harmony with our mission and purpose. The philosophy, purpose, and procedures provide an educational experience for all students involved, and do not violate persons or their rights. As a Christian community, we affirm that there should be a direct connection between belief and behavior. Therefore, the theoretical basis for this judicial system is derived from the law of God as summarized in Matthew 22:37-40, to love God and to love one's neighbor. The judicial system is meant to serve the community by calling members to responsible behavior and challenging them to live in the spirit of this law of love.

The discipline system is structured in such a way as to deal fairly with students accused of violations of Malone standards.

A. The accused student shall have an appropriately fair and expedient disciplinary hearing.

B. The student shall be notified as to the nature of the charges, before the disciplinary hearing begins.

C. The student will receive notification of all decisions rendered.

D. Every reasonable attempt will be made to keep disciplinary hearing information confidential. Therefore all such hearings are closed except for persons immediately involved, or as otherwise determined by the Vice President for Student Development or his/her designate.

E. In student disciplinary proceedings, the burden of proof generally, but not necessarily, will be the preponderance of the evidence; that is, based upon a determination that it is more likely than not that the student in question engaged or participated in the alleged misconduct.