Last updated on August 27, 2024
Wheaton College Student Handbook
Policies and Procedures
2024 – 2025
The mission of Wheaton College is to serve Jesus Christ and advance his kingdom through excellence in
liberal arts and graduate programs that educate the whole person to build the church and benefit society
worldwide. The College’s vision for Wheaton College graduates is that knowledge and reason, Christian
character, love, practical wisdom, and beloved community will be cultivated in them because of their
experiences in and out of the classroom.
The foundational commitments of the College include:
• Statement of Faith—what we believe
• Community Covenant—how we promise to live
• Christ at the Core—what we teach
• Life with God Together—how we grow
• Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment—how we practice Christian unity and kingdom
diversity
This handbook is provided as a practical guide for Wheaton College students* to live out their promise
to each other via the Wheaton College Community Covenant. If students agree to attend Wheaton
College, it should be with the full intention of living with integrity within the vision of holy living
articulated in the Community Covenant and the expectations articulated in the Student Handbook.
By virtue of enrolling in academic courses, participating in College-sponsored activities, and/or working
for the College, students accept responsibility for the expectations described in the Handbook. For
follow-up questions or for help locating information in this handbook, please ask for assistance from the
Student Development staff located in the Student Services building, Suite 218. You may also email
student.development@wheaton.edu or call 630-752-5941.
Policies listed here are either authored by Student Development or are institutional policies for which
Student Development has responsibility for communicating and/or enforcing. More information
regarding academic policies or financial policies can be found on their respective websites.
Students are expected to refrain from publicly (including on social media) advocating for beliefs and/or
behaviors clearly prohibited in the Community Covenant since students annually affirm its vision as a
life-giving aspect of their voluntary membership in the College community and because the Community
Covenant forms the foundation of the Student Handbook’s expectations. The College reserves the right
to meet with and/or act in response to behavior perceived as public student advocacy in opposition to
the Community Covenant. For answers to frequently asked questions about the Community Covenant,
click here.
If a student has a dissenting opinion regarding ways a College department and/or another member of
the community could be serving the campus more effectively, she/he is encouraged to discuss the
concern in person before publicly expressing such dissent.
Students who find it challenging to live with integrity within the Community Covenant’s vision and/or
the Student Handbook’s expectations are encouraged to talk with the Vice President for Student
Development, Dr. Paul Chelsen, or with any staff member in the Student Development Division.
*For the purpose of the Wheaton College Student Handbook, the term “student” includes: 1) a full-time
or part-time degree-seeking undergraduate enrolled in academic courses wherever such courses are
offered; 2) a degree-seeking undergraduate students not currently enrolled in academic courses but
living in a College-owned/rented property and/or working for the College in between semesters; 3) a
special non-degree-seeking undergraduate enrolled in academic courses wherever such courses are
offered; or 4) a Wheaton College pre-college program participant.
These policies also apply to graduate students as directed in the Graduate Student Handbook.
Contents
Athletics Policies and Procedures ................................................................................ 7
Athletic Eligibility Appeal Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 8
Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act ............................................................................................................................ 9
Gambling Activities (NCAA)..................................................................................................................................10
Participation – Medical Release Policy .................................................................................................................11
Student Athlete Handbook ......................................................................................................................................12
Compliance Statement ..............................................................................................................................................13
The Compliance Statement can be found here...................................................................................................13
Summary of NCAA Regulations – Division III...................................................................................................14
Sunday Competition Policy .....................................................................................................................................15
Varsity Student Athlete Class Attendance Policy ...............................................................................................16
Campus Safety Policies and Procedures .................................................................... 18
Active Threat Options Based Decisions ...............................................................................................................19
Bicycle, Electric Scooter, and Moped Policy .......................................................................................................20
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Policy ......................................................................................................................22
Fire Safety Policy ........................................................................................................................................................23
Missing Person Policy ...............................................................................................................................................24
No Contact Policy ......................................................................................................................................................25
Parking and Campus Vehicle Registration Policy ..............................................................................................26
Personal Safety Policy................................................................................................................................................27
Public Safety Policy ....................................................................................................................................................28
Recreational Fire Pit Guidelines .............................................................................................................................30
Tornado Safety Policy ...............................................................................................................................................33
Wheaton Police Department Expectations of Working with the College ....................................................34
Residence Life and Housing Policies ......................................................................... 35
Animals/Pets in Campus Housing .........................................................................................................................36
Appliances and Cooking Policy ..............................................................................................................................37
Building/Room Care Policy ....................................................................................................................................39
Campus Network Support .......................................................................................................................................41
Check-In/Check-Out Times ...................................................................................................................................42
Electronic Entertainment Policy.............................................................................................................................43
Entering Campus Housing .......................................................................................................................................44
Housing Assignment Process ..................................................................................................................................45
Laundry Policy ............................................................................................................................................................49
Meal Plans, Food Allergies, and Meal Accommodations .................................................................................50
Off-Campus Housing Agreement ..........................................................................................................................53
Overnight Guest Policy .............................................................................................................................................54
Quiet Hours Policy ....................................................................................................................................................55
Residence Hall Hours Policy ...................................................................................................................................56
Residential Policy .......................................................................................................................................................57
Room Assignment Changes Policy ........................................................................................................................58
Roommate Conflict Policy .......................................................................................................................................59
Storage Policy ..............................................................................................................................................................61
Work Requests Policy................................................................................................................................................62
Frequently Asked Questions About the Community Covenant ....................................................................63
Student Conduct Policies and Procedures ................................................................ 66
Academic Integrity Policy ........................................................................................................................................67
Alcohol- & Drug-Free Community Policy ...........................................................................................................71
Bias Incident Policy and Procedure .......................................................................................................................74
Bullying Policy .............................................................................................................................................................77
Contraband Items Policy ..........................................................................................................................................78
Dangerous Behavior Policy ......................................................................................................................................79
Disruptive Behavior Policy .......................................................................................................................................80
Drone Policy ................................................................................................................................................................81
Gambling Policy .........................................................................................................................................................82
Hazing Policy ...............................................................................................................................................................83
Malicious Behavior Policy ........................................................................................................................................89
Medical Amnesty Policy ...........................................................................................................................................90
Noncompliance Policy ..............................................................................................................................................91
Nondiscrimination Notice and Policy ..................................................................................................................92
Public Indecency Policy ............................................................................................................................................94
Publishing or Distributing Course Materials Policy ..........................................................................................95
Sexual Behavior Policy ..............................................................................................................................................96
Student Conduct Policy ............................................................................................................................................97
Technology Acceptable Use Policy .................................................................................................................... 111
Tobacco and Nicotine Policy ............................................................................................................................... 112
Violent Behavior Policy.......................................................................................................................................... 113
