College Policies and Grievance Procedures

I. General Policies

A. Integrity of Scholarship
All members of the King’s College community are asked to sign and abide by the “Honor Code.” The honor code in the setting of the university community gives special meaning to the integrity of an individual’s scholarship. Each student should do all that is possible to avoid even the hint of any violation of academic honesty. If a student is in doubt about any potential course of action, he should ask a faculty member for advice.

Specifically students should not:

1. Submit any work or portions of work that is not their own as if it was their own. This includes excessive rewriting of work by another person or downloading papers from the internet.

2. Fail to note and attribute ideas, summaries, and quotations or paraphrases not one’s own to their original source.

3. Collaborate on assignments unless authorized to do so by an instructor.

4. Use unauthorized aids for the completion of exams or homework.

5. Violate conditions set forth by an instructor for work to be done.

6. Fabricate data that has not been validated and submit it as factual.

No infraction of academic integrity will be tolerated. Cheating and plagiarism in any form may be considered sufficient grounds for suspension from the college. Students are required, by the terms of the college’s Honor Code, to report any observed infraction of academic integrity to a faculty member.

B. Policy Statement on Discrimination
The King’s College admits students of any race, color, nationality and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the college. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality or ethnic origin in its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs and other school-administered programs.

C. Policy Statement on Sexuality and Harassment

Sexuality and Relationships
Students attending The King’s College are welcomed into a community which strives to live by high academic and moral codes. The view of King's concerning sexuality and relationships combines a desire for high ethical standards with Biblical admonitions to live lives of purity.

While no students are required to sign a statement of faith upon entrance to the college, all students are asked to sign the honor code. All students are also made aware that the positions of the college and the classroom instruction will be consistent with a conservative interpretation of the Bible. Therefore, King’s high moral standards should surprise no one.

The King’s College recognizes sexuality as an important aspect of a person’s identity. Sexuality is a gift from God to be enjoyed within the context of a monogamous, heterosexual relationship. King's promotes a lifestyle based upon biblical teaching that precludes premarital and extramarital intercourse, homosexual practice and other forms of sexual behavior incompatible with biblical admonitions.

Humans are created as image bearers of God and thus have great significance and worth. Pornographic materials reduce humans to mere physical objects to be exploited by others. Thus, The King’s College does not permit any type of pornographic material to be used, possessed or distributed on campus. This includes the use of King's computers and internet access to view pornographic sites. Students in violation of this policy will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

In keeping with biblical principles and a desire for the college to emulate community life, excessive displays of affection on the campus of The King’s College are not acceptable.

The King’s College reserves the right to determine which sexual practices are incompatible with the mission of the college. Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Dean of Students.

Harassment and Sexual Harassment
The King’s College is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment in which all individuals treat others with dignity and respect and one which is free from all forms of intimidation, exploitation and harassment. Harassment is defined as any verbal, visual or physical conduct of a nature that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of his/her race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion or age, made by someone from or in the work or educational setting. This includes sexual harassment of employees and students in any form.

The King’s College prohibits sexual harassment of any member of its community whether such harassment is aimed at students, faculty or other employees and violators will be subject to disciplinary action. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment.

The following also constitute harassment and/or sexual harassment and will be subject to disciplinary action:

1. Submission to or rejection of conduct which is used as the basis of employment or matriculation.

2. The conduct has a negative impact upon the individual’s work or academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment.

3. The conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work or academic performance or otherwise adversely affects employment and educational opportunities.

4. Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for any decisions affecting the individual regarding benefits and services, honors, programs, opportunities, or activities available at or through The King’s College.

Examples of Harassment
Among the types of conduct that would violate this policy are the following:

1. Unwanted sexual advances or propositions

2. Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors

3. Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances

4. Visual conduct such as leering, making sexual gestures or other gestures which denigrate a person’s race, color, national origin, gender, disability, or age

5. Written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, or disability, and that is placed on walls, bulletin boards or elsewhere on The King’s College premises or circulated on the campus

6. Epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, or disability, graphic verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, suggestive or obscene letters, notes or invitations; and

7. Physical conduct such as touching, assaulting, impeding, or blocking movements

Any person who believes that he or she is being harassed or sexually harassed should bring the behavior in question to the attention of a representative of the college with whom the student feels comfortable discussing the matter. The student may also choose to seek a resolution of the problem through discussion with the person directly concerned. The college representative will then contact the Dean of Students if the alleged harasser is a student. If the alleged harasser is an employee of the college, a vendor of the college, or a contractor of the college, the representative will contact the President of the college. Every effort will be made to ensure confidentiality in dealing with the situation, although strict confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

All alleged incidents of harassment in any form will be taken seriously and will be fully investigated. If it is determined that an intentionally false accusation of harassment has been made, this too will be investigated thoroughly and treated seriously.

