Article 1 - Overview

A. Mission, Vision and Philosophy

Concordia University is an educational institution of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is dedicated to fostering and building a Christian community in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. As members of this community, students will interact with other students, staff, faculty and administrators. Therefore, it is essential that students understand that the Lord calls each person to: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10).

Honor and respect go hand in hand. Honoring others leads to respect for the rights of others. Therefore, students are required to engage in responsible social conduct that reflects credit upon the University community and models good Christian citizenship. It is clear that in a community of learning, willful disruption of the educational process, destruction of property, and interference with the orderly process of the University, or with the rights of other members of the University, cannot be tolerated. We focus on our Honor One Another (H1A) goals:

  1. Honor Others: One value of learning lies in understanding what knowledge can contribute to the community. It is expected that students will be open to learning, including learning about and respecting persons and cultures different from their own. Members of the campus community must act out of Christian charity and mutual respect to establish an atmosphere of trust. Therefore, Concordia University expects its members to behave towards one another with civility, sensitivity, consideration, understanding, tolerance and an active concern for the welfare of others. The University is particularly concerned that its members show respect for others regardless of race, creed, gender, disability or nationality, and avoid all forms of harassing or offensive behavior.
  2. Honor the Community: Concordia University wishes to develop and foster a sense of community among the members of its Christian society. Behaviors which undermine the mission of the University, undermine any department or segment within the University, and/or adversely affect the educational goals of this community are counterproductive. Therefore, CU expects its members to value membership in this community and to honor the community with a high degree of respect. The University also wishes to be a good neighbor to the communities near which we reside. The actions of Concordia University students in these communities directly reflect on the image of the University and of all students attending Concordia. Therefore, the University expects its students to conduct themselves within the laws of the neighboring municipalities, the state and the nation. Students whose behavior (on or off campus) is judged to reflect negatively on the image of the University or who violate municipal, state and/or federal laws will be subject to all the disciplines and sanctions contained in this code.
  3. Honor Oneself: Concordia University values all of its students and is deeply concerned with their total development. Concordia expects that students will care for their physical and mental well-being (self-care). Therefore, it is appropriate for the University to set expectations for personal integrity with the aim of encouraging students to appreciate their own talents, take responsibility for their behavior and actions, and enhance the quality of their lives. This translates into honoring oneself. When the student’s behavior becomes self-destructive and/or affects the education and lives of other members of the community, the Dean of Student’s office is empowered to respond appropriately as outlined in this Code, including sanctions for behavior. Students who engage in such self-destructive behavior or demonstrate an inability and/or unwillingness to provide for self-care that negatively affects the community may be required to submit to an assessment and/or comply with directions which will protect the student’s and/or others’ well-being. Students engaging in such behaviors are also encouraged to seek help from University resources (e.g., counseling, health services, and academic support services)

B. General Rights and Responsibilities

  1. The Right to Fundamental Fairness: The University is committed to a fundamentally fair conduct process that affords each student alleged to have violated any policy notice of the allegations and a hearing before the designated University official(s). The university also allows for appeals by certain parties, as outlined in the appellate procedures below.
  2. The Right to Review Records: Consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as amended, the Act assures students "the right to inspect any and all official records, files, and data directly related..." to themselves, and assures the student an opportunity for debate or correction of inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data in the student's file.
  3. Parental Notification: CU reserves the right to notify parents, in accordance with FERPA, when it determines the circumstances warrant such notification.
    1. According to CU policy we will notify parents/legal guardians of students following the first violation of the CU drug policy.
    2. According to CU policy we will notify parents/legal guardians of students following the second violation of the CU alcohol policy.
    3. For any students, regardless of age, that is in a situation that is threatening to their own health or safety situation or placed another in a situation that is threatening to their health or safety, the parents, legal guardians, and any “emergency contact” may be notified. This may include any referral to any wellness center for an alcohol or drug assessment.
    4. When the Chief Student Success Officer (CSSO) or designee determines that circumstances exist where it is in the best interest of the student and University to notify the parent, CU will notify the parents/legal guardians.
    5. If it is deemed by the CSSO or designee that it may be counter-productive to notify a parent, then the procedures may be altered as necessary.
  4. Anti-Discrimination Statement
    1. Concordia University fully subscribes to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in private, church-affiliated institutions of higher education. CU will not illegally discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law. However, CU is a Christian educational institution operated by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and, in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion. Gender discrimination and sexual harassment (including sexual assault) are prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
    2. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Concordia University is committed to full compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities, as well as other federal and state laws pertaining to individuals with  disabilities. Under the ADA and its amendments, a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The ADA also protects individuals who have a record of a substantially limiting impairment or who are regarded as disabled by the institution whether qualified or not. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking, or caring for oneself.
      1. Concordia University is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities with reasonable accommodations and support needed to ensure equal access to the programs and activities of the University.
      2. All accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. A student requesting any accommodation should first contact the Academic Resource Center which coordinates services for students with disabilities. The director reviews documentation provided by the student and in consultation with the student, determines which accommodations are appropriate to the student’s particular needs and programs. It is then the student’s responsibility to make direct requests for accommodations to the appropriate staff.

C. Statement of Reporting Party and Responding Party Rights

  1. To be treated with respect by University officials.
  2. To take advantage of campus support resources, such as Counseling, the Office of Campus Ministry, and University Health Services for students, etc.
  3. To experience a safe living, educational, and work environment.
  4. To have an advisor during this process.
  5. To be free from retaliation.
  6. To have complaints heard in substantial accordance with these procedures.
  7. To be informed in writing of the outcome/resolution of the complaint.