Visitation Policy ....................................................................................................................................................... 114
Weapons or Explosives Policy .............................................................................................................................. 116
Student Development Policies and Procedures ...................................................... 117
Birth Sex and Gender Identity .............................................................................................................................. 118
Dress Statement ....................................................................................................................................................... 120
An Ethic of Care to Prevent Stereotyping of Groups in Student Programming/Activities .................. 121
Parent Notification Policy ..................................................................................................................................... 123
Responding to External Agency Requests ......................................................................................................... 125
Student Educational Records Policy .................................................................................................................. 127
Student Publications Policy .................................................................................................................................. 128
Policy on Travel with Students ............................................................................................................................ 129
Student Engagement Policies and Procedures ........................................................ 132
Policy on Artistic Expression of the Human Body .......................................................................................... 133
Campus Promotion Policy .................................................................................................................................... 135
Campus-Wide Email Policy for Recognized Student Groups ...................................................................... 140
Chapel Attendance Policy ..................................................................................................................................... 141
Citizen/Voter Registration/Jury Duty Policy .................................................................................................. 145
Club Advisors Policy............................................................................................................................................... 146
Club Finances Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 147
General Fundraising Policies ................................................................................................................................ 148
Latex Balloons Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 150
Lost and Found Policy ........................................................................................................................................... 151
Observation of Communion ................................................................................................................................ 152
Political Involvement and Campaign Activity Policy ..................................................................................... 153
Policy on Public Display of Art Related to Language ..................................................................................... 155
Sales Policy ................................................................................................................................................................ 156
Scheduling Events on the College Calendar ..................................................................................................... 157
Senior Bench Activity Guidelines ........................................................................................................................ 158
Social Dancing and Dance Event Guidelines ................................................................................................... 160
Speech, Public Expression, and Public Assembly Policy ............................................................................... 163
Student Involvement Programming Guide....................................................................................................... 167
Sunday Activities Policy ......................................................................................................................................... 168
Tower Bell Ringing Policy ..................................................................................................................................... 169
Visiting Speaker Policy & Procedures for Recognized Student Groups .................................................... 170
Student Wellness Policies and Procedures .............................................................. 174
Class Attendance and Excused Absence Policy ............................................................................................... 175
Communicable Disease and Immunization Policy ......................................................................................... 177
Health & Wellness Fee Policy .............................................................................................................................. 179
Immunization Exemption Policy ......................................................................................................................... 181
Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy.................................................................................................................. 182
Leave of Absence Policy for Undergraduate & Graduate Students ............................................................ 186
Medical Records Release Forms .......................................................................................................................... 197
Patient Privacy and Confidentiality .................................................................................................................... 198
Post-Hospitalization for Mental Health Concerns Policy ............................................................................ 199
Pregnancy Resources .............................................................................................................................................. 202
Service and Assistance Animal Policy ................................................................................................................. 210
Academic Grievance Procedure ........................................................................................................................... 215
Non-Academic Grievance Procedure................................................................................................................. 217
Student Wellness Appeal for Academically Dismissed Students ................................................................. 219
Student Appeal of Academically Dismissed - Office Use Only .................................................................... 223
Withdrawal or Cancel Enrollment Procedures ................................................................................................ 224
Athletics Policies and Procedures
Athletic Eligibility Appeal Procedure
Once a coaching staff member communicates a decision to dismiss a student-athlete from the team for a
non-academic reason that decision may be appealed if the criteria below is met. This policy only
addresses independent decisions made by coaching staff. Other student conduct policies can also impact
athletic participation; appeals related to a violation of a student conduct policy should be made under
the Student Conduct Policy. Any appeal must be submitted in writing to the Athletic Director within
five (5) business days of the coach’s decision and must set forth the specific grounds for the appeal.
A request for an appeal must be based on one or more of the following criteria to be considered:
1. A procedural or substantive error occurred in the athletic eligibility decision that significantly
impacted the outcome of the decision (e.g., bias or material deviation from established
procedures).
2. To consider new evidence unavailable at the time of the athletic eligibility decision that could
have substantially impacted the original finding or sanction. A summary of this new evidence
and its potential impact must be included in the appeal.
3. The sanctions imposed are grossly disproportionate (i.e., excessively harsh or excessively
lenient) given the offense or the cumulative conduct record of the responding student or
employee.
Any information included in the appeal that does not apply to the above three reasons for filing an
appeal will not be considered in the appeal process.
The Athletic Director will collaborate with another Student Development Dean (either the Dean of
Residence Life, Dean of Student Wellness, or Dean for Student Engagement), and together render a
written decision on the appeal based on the materials provided by the student as well as information
provided by the members of the coaching staff. All appeals will be heard by the Athletic Director and
Student Development Dean.
After reading the appeal letter, meeting with the student and separately with coaches, the Athletic
Director and Student Development Dean will make a decision within 10 business days of receiving the
appeal and any related information, unless a determination is made that more time is necessary. If more
time is needed, the student will be notified. The decision by the Athletic Director and Student
Development Dean will be final and not subject to further appeal.
Students may be accompanied to the meeting with the Athletic Director and/or Student Development
Dean by one non-attorney advisor, who may participate for the sole purpose of giving advice or
assistance to the student; the advisor shall not participate directly or speak to the Athletic Director
and/or Dean on behalf of the student.
For NCAA eligibility appeals, a process is set forth by the NCAA. Wheaton College’s Compliance
Officer can aid in the process and help determine if/when an appeal to the NCAA should occur.
All Wheaton College academic eligibility appeals should be referred to the Wheaton College Registrar.
Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act
The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires co-educational institutions of postsecondary education
that participate in a Title IV federal student financial assistance program and have an intercollegiate
athletic program, to prepare an annual report to the Department of Education on athletic participation,
staffing, and revenues and expenses, by men's and women's teams. The U.S. Department of Education
uses this information to prepare its required reports to the U.S. Congress on gender equity in
intercollegiate athletics. Information regarding the Wheaton College intercollegiate athletics program as
well as a copy of Wheaton’s current EADA report can be found here.
Wheaton College prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in all of its programs, including
athletics. Questions, concerns, or complaints related to this policy should be directed to the Dean of
Student Care and Graduate Student Life who serves as the College’s Title IX Coordinator for students.
Gambling Activities (NCAA)
Staff members of the Athletics Department and student-athletes shall not knowingly:
a. Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning
intercollegiate athletics competition;
b. Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
c. Accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
d. Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g. cash, shirt, dinner)
that has tangible value; or
a. Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional
athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card, or any other method employed by organized
gambling.
A copy of the Gambling Statement from the NCAA Division III Manual including sanctions for
violations and the appeal process is available at the Athletics office in the Chrouser Sports Complex.
Sunday Competition Policy
No varsity athletic or club team practices or competitions are permitted on Sundays. This prohibition
includes the rescheduling of games due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances
whether at home, or on the road. Other activities prohibited on Sundays include team banquets,
department/team sponsored study halls, and other required team activities.
Students are allowed to participate in curricular related competitions related to an academic department
that on occasion may only occur on Sundays with the understanding that every effort will be made to
participate in a local church worship service or to organize worship at the site of the professional activity.
Varsity Student Athlete Class Attendance Policy
Regular in-person class attendance is expected of all students, except as noted below. When attendance
is voluntary, it is with the understanding that students are responsible for all course material in each of
their classes.
A professor may limit the number of allowed absences in a course for all students due to the subject
matter and purpose of the course. The course syllabus should clearly state in-person attendance
expectations.
The professor may excuse legitimate absences. It is the student's responsibility to report such excuses to
the professor in writing. Verification of legitimate excuses may be sought by the professor from
appropriate sources. Excused absences will count toward the total number of absences in any course.
If a student athlete misses class due to participation in a school-sanctioned varsity athletics competition,
the student shall not be penalized in grading and should be allowed to take quizzes, tests, and other
modes of assessment at alternative times in consultation with their instructor. Student athletes are still
required to fulfill their academic responsibilities in the course. Moreover, student athletes should be
aware that, while penalties shall not be assessed, absences or missed work may have natural
consequences that hinder academic performance in the course.
