The symbolic difference between discipline and support at North Greenville University
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Carolyn Christopher, Staff Writer
Even at a college grounded in Christian principles, disciplinary procedures and support is important for a student body. Campus Ministries and Student Engagement (CMSE) works to aid students and uphold the values of the university.
There are certain expectations set forth by North Greenville University, and not fulfilling those standards can result in consequences. NGU values consequences over punishments to continue to guide students in the conduction of their lives.
Students, faculty and staff at NGU are unpermitted to consume any kind of alcoholic beverage or smoking substance. There are currently no existing guidelines pertaining to PDA outlined in the student handbook.
Kylie Kuykendall, director of student support and accountability, believes disciplinary consequences are enacted to aid students rather than harm them.
She said, “It’s actually a grace and a blessing to the student body.”
Kuykendall’s vision for NGU is to provide students with an experience of walking on the path of the Gospel. She believes CMSE is tasked with guiding students along that path, especially while rectifying mistakes they may have made.
“One of the things we believe very strongly in is this idea of our discipline and the process of our discipline. Accountability is meant to reflect what we see as the good news of scripture,” said Kuykendall.
An ideal held by CMSE is the difference between support and discipline.
“The person that determines whether a case that I’m dealing with is a report case or a discipline case is the student,” said Kuykendall.
CMSE observes an amnesty policy based on self-reporting. Reporting a personal infraction, expressing personal concern or asking questions is important when you recognize you fall short of the standard. This policy is important because it allows for assistance rather than harsh discipline.
CMSE works to differentiate from a black and white perspective, shying away from quick resolution-making and making careful considerations for each student.
“One of the things that we strive to protect is the sense of community. We do so in a way that we try to protect the dignity and the integrity of the person that is accused, as well,” said Kuykendall.
There are certain processes gone about when a concern, suspicion or infraction takes place. It begins with a fact-finding process when the student(s) of concern are asked questions, and the entirety of the situation is assessed.
Based on the facts gathered, the following steps are determined based on factors pertaining to the student’s case.
“Our goal is to take the different variables into account and give an equitable consequence. That doesn’t mean an identical one,” Kuykendall said. “I think we can be equitable without being identical. I think that’s how we effect the most heart change, is in treating a person like the individual they are.”
CMSE will consider whether the event was self-reported, if the student is remorseful or not and if they understand the weight of their actions.
The student’s emotional and mental comprehension is as important to CMSE as their own proportional consideration from circumstance to circumstance.
Kuykendall said, “Variables are taken into consideration, and the disciplinary response varies based on the circumstances.”
In a severe disciplinary event, a student may be expelled or withdrawn from NGU. There is a significant difference between expulsion and disciplinary withdrawal.
The terms of those removals are considered based on the student themselves.
A disciplinary withdrawal sustains the ability for a student to re-join NGU at a later time. Although, if a student is expelled, they are not to be invited back.
The disciplinary procedures set in place by CMSE are meant to support students in their personal and Christian walks of life.