Any violation of this policy shall result in disciplinary action including but not limited to, warning, reprimand, probation, suspension, or termination. Retaliation against an individual for bringing a harassment complaint is prohibited by law and will lead to further disciplinary action. Nothing in this policy shall preclude a student from seeking redress through external legal proceedings.

Sexual Assault and Date Rape
Sexual assault and date rape are extreme forms of sexual harassment. The use of threat or force to obtain sexual contact, including sexual intercourse, is illegal and immoral. Sexual assault includes any of the following:

• Any intentional, non-consensual touching or threat or attempt to touch an intimate body part of another person
  
  
• Unwanted, inappropriate disrobing of another person or purposeful exposure of one’s genitals to another
  
  
• Forcing or attempting to force any other person to engage in sexual activity of any kind
  

By definition, a person who is intoxicated, unconscious, mentally impaired, or threatened is unable to give consent. Sexual assault and date rape are handled under the policies described under sexual harassment.

Sexual Assault Prevention
The King’s College will not tolerate any type of sexual offense committed by students, faculty, or staff. Sexual offenses in the State of New York are outlined under Article 130 of the NYS Penal Law. Of particular note is the definition of the term “sexual contact” under this article: “... any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person not married to the actor for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either party. It includes the touching of the actor by the victim, as well as the touching of the victim by the actor, whether directly or through clothing.” Committing such offenses can result in lengthy terms of imprisonment and civil action.

The King’s College is a nonresidential college located in the Empire State Building . As a result of our unique location, the safety of King's students, staff and faculty, is also of paramount concern to the Empire State Building Security. The Empire State Building maintains an around the clock security force that provides a strong presence in the public areas of the building and periodic monitoring of all hallways. The campus space of The King’s College is only accessible to those students and staff who have a King's security key. The doors are locked at all times. Visitors are only allowed onto the campus after checking in with the receptionist. The campus itself is equipped with security cameras that monitor the remote corners of the space.

Sexual assault incidents are more likely to occur in circumstances involving a remote or little used area of the campus such as a classroom, a back office, or off-campus hallway when a couple is alone. These situations should be avoided. Students and staff are encouraged not to exit the building late in the evening by themselves. Couples wishing to spend time together should do so in public where others are present or nearby.

Counseling and referral services are available to victims of sexual assault and other crimes through the Office of Student Development.

Security Procedure Updates
Security procedure updates are distributed through campus e-mail, posted on the college bulletin boards, and posted on the student web-site. Please check these areas often for important updates.

Romantic Relationship Advisory
The relationship between a faculty member and a student is a sacred trust that should be kept free from any constraint or coercion. Romantic involvement between a faculty member and a student can complicate this relationship. Both faculty members and students should be aware that romantic relationships between a student and a faculty member have historically led to great difficulty on the part of both student and faculty member due to the nature of the relationship.

In keeping with the biblical admonitions to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, faculty and students are encouraged to avoid romantic involvement or the appearance of romantic involvement. Faculty members are prohibited from having romantic relationships with students attending The King’s College.

D.  Public and Campus Safety
The King’s College is located within the New York City Police Department’s Mid-town South Precinct (Precinct #14). The Mid-Town South Precinct has approximately 16,000 people living in it and includes the million plus commuters that travel through Grand Central Station, Penn Station, and the Port Authority Bus Station every day. Crime statistics for the precinct are tracked by the New York City Police Department and are available on line at the following link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pdf/chfdept/cs014pct.pdf.

Crime statistics for incidents in the Empire State Building Campus and in campus housing are collected and published on the student website. The Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will provide upon request all campus crime statistics. The King’s College provides this report in compliance with Article 129-A of New York State Educational Law which requires the collection and disclosure of these statistics. King’s is also voluntarily reporting this information under the Federal Student Right-To-Know Act even though it is not required to do so. For more information about Campus Safety and crime statistics please contact Michael Moeller at (212) 659-7299.

For more information about crime statistics on campuses in the United States, students can visit the US Department of Education’s web site at http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/crime/criminaloffenses/index.html.

E. Emergency Closings
In the event of inclement weather or other emergency situations please call The King’s College messaging system at (212) 659-7203 for information regarding adjustments or cancellations to the class schedule. All weather-related delays or closures will be posted by 6:00 a.m. on the day in question.