Appendix D Table of Responsibilities for Absences Due to Athletic Competitions
Athletics
Responsibilities
Student Athlete (SA)
Responsibilities
Faculty Responsibilities
Give SA competition
schedule for the
upcoming term before
registration with course
selection guidelines.
When pre-registering for classes, SA
should schedule courses to minimize
missed class time due to approved
athletic competitions. This may
require extra time with an academic
advisor to plan the course schedule.
Faculty will provide a course syllabus that
clearly outlines the attendance policy,
assignment schedule, and assessment
policies.
Produce letters with
competition schedule
for SA to bring to all
instructors. Letters
include coach contact
information for faculty
use.
Provide a letter and competition
schedule to faculty during the first
week of classes. If this initial schedule
shows SA will miss more than 15% of
class sessions, SA must meet with the
instructor to discuss the impact of
absences on course work. After this
consultation, SA may be required to
revise his/her class schedule to ensure
the student’s academic responsibilities
and competition schedule are not
incompatible.
SA who has met the stipulated
responsibilities of this policy should not
be penalized in grading or class
attendance policies for absences
necessitated by approved athletic
competitions. SA should be allowed to
take quizzes, tests, or other assessments at
alternative times in consultation with
their instructor. Faculty may set a time
limit or drop policy for making up tests,
quizzes, and/or presentations.
Make every effort to
convey changes in
schedule to SA to bring
to instructors in a timely
manner.
Deliver letter to instructors at the
beginning of term showing anticipated
absences due to competition schedule
and provide updates to faculty of any
schedule changes in advance of class
absences.
Participate in Mid-term At-risk grade
reporting for full term classes.
Maintain an updated
database that includes
SA names, team
affiliation, dates of
competition, and team
contact for faculty to
consult each semester.
SA is responsible for communicating
with professor the week before any
anticipated absence to set a plan for
making up any test, quiz or
presentation missed for competition.
Be aware that coaches welcome
collaboration with faculty who know that
a SA is struggling to keep up with or not
attending class.
Attend classes at all other times.
Students are not permitted to miss
class for practices, athletic training
room visits or team meetings.
With their instructor’s permission, an SA
may occasionally be allowed to attend a
different section of a course, lab, or studio
with multiple sections to reduce absences
during the semester.
Campus Safety Policies and Procedures
Active Threat Options Based Decisions
After the April 20, 1999, Columbine High School shooting in Colorado, a law enforcement officer
named Greg Crane created the A.L.I.C.E. training program out of his desire to equip people with a
better plan in case of an active threat event. It has become the accepted training response framework in
the United States. The Wheaton Police Department recommends that all Wheaton area schools,
businesses, and public services provide A.L.I.C.E training to its constituents to prepare for an active
threat. Wheaton College will provide both in-person and online options for this training.
A.L.I.C.E. is a program that trains people to know their options if an active threat is encountered. The
A.L.I.C.E. option(s) utilized in an emergency should match the situation; the options are not sequential
steps.
A.L.I.C.E. Definitions and Descriptions
Alert - The first notification of danger.
Lockdown - Barricade the room. Prepare to evacuate or counter if needed.
Inform - Communicate the violent intruder’s location and direction in real time to people nearby
and to 911.
Counter - Create noise, movement, distance, and distraction if near someone who is presenting as an
active threat. Counter is NOT fighting.
Evacuate - When safe to do so, run from the danger zone to a location communicated by Public
Safety via an emergency cell phone message.
Follow up questions may be directed to Wheaton College Public Safety, 630.752.5911,
[email protected] or Wheaton Police Department, 630.260.2161, police@wheaton.il.us.
Adapted with permission from the Wheaton Police Department, 900 West Liberty Drive, Wheaton, IL
60187.
Bicycle, Electric Scooter, and Moped Policy
Bicycles must be stored in racks outside campus buildings or in specific indoor storage areas within the
residence halls or apartments. Indoor bike storage is limited. Residence Hall occupants will store their
bikes in the indoor storage rooms provided. Individuals who have very expensive bikes may request to
store their bikes in their rooms by talking to a senior staff member in their residence hall. Residents
living in the apartments and houses have both exterior and some have interior storage areas. Residents
with expensive bikes are permitted to store their bikes in their rooms or basement areas but are not
permitted to store them in hallways or stairwells. Students are responsible for any damage caused by
bringing their bike indoors. It is recommended that bicycles be registered with the Wheaton Police
Department. Students are strongly encouraged to lock (U locks are recommend) their bikes when
unattended. Bikes locked to handrails and trees around campus will be cut off by Public Safety to
provide access and safety for the campus community. Bikes abandoned on indoor or outdoor racks for
consecutive years will be removed and donated.
Electric Scooter/E-Scooter owners should exercise care and reasonable caution when riding around
campus to prevent injury to self or others. E-scooters should never be ridden inside any campus building
or facility. Reckless operation whereby the rider upholds no concern for the safety of others, constitutes
a violation of his policy and student will lose their scooter privileges for the remainder of the year.
Riders should:
a. Yield to pedestrians and individuals;
b. Pass only when it is safe to do so and pass to the left when passing any other user on the same
surface; and
c. Shall avoid heavy pedestrian environments that overflow sidewalks (e.g., large events and class
changes); and
d. Students must be present and actively monitoring when scooters are being charged due to fire
hazards. All batteries should be UL certified; and
e. Students are encouraged to register their scooters with Public Safety for identification purposes.
Parking: E-scooters should only be parked in designated bicycle racks or be stored in the owner’s room
or apartment. Scooters locked to benches, light poles, signposts, railings, stairwells or trees will be
confiscated. Additionally, scooters parked in entryways (i.e., dining hall, Edman Chapel, Chrouser),
building hallways, or are interfering with access to or use of campus spaces will be confiscated by Public
Safety. Students will be fined $30 to have their scooter returned.
*Motorcycles/mopeds/motor scooters are subject to the same regulations as other motor vehicles and
may not be driven on the sidewalk or grass. Motor scooters, mopeds or motorcycles may not be stored in
student residences under any circumstances. Mopeds/Scooters are considered motorcycles on Wheaton
College campus and thus need to be ridden in accordance of the Rules of the Road and parked in
designated areas. Definition of a moped/motor scooter is a motorized vehicle under 50cc. Any vehicle
over 50cc is considered a motorcycle and must be parked in a spot designated for motorcycles. Mopeds
and motorized scooters are required to be registered with Public Safety. Failure to follow their guidelines
will result in being ticketed.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Policy
Campus apartments and houses are equipped with carbon monoxide detectors as required by law and
must remain connected at all times. Disconnected carbon monoxide detectors will result in a $50 fine for
each resident in the living unit. Tampering with a carbon monoxide detector constitutes a Class 4 state
felony. The College may take disciplinary action, and legal action may be pursued by the Wheaton Police
Department. Malfunctioning carbon monoxide detectors should be reported at once to Public Safety
(630-752-5911) 24 hours-a-day.
Fire Safety Policy
All campus buildings are equipped with fire safety and life safety equipment (e.g., smoke detectors,
sprinkler systems, fire alarm signaling devices, fire extinguishers, illuminated exit signs, emergency
escape lighting, and automated external defibrillators). This equipment has been placed in campus
buildings for the safety of the community.
Falsely activating a fire alarm, or tampering with a security, fire, or life safety system is a class 4 felony
under the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/17-11.5 & 5/26-1). Students who violate these laws will
face disciplinary action that may range from a minimum $100 fine, to expulsion, depending on the
nature of the situation. Legal action, and City of Wheaton fines up to $500, may be additionally pursued
by the City of Wheaton Police.
Students who do not cooperate in evacuating a building when a fire alarm is sounded (including fire
drills) will be subject to disciplinary action and a $75 fine.
All students share in the responsibility for maintaining fire safety on campus by:
• Keeping fire escape routes clear of obstructions (e.g., not storing personal items in hallways or
stairwells);
• Keeping fire doors closed (e.g., not propping open doors that are intended to be closed);
• Minimizing the storage of empty boxes;
• Refraining from using combustible decorative materials including straw, corn stalks, live
Christmas trees, or decorations made of paper, cloth, or organic materials; and
• Keeping furniture and stored items at least 18” below any sprinkler head.
Students who notice any fire hazard or life safety hazard (a missing fire extinguisher, a fire system or life
safety system that has been tampered with, etc.) are asked to report this to Public Safety immediately at
630-752-5911.
Playing sports indoors is prohibited. Indoor sporting activities can easily set off a fire alarm and may
cause the sprinkler system to activate. Students who activate the fire alarm as a result of sporting
activities will face a minimum $100 fine, possible City of Wheaton fines, and will be held liable for any
damages that is caused to the building (e.g., water damage from a sprinkler head discharge).
Combustible and flammable liquids are not permitted in student dwellings, including storage areas. Due
to the risk of fire, students are additionally prohibited from burning candles or incense, or using any
device that produces an ember or open flame.
To ensure a high standard of quality for our indoor environment, Wheaton College maintains a smoke-
free campus and complies with State and City smoking ordinances.
Missing Person Policy
Wheaton College recognizes the importance of safety for each member of our community. If a member
of the College community has reason to believe that a student who resides in on-campus housing is
missing, he or she should immediately notify Wheaton College Public Safety (WCPS) at 630-752-5911.
WCPS will generate a missing person report and initiate a thorough investigation.
After investigating the missing person report, should WCPS determine that the student is missing and
has been missing for more than 24 hours, Wheaton College will notify the Wheaton Police Department
and the student’s emergency contact no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be
missing. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, Wheaton
College will notify the student’s parents or legal guardian immediately after WCPS has determined that
the student has been missing for more than 24 hours.
Wheaton College will have each new student provide emergency contact information on a voluntary
basis. In addition to registering an emergency contact, students residing in on-campus housing have the
option to identify confidentially an individual to be contacted by Wheaton College in the event the
student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. If a student has identified such an
individual, Wheaton College will notify that individual no later than 24 hours after the student is
determined to be missing. Students who wish to identify a confidential contact or update their
information can do so by notifying the Residence Life Office at [email protected]. A
designation will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student during his or her tenure at the
College.
No Contact Policy
The College reserves the right to issue a “no contact” order between two or more students in response to
alleged disruptive, violent, aggressive, threatening, harassing and/or discriminatory contact and/or in
response to a violation of College policy. A “no contact” order may be issued for an interim period of
time or until a student graduates from the College. A “no contact” order typically includes, but is not
limited to: 1) initiating any contact in person in any location on or off campus; 2) initiating any
electronic contact (e.g. e-mails, phone calls, text messages, social networking site messages, blog
comments, etc.); 3) initiating any indirect contact (e.g. leaving a note); and/or 4) others acting on
behalf of the students who were issued the “no contact” order to initiate contact in person, indirectly,
and/or electronically.
A “no contact” order will typically be in effect for both the initiating student and the recipient unless and
until there has been a finding of a violation of College policy, in which case the no contact order will
typically only apply to any student who is found to have committed the policy violation. A “no contact”
order communicates the expectation that if a student who is subject to a “no contact” order comes into
contact with any other student who is covered by the terms of the “no contact” order, the student(s) will
respect the other student’s/students’ space and not remain in the same location. The College reserves
the right to issue more specific instructions or directives.
Violating a “no contact” order, as well as any type of retaliation, intimidation, manipulation, or other
conduct that is inconsistent with College policy, will result in a conduct investigation being initiated and
may result in disciplinary action. The Noncompliance Policy and the Student Conduct Policy are
described in the Student Handbook. Nothing in this policy is intended to limit the College's ability to
address matters that are subject to the Nondiscrimination Policies.
Parking and Campus Vehicle Registration Policy
All students, including those commuting, regardless of number of hours enrolled are required to register
any vehicles they operate or park on Wheaton College property. Freshman students are not permitted to
maintain or park a motor vehicle on campus. This policy is in place due to limited parking spaces on
campus and the College’s desire for freshmen to get connected to their floor communities. Questions
about parking policies can be directed to the Parking Office email, [email protected].
All vehicles must be parked in a marked parking space. Main campus parking areas are designated for
three general uses: resident students, commuting students, and employees. Registered vehicles are
permitted to park in the lot indicated by their permit. There is no overnight parking on city streets, or in
any W or W/C lots from 2 am – 6 am.
Vehicle registration begins online the second week of July according to year in school and is on a first
come, first served basis. Permits will be sent via CPO. Vehicles not registered during the first week of
classes must be registered within three business days of their arrival on campus. To obtain a Wheaton
College permit, proof of current liability insurance as required by state law and proof of current valid
state registration (license plates) must be submitted. Further information about parking, fines, and
policies can be found on the Wheaton College Parking Regulations website.
Personal Safety Policy
Public Safety officers are available for escorts during hours of darkness, or anytime a student does not
feel safe walking alone. It is important to remember that Public Safety has limited resources and cannot
always be counted on to give an escort in a timely manner. If the officers are on another call, there may
be a delayed response. Therefore, students are encouraged to do their best to secure a ride from a friend
or another source before calling Public Safety as a last resort. Students may request an escort by calling
630-752-5911.
There are special security doors leading into most living areas in the residence halls. Students place the
safety of others at risk if they carelessly prop open security or outside doors. Tampering with any access
control component which locks and unlocks exterior and interior entrance/exits is considered a class 4
state felony and may lead to disciplinary action by Wheaton College and the Wheaton Police
Department. Malfunctioning access control doors should be reported at once to Public Safety (630-752-
5911) 24 hours-a-day. Window screens must remain on at all times to prevent items from being thrown
out. Window screens that are removed will result in a $50 fine.
Public Safety Policy
Patrol and Emergency Services
Wheaton College Public Safety (located at Chase Service Center) is an agency dedicated to the
protection of life and property and to the prevention of crime, fire, and accidents. Uniformed officers are
on duty 24 hours-a-day patrolling campus buildings, streets and parking lots. Public Safety serves to
protect the College’s students, employees, and property, checking for suspicious circumstances and
safety hazards. Officers will respond immediately to any report of crime, fire or major medical
emergency. Officers also issue notices to appropriate personnel when unsafe conditions exist. In an
emergency, students should call 630-752-5911 immediately (24 hours-a-day), providing their
name, location, and the nature of the incident. Students should stay on the phone until the dispatcher
completes the call.