F. Smoking
No smoking is permitted anywhere within the Empire State Building, The King’s College facilities or student residential housing.

G. Alcohol and Controlled Substances
The consumption and/or possession of alcohol on The King’s College Campus or with in the student residential housing is prohibited. The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs is prohibited.

H. Appropriate Dress for Class
Professional or professional-casual attire is required for class attendance, participation in events and activities at The King’s College, and being present on campus for more than 30 minutes. Students dressed inappropriately will be asked to excuse themselves and will be referred to the Dean of Students for consultation and possible disciplinary action. A professional or professional-casual look is characterized by the following items of clothing.

Men: shirts, including polo shirts, with collar, and dress or casual dress pants. Ties, jackets or sweaters when needed or desired.

Women: dresses and skirts of appropriate length, slacks or dress pants.

A professional or professional-casual look necessarily eliminates from the list of acceptable clothing such items as jeans, T-shirts, shorts, unprofessional clothing, non-religious headwear, detracting accessories or haircuts. As a rule, during the school year, men on faculty or staff are expected to wear a shirt, tie and jacket while on campus, while women should wear business attire. Summer wear is business casual.

II. General Discipline and Grievance Procedures

A. Student Grievance Committee
The student grievance committee fields any complaint brought by a student against another student, staff member, or faculty member (complaints that are academic in nature should be directed to the academic petitions committee). Students wishing to file a complaint should contact the Dean of Students. Complaints should be submitted in writing and should contain the date of the incident, names of those involved, and a short description of what happened. Examples of the types of complaint handled by the grievance committee are harassment, sexual harassment, theft, abuse, failure to follow through on commitments by individuals or the college, and extreme interpersonal conflict. Any complaint brought to the committee that may be criminal in nature will also be referred to local authorities for investigation and possible prosecution. Upon review of issues related to complaints and/or incidents, the Student Grievance Committee will make a recommendation concerning disciplinary action. Examples of possible disciplinary action are expulsion from the college, probation, compensation, apologies, required counseling, or community service.

If students feel that their grievance was not fully heard or dealt with by the Student Grievance Committee, they may appeal to the President of The King’s College. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the President’s Office within five business days of the Student Grievance Committee’s decision.

The Student Grievance Committee is comprised of the Dean of Students (chair), the Academic Dean, a Faculty Representative, and two student representatives. Student representatives are selected by the student government and each member serves on the committee for one year.

B. Student Disciplinary Committee
The Student Disciplinary Committee is charged with the responsibility of upholding the high moral and ethical standards of The King’s College. A commitment to high ethical and moral standards is required of all students, staff, and faculty at The King’s College. The Student Disciplinary Committee is the judicial body that handles cases regarding academic dishonesty (cheating and plagiarism), ethical issues, behavioral issues, failure to maintain community standards, classroom disciplinary issues, and serious discipline issues occurring in the residence hall. Minor infractions and first offenses are typically handled by designated faculty or college staff.

The Student Disciplinary Committee is comprised of the Dean of Students (co-chair), the Academic Dean (co-chair), a faculty representative, the Director of Residence Life, and two student representatives. Student representatives are selected by the student government and each member serves on the committee for one year.

As mentioned above, minor disciplinary infractions are typically not heard by the Student Disciplinary Committee. The committee generally hears cases that are deemed serious in nature, that involve new precedents for the college. The committee also hears student appeals. When a student case is to be heard by the disciplinary committee, the following process is used:

1. The student is notified in writing of the charges pending against him.

2. The student meets with the Dean of Students to discuss the charges

a. The student will have the chance to respond to the charges at this time.

b. The student will have the disciplinary process explained to him and be given the right to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to defend himself.

3. The Disciplinary Committee will meet to discuss the charges against the student and to assign disciplinary action if warranted. The student will be given the chance to defend himself at this time.

4. The student will be notified in writing of the decision of the committee and any related disciplinary action being taken against him.

Appeal Procedures
If you would like to submit an appeal about a disciplinary decision, it must be done within five business days according to the following guidelines:

1. Sanctions must be followed while an appeal is pending

2. Decisions made by a Resident Assistant will be appealed to the Director of Residence Life. Decisions made by the Director or Residence Life will be appealed to the Disciplinary committee. Decisions made by the disciplinary committee will be appealed to the president. The president’s decision is final.

3. Appeals must be in writing and must clearly outline why the disciplinary action is deemed unfair. Appeals should be submitted to the Dean of Student’s Office.