Students are expected to respond appropriately to Public Safety Officers and display their student
I.D. when requested. Any student who fails to cooperate with or show proper respect to a Public Safety
Officer will be subject to disciplinary action. Students found harassing Public Safety Officers, their
vehicles or equipment (i.e. pranking, water ballooning, egging, or throwing snowballs, etc.) will be fined
up to $500.00 and be subject to disciplinary action and possible dismissal. Harassing and assaulting an
Officer constitutes a crime and can carry severe consequences. We ask that students respect and care for
the men and women who are working to protect and care for the Wheaton College Community.
Students are not allowed to camp or sleep outdoors on Wheaton College’s campus property in Wheaton
Illinois. Students found in locked College-owned buildings after-hours (or during break periods) will be
fined $50. Unauthorized entry into any construction area may result in a $500 fine. Construction areas
are as (or more) dangerous than roofs. Students found on roofs of College facilities or residences may be
fined $500.
Officers have the legal right under specific circumstances to detain suspicious people (students or non-
students) and take measures to insure the officer’s personal safety. This may include “pat-down” of the
subject’s outer clothing to check for weapons and/or a request for the subject to empty his or her
pockets, back-pack or other items used to carry personal property. Officers may also make cursory
searches of vehicles during interaction with drivers and/or passengers. Evidence or contraband
discovered during the above investigations may result in disciplinary action (see Search and Seizure,
below) against subject(s) on a college, state, or federal level.
Search and Seizure
The College recognizes students’ desire for privacy in their rooms and living areas and intends to
provide, when the College deems it appropriate, advance notice before staff or employees enter. (For
example, personnel entering for routine maintenance purposes are required to knock and announce
their presence before entering.) However, the College reserves the right to enter and search College-
owned buildings and residences (including residence hall rooms, apartments and houses), without
advance notice or other limitations,
1) To inspect the premises;
2) For maintenance purposes;
3) To investigate health concerns, safety issues, suspicious behavior or circumstances, illegal
activity, or violation of College policies—including the Community Covenant;
4) To maintain order, and
5) For any other legitimate reason.
Any item declared contraband by the State of Illinois or by the United States Government (including
drugs, drug paraphernalia, burglary tools, and illegal weapons) that is discovered on campus, shall be
seized by Wheaton College Public Safety. We reserve the right to hand confiscated items over to the
Wheaton Police Department. Anything in plain view that is contrary to the College’s standards
discovered by College personnel will be reported to Student Development. If an officer observes a
Wheaton College student in possession of any item that is not illegal contraband but is contrary to
community standards (such as alcohol, drug paraphernalia, firecrackers, or water-balloon launchers), the
item may be seized and inventoried, but in any case, notice shall be given to a Student Development
Dean. The College reserves the right to dispose of any seized contraband or items contrary to
community standards.
Recreational Fire Pit Guidelines
Recreational fires on campus for small groups or other social gatherings are only allowed at approved
locations as noted on the campus map below: Keul Patio (1), MSC (2), BGH (3), Campus Houses (4),
Fischer Hall (5), and Smith-Traber Hall (6).
Keul Patio Fire Table (1), MSC (2), and BGH (3) Reservations
Students can reserve one of the two Keul Patio fire tables or the MSC and BGH location through the
Portal located in the undergraduate section> Help and Resources> Fire Table Reservations.
Campus Houses (4), Fischer Hall (5), Smith-Traber Hall (6) Fire Pit Reservations
Students or organizations can reserve a fire pit near Smith-Traber Hall or Fischer Hall on a first come
first serve basis when the front desk opens at 7pm. The campus house fire pit is reserved by emailing the
residence director for the apartments and houses.
Keul Patio Fire Table Guidelines
• Inspect fire table lava rock area – Prior to igniting please inspect the lava rock area and remove
any leaves, trash or other debris from the area.
• To tun on the fire table – Turn the timer switch located on the south side of the fire table walls
for both the circular and rectangular tables. This will start the fire for a 1-hour duration.
• Items are not to be placed in the fire or on the lava rock at any time.
• No standing sitting or putting weight on the lava rock area of the fire table.
• Sit a safe distance away from the flames, be aware that the flames will blow from side to side on a
windy day.
• No cooking/roasting food (marshmallows, hot dogs, etc.) with the fire tables.
• Do not press the Emergency Stop Button unless there is an Emergency requiring the table to be
shutoff. It will shutoff automatically after 1 hour.
• Do not try to turn back the times as it will damage the switch.
• Lava rock will be very hot after fire has been in operation.
Fire Pit Guidelines
All approved recreational fires must adhere to the following guidelines (failure to abide by these
guidelines will result in a fine for the person organizing the fire pit or forfeiting future permission to use a
fire pit):
• The fire must be fully contained in a College-owned fire pit. No fire may be built directly on the
ground, or on any other surface. Personally owned fire pits may not be used by students on the
College campus.
• The fire pit must stay in its approved location and cannot be closer than 30’ from any campus
building or parking lot.
• The group using the fire pit is responsible for extinguishing the fire.
• The fire pit must remain attended at all times while the fire is burning, and throughout this time
the water must remain within reach in case of an emergency.
• When the event is over the remnants of burning wood and coals must be thoroughly drenched
with water. When drenching the fire, apply enough water to ensure that all of the embers have
been extinguished.
• Due to the risk of fire, coals and remnants of burnt wood may not be placed in a College
dumpster until they are fully extinguished.
• Burn only dry seasoned wood or quick-starting logs designed for use in campfires or fireplaces.
Students will need to purchase their own wood as the College does not supply firewood.
• Never burn treated wood, construction lumber, or any material that can pose an environmental
or health hazard (e.g., plastic, Styrofoam, oil, or rubber).
• Never burn any paper products or cardboard or other combustible trash as these materials burn
too hot and generate too much ash.
• Never break or destroy trees, shrubs, bushes, or landscaping on campus to use for firewood or
fuel.
• Unused wood may be stacked neatly next to the fire pit.
Exercise extreme care and proper judgment at all times. Recreational fires are a wonderful privilege, but
also pose a risk to campus property and personal safety when not properly maintained.
Tornado Safety Policy
Definitions
Tornado Watch
Conditions are right for the development of tornadoes.
Tornado Warning
This condition indicates that a tornado or funnel cloud has been sighted. A tornado warning will be
announced through Wheaton’s Emergency Notification System, the local media, a t sounding of the City
of Wheaton tornado sirens, and/or through a residence life or housing staff member.
Response Procedures
Students advised of a tornado warning should
1) Move immediately to the center of the lowest level of their building;
2) Stay inside, away from windows;
3) Seek cover under stable structures (heavy furniture, etc.);
4) Use coats, blankets, etc., for extra protection in case of flying glass, etc., and keep their faces
down as much as possible; and
5) Not evacuate a building, as it is safer inside. Students caught outside away from a building
should seek out a ditch or low ground and lie face down. (Note: Do not seek refuge in a motor
vehicle.)
Residence Life and Housing Policies
Animals/Pets in Campus Housing
Campus Housing is not designed to provide the proper environment for small vertebrate or invertebrate
pets. To keep any vertebrate mammal, amphibian, arachnid, or reptile (other than fish in a standard 10-
gallon aquarium) in campus housing is not only unfair to the animal but also illegal. Because of health
sanitation and safety, all use or husbandry (with the exception of fish) is not permitted on College
property (including, but not limited to, student housing). The only exception to this policy is in cases
where a student has received approval from the Learning and Accessibility Services Office, which is
located in the Student Services Building. As an academic institution, Wheaton College must follow the
policies established by the Animal Welfare Act (United States Department of Agriculture). These
policies require the Wheaton College Animal Care and Use Committee to review and approve any
animal care and use (including pranks) on campus. Students found in violation of this policy will receive
a minimum fine of $50 with further disciplinary action depending on the nature of the situation, the care
given to the animal, and/or the impact on the community.
Appliances and Cooking Policy
Window air conditioners and portable dishwashers are not permitted in student housing. Space heaters,
toasters, microwave ovens, air fryers, and toaster ovens are not permitted in residence hall rooms due to
the possibility or circuit overload and other fire safety concerns. Students may use other small appliances
as long as they are Underwriters' Laboratory approved, they do not individually exceed 4 AMPS/480
Watts, 60 HZ, and 110/115/120 Volts, or cumulatively exceed 8 AMPS. If total ampere demand in
residence hall rooms should exceed 8 AMPS, the installation must be inspected by a facilities
management electrician.
Appliances that are capable of causing intense heat (e.g., sun lamps, infra-red lights, lamps that use
halogen bulbs), that have a visible glowing heating element (e.g., certain space heaters), or employ an
open flame are considered a fire hazard and may not be used in student dwellings.
Examples of appliances that may be used include hot air popcorn poppers, coffee pots, simmer pots,
tart/candle warmers and potpourri warmers providing that such warmers do not use and open flame.
These appliances do heat, but with normal use they are not capable of causing a fire.
Students are permitted to use cold-water humidifiers in their rooms. Hot-water humidifiers should not
be used as they often set off fire alarms.
Cooking meals in student rooms is prohibited. Each residence hall is equipped with a kitchen, which
includes at least one oven/stove, microwave, refrigerator, and minimal cooking utensils.
Students are permitted to use small grills outside their residences providing that the following conditions
are met:
• The grill may only be used in a location that is approved by Facilities Management and
Residence Life. These locations should be at least 30 feet from any campus building or cars.
• If charcoal grills are used, the briquettes must be started without use of charcoal lighter fluid, as
this flammable liquid cannot be stored in any campus building. Students may use a charcoal
chimney starter, provided that the starter is placed inside the grill when lit.
• After grilling, students must leave the grill in place (30 feet from any campus building or cars)
until the risk of fire is eliminated. Before the grill is returned to storage, the hot coals must be
extinguished, either by allowing them to sit in place for 48 hours, or by completely submerging
the coals in water for 10 minutes. Extinguished coals must be disposed of in an outside metal
dumpster.
• Students should keep their grills in unobtrusive locations to maintain a clean appearance of the
apartment buildings. Students found in violation will have their grilling privileges revoked and
will be asked to take their grill home.
Student-owned refrigerators are permitted only on a space available basis, must not exceed four cubic
feet in size, and must meet the above electrical specifications. Summer storage of refrigerators is
permitted only as space allows.
Computers and certain other electronic equipment can be damaged by lightning strikes, power outages,
and voltage surges that are common in the Wheaton area. Students who desire to protect their
computers and other electronic devices from power surges should bring and use their own surge
protectors.
Students are responsible for the removal and disposal of any television or refrigerator that they bring to
campus. Wheaton College will assist students with the proper disposal of any other appliance or
electronic device. Disposal of TV’s and refrigerators will be charged to the student.
Building/Room Care Policy
Providing and maintain campus housing facilities is a team effort. The College works diligently to
provide respectable housing accommodations and provide any maintenance and repairs needed
throughout the year and it is the student’s responsibility to care for the space they live in. Students who
fail to comply with the housing rules and regulations listed in the Student Handbook, residence hall
manuals, or communicated during mandatory floor/apartment meetings can expect to receive a
consequence as described by the policy or fined for the violation.
Students are encouraged to personalize their housing space to make it feel like home. At the same time,
residents are expected to accept the responsibility for the maintenance of their rooms as well as for
damages and replacements. Special care should be taken for painted walls. Small nails are allowed in
campus housing except in Fischer and Smith-Traber; white plastic adhesive (i.e., sticky tack) and 3M
hooks are the only authorized adhesive for walls and ceilings. Students who choose to use 3M fasteners
are still responsible for damage that is caused from their removal. Students will be fined for any hooks or
hangers left on their walls. Damage is often caused when not removed properly or when pull tabs are cut
off. Plastic hooks with double sided tape are not allowed (this applies to posters, borders, LED light
strips, and all other decorative items). Students are not permitted to mount items on walls or ceilings
that require the use of large nails, anchors and/or screws. Those in upper-class halls and apartments
should have no more than 10 nail holes per wall. When running electrical cords across the room,
students are encouraged to purchase a cord cover and not use tape as it will damage the carpet.
Discretion should be used for room decor as anything illegal or promoting values or activities this
community has chosen to forgo will need to be removed (e.g., street signs, alcohol and drug posters,
scantily clad individuals, etc.) Any student who has stolen property, such as College or municipal signs
will be subject to disciplinary action, which could include a fine up to $50.
Room decorations should be in accordance with fire safety principles. Excessive paper or other
flammable materials should be avoided. In addition, students should use discretion when hanging string
lights in their rooms as certain bulbs can burn the paint on the wall leaving many black spots. This type
of damage will result in a fine of $150 per room. Damage reported to the residence hall or apartment and
house staff will be assessed according to the cost of replacement and labor. An inventory of furnishings
and room condition is made whenever a student moves into and out of a residence. Residents who leave
without properly checking out can be fined up to $75, plus additional charges for cleaning and damages
not previously recorded on their room condition inventory form.
Any type of construction (including loft beds and stadium seating), use of a waterbed, painting of
student rooms, and any tampering with College property (removing window screens, misusing fire
extinguishers, moving College furniture into living spaces, etc.) is prohibited. Under no circumstances
should students remove any College-owned furniture from their rooms or residence halls. Students are
not allowed to shoot Orby guns, airsoft pellets, dart or small bullet nerf guns, and/or other guns or
devices that leave a mess around the buildings.
Students who bring their own furniture are expected to legally store or dispose of it off campus at the end
of the school year. Abandoned furniture will result in a $75 fine. Damage in public areas and on the
floors may be charged to the students who reside on the floor or in the building where the damage
occurs if the responsible parties do not come forward. In some buildings, students are expected to help
with regular cleaning of bathrooms, lounges, and halls. Furniture in public areas, kitchen equipment, etc.,
is not to be moved from the room or the building. Furniture and other items should not be placed
directly in front of a vent; blocking a vent could result in mechanical damage, furniture damage and or
failure. Furniture should be two feet away from vents. Fines may be imposed for failure to follow these
guidelines.
The College is not responsible, and will not be liable for loss, theft, or damage to students' personal
belongings, whether by act of God, accident, negligence, or intentional act. For this and other reasons,
students are strongly encouraged to carry personal property insurance which can be purchased online
during the housing registration process.
The College will likely seek restitution from students, and from their parents’ insurance carriers, after
those events where students are responsible for intentionally or unintentionally causing damage to
College-owned property (i.e., causing a fire, setting off a building sprinkler system, etc.).
Check-In/Check-Out Times
The housing calendar for all check-in and check-out times are listed on the Residence Life website.
College housing opens in the fall to continuing students beginning at 2 pm on the Sunday prior to the
first day of classes. New students move in based on the Orientation schedule. Every attempt should be
made to check into campus housing during established check in-hours. For exceptions to posted check-
in times visit the residence life website to view the early arrival expectations or call the Residence Life
office at 630-752-5427. College housing closes at the end of the fall semester to student residents at
noon on Friday, the day following the last scheduled exam.
Housing reopens for spring semester at 3 pm on the Saturday before classes resume. Campus housing
closes in May on the Friday before commencement at 5 pm to students not affiliated with
commencement. Students affiliated with commencement living in the residence halls must complete
their room check out with their residence life staff member by 5 pm on Friday but may remain in
housing until 5 pm the day of commencement. Students living in campus apartments and houses must
complete their checkout by 5pm on Saturday the day before commencement. All graduating students
must be moved out of campus housing by noon on the Monday following graduation. Please see the
Residence Life calendar for up-to-date information.
College IDs are produced by the Public Safety Department. College ID cards are used to access living
areas, dining hall meals, and the library. There is a $20 replacement charge for lost or broken ID cards.
Electronic Entertainment Policy
Students may have televisions, speakers, and gaming systems but must be considerate of others in the
use of volume controls. Headphones are suggested as a means of enjoying entertainment without
disturbing other residents. Wisdom and discernment should be exercised when choosing what TV
shows and movies to watch.
It is legal to show movies in a residence hall lounge without a Public Performance License if the event is
not advertised outside the residence hall where the movie is being shown and an admission fee is not
charged.
No exterior antennae or satellite dishes are allowed. Students are prohibited from subscribing to a
private cable/internet company in campus houses and apartments that requires cable or internet lines
being installed.
Personal wireless routers are not allowed. Installing personal wireless routers is a violation of the
Computer Acceptable Use Policy each student signs upon connecting to our network.
Entering Campus Housing
The College recognizes students' desire for privacy in their campus housing units. When the College
deems it appropriate, advance notice will be provided before employees enter private campus housing
areas. (For example, personnel entering for routine maintenance purposes are required to knock and
announce their presence before entering.)
However, the College reserves the right to enter and search College-owned housing units (including
residence hall rooms, apartments, and houses) without advanced notice or the student’s consent to:
• Inspect the premises;
• Maintain the premises;
• Respond to health and/or safety concerns;
• Investigate suspected illegal activity and/or violations of College policies as described in the
Student Handbook; or
• For any other legitimate reason.
Anything that is contrary to the College's policies discovered by College personnel will be confiscated
and communicated to the Student Development Office (see Contraband Items Policy).
Students are prohibited from entering another student’s private campus housing unit without consent
from the resident(s).
Housing Assignment Process
Student housing is administered through the Housing Services Office. The College understands the
value that students place on their housing locations and works diligently to meet students’ needs.
Wheaton offers students four residence halls, fourteen apartment buildings, and twenty-three campus
houses through the housing selection process in the spring. Since Wheaton is a residential campus, our
desire is to house all students in campus-owned housing that is supported by Residence Life staff
members. Living off-campus in non-campus-owned housing is not guaranteed and should not be
expected, as that is not supported by Wheaton’s residential philosophy. However, if we are unable to
accommodate our continuing and new students with our housing inventory we will offer off-campus
permission to a limited number of students during the housing selection process conducted during the
Spring semester.
How and where female and male students interact and relate to each other contributes to a campus
atmosphere that encourages spiritual, moral, relational and intellectual growth; this is why we have
visitation policies that provide boundaries for opposite-sex interactions in campus housing. All campus
housing is separated by same-sex floors, apartments, and houses.
All new students are assigned a roommate and a room in a residence hall. Our desire is to have students
receive their first housing choice, but due to year-to-year changes in student preferences and limited
rooms in each living area, some students will not receive their first selection.
Housing Selection Process for Continuing Students
During the Spring semester, continuing students will apply online to live in College housing for the
following year, with roommates of their choice. We work hard to house students where they prefer but
know that in any given year there will be a portion of each class, from rising seniors to rising
sophomores, that will not get their first housing preference due to student housing requests shifting from
year to year and a static number of housing units. Students select housing based on their randomly
assigned lottery housing number which is impacted by the number of years a student has been in college.
Lottery numbers are randomly assigned and are not based on one’s credit hours, campus leadership
responsibilities, or if they had a pervious good or bad lottery number from a previous year. Students on
any form of probation (disciplinary, chapel, academic) may be considered ineligible to apply for off-
campus permission. Students should take the initiative to talk with the Housing Services Manager
regarding any related questions. All students living in campus housing agree to abide by all of the policies
and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
The College reserves the right to move students to alternate accommodations for appropriate reasons
(see Room Assignment Changes Policy). The College also reserves the right to use student rooms
between semesters and during vacations. If a student’s room is needed during breaks, the student will be
notified and offered storage options for valuables if needed.
Failure to cancel assigned College housing five weeks prior to the
first day of classes for the Fall or eight
weeks prior to the first day of the Spring semester will result in a charge of $250.00.
Housing and Disability Accommodations
Wheaton College recognizes that students with a documented disability or condition that may qualify as
a disability based on the following definition from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), may
require housing accommodations to fully participate in the residential component of campus life.
ADA Definition
• A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (i.e.,
walking, performing manual tasks, breathing, learning, etc.)
• A person who has a history or record of such an impairment
• A person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment
Students who need to request a specific disability accommodation in housing are required to submit
their requests along with supporting documentation to the Learning and Accessibility (LAS) office as
early as possible prior to the spring housing selection process and application. Students who do not
comply with this timeline may face more limited options or waitlists as housing assignments will have
already been made.
Students submitting documentation for the first time should complete this form. Students who have an
active casefile with LAS can update their information through their Accommodate profile accessible via
the Wheaton Portal. Once LAS has received the confidential documentation, LAS will review it and
make the appropriate recommendations to the Housing Committee.
Please note that Disability Accommodation requests do not include personal housing preferences or
specific residential locations, rather just the accommodation that is required. LAS will communicate
with students about the accommodation process and approval, and the Housing Office will
communicate with students about specific housing assignment and roommate information.
Students may reach out to las@wheaton.edu with any questions about this process.
Any Wheaton student who believes s/he has been wrongfully denied reasonable accommodations may
utilize the ADA Grievance Procedure.
This grievance procedure is not intended to supersede other College policies and procedures, which may exist to
address alleged violations of ADA and/or Section 504, and other issues of concern for which separate College
policies and procedures exist, such as grade appeals.
College Housing Options
College Residence Halls (the number of resident spaces available is listed in parenthesis)
Williston (65), Fischer (587), McManis-Evans (288), and Smith-Traber (408) house men and women.
Room assignments are made for the year; however, if changes are necessary, arrangements must be
made with the residence life staff member who manages the building.
College-owned Apartment Complexes
College Avenue (169); Michigan-Crescent (124); Saint and Elliot (92); Terrace (232) and are available
to eligible 3
rd
and 4
th
year students. Students are encouraged to plan activities and events that promote a
sense of community. Students are responsible for cleaning their own apartment.
College-owned Houses
Groups of 3
rd
and 4
th
year students (a total of 194) may apply to live in one of the 22 houses located
within walking distance of the campus. Students are expected to plan activities and events that
encourage and promote a sense of community. Students are responsible for cleaning their own houses.
Off-Campus Permission
Permission is limited to a small number of students that varies from year to year as Wheaton is a
residential campus and only allows off-campus permission when all students cannot be accommodated
in campus housing. Wheaton views living off-campus as a privilege and not a right. The housing office
will notify rising juniors and seniors if we need students to live off-campus in a given year. Students who
are not granted off-campus permission will need to select an on-campus housing option. Off-campus
permission is granted for the following year only during the previous Spring semester for any part of the
following school year; it is not granted between Fall and Spring semesters. Students living off campus are
a part of the Wheaton community just as much as those living in campus owned housing. Students living
off campus will be subject to the same conduct and visitation policies as students living in on-campus
apartments and houses.
The following groups of students are the only ones eligible for off-campus permission. Such permission
is not automatic nor is it guaranteed. We will review each student request on a case-by-case basis.
Fifth year students, those 25 years old or older, married students, students participating in Human
Needs and Global Resources, 3rd and 4th year engineering and nursing students enrolled in a 3-2
program, and part-time students (enrolled in less than 12 hours) may apply for off-campus permission.
Individual local students who live at home with their parents, or who live in a home owned solely by
their parents may also request off-campus permission. “Home” in this clause does not include
properties owned by multiple parents or families, nor does this clause apply to multiple students living
in the same home owned by multiple parents or families. Finally, parents renting an apartment for
their student does not qualify as owning a home, unless the parents live in the apartment full time.
Students who are granted off-campus permission are responsible for providing their own housing
accommodations. Wheaton College does not assume responsibility for the quality and/or safety of the
services provided by off-campus property owners. Off-campus students found doing their laundry in
Wheaton facilities or throwing their garbage away in our dumpsters will be fined $50 per occurrence.
Finally, the College supports the local city ordinances that state that no more than four unrelated people
(student and non-student) can live together. Exceptions to live off campus are very limited and will not
be granted for: December graduates who would like to sign a year-long lease; summer internship
prompting the desire to sign a year-long lease; public health issues; to learn to pay one’s own bills; to
create a space for a team or group to gather; to live with a friend who has graduated or qualifies for
automatic off-campus permission; to accommodate an emotional support animal; to reduce expenses.
Students found living off campus who did not receive permission will be charged the on-campus housing
rate for each semester they lived off campus.
Fall Student Teacher Temporary Housing Policy
Students who taught internationally during the fall semester are required to return to Wheaton to
complete the Philosophy of Education intensive at the end of the fall semester. Students are responsible
to find their own housing between Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Students can secure temporary
off-campus housing or are welcome to contact housing.services@wheaton.edu to inquire about on
campus housing availability. Students who select on campus housing will be charged a nightly rate from
the time they move in until the end of the semester. Students may not stay as a long-term guest in
campus housing as the Overnight Guest Policy only allows for a three-night maximum visit.
Single Graduate Student Housing
A limited number of College-owned furnished apartments are available for single graduate students.
Information and application forms are available from the Housing Services Office located in the Student
Services Building or by calling 630-752-5202.
International, Graduate, Married and Colson Scholar Student Housing
A limited number of College-owned furnished apartments and one campus house are available for
married international students and Colson Scholars, as well for international students and Colson
Scholars with families. Information and application forms are available from the Housing Services Office
located in the Student Services Building, or by calling 630-752-5202.
International graduate students living in a College-owned housing are given a one-year lease that can be
renewed up to two years.
Domestic graduate students are responsible for making their own off-campus arrangements.
Graduate students (domestic and international) who are assigned campus housing and then decide to
leave mid-semester to acquire off-campus housing will be required to pay for the full semester of campus
housing.
There is limited on campus housing available for undergraduate married students. Interested students
should email housing.services@wheaton.edu.
Laundry Policy
Central laundry rooms are provided in close proximity to all College-owned housing units. The cost of
laundry is included in the cost of campus housing. Therefore, no quarters will be needed to operate
College-owned washers and dryers. The use of laundry equipment in campus housing units is limited to
the students who live in the housing unit where the laundry room is located. Clothes left for over a week
will be collected and donated. Off-campus students doing their laundry in campus facilities will be fined
$50.
Meal Plans, Food Allergies, and Meal Accommodations
New First-year Students Living in the Residence Halls
All first-year students living in residence halls must be on the 18 or 14 traditional meal plan or the 210 or
160 block meal plan. All other undergraduate students living in the residence halls must be on an 18, 14,
or 10 traditional meal plan or the 210 or 160 block plan. Undergraduate students living in residence halls
are not eligible to enroll in the 65 block plan. All undergraduate students living in residence halls are
automatically assigned an 18-meal plan for the fall semester, but students may request a meal plan
change until 4:30 pm on the Friday of the first week of classes. In order to ensure accurate fall billing, we
encourage students to submit meal plan requests for the fall semester by the end of June. Meal plans may
be requested or changed on the housing/meal plan portal.
Undergraduates Living in College-Owned Apartments or Houses
Meal plans are optional for students living in College-owned apartments or houses. All undergraduate
students living in College-owned apartments or houses who have not selected a meal plan will
automatically receive an 18-meal plan for the fall semester. Students may request not to have a meal plan
or make a meal plan change, until 4:30 pm on the Friday of the first week of classes. These students can
sign up for an 18, 14, or 10 traditional meal plan for 210 or 160 block plan. Undergraduate students are
also eligible for the 65 block meal plan if they are living in campus apartments or houses. However, for
undergraduate students, the unused meals from the 65 meal plan expire at the end of each semester
and therefore any unused meals are forfeited, even if another block plan is purchased. The 65 meal plan
does not include ThunderBucks. In order to ensure accurate fall billing, we encourage students to
submit meal plan requests for the fall semester by mid-June. Meal plans may be requested or changed at
the housing/meal plan portal.
Undergraduates Living Off Campus in Non-College-Owned Apartments or Houses
Meal plans are optional for undergraduates living off-campus in non-College-owned apartments or
houses. These students are not automatically enrolled in a meal plan. If they wish, these students may
enroll in the 18, 14, or 10 traditional meal plan or 210, 160 or 65 block meal plan. Meal plans may be
requested or changed at the housing/meal plan portal until 4:30 pm on Friday of the first week of
classes.
Graduate Students
The 65 meal plan is ideal for graduate students. For graduate students only, unused fall meals roll over
into the spring semester. Once all 65 meals are used, an additional 65 meal plan may be purchased at any
time. For graduate students the 65 meal plan expires at the end of the academic year and any unused
meals are forfeited at that time. The 65 meal plan does not include ThunderBucks. Meal plans may be
requested or changed at the housing/meal plan portal.
Meal Plan Procedures, Policies, and Explanations
The meal plan a student chooses for the fall semester is automatically applied to the spring semester
unless they change it via the housing/meal plan portal. Changes must be made by 4:30 pm on the first
Friday of the spring semester. Students with questions about this process may contact
[email protected]. Any communication about meal plan changes to Student Financial
Services or the Wheaton Installment Program will not be honored.
Traditional Plans
Bon Appetit serves 18 meals a week: Monday through Friday (5) Breakfast, (5) Lunch, and (5) Dinner,
on Saturday (1) Brunch and (1) Dinner, and on Sunday (1) Brunch for 18 meals. We also open the
Stupe on Sunday nights for a meal. Students on a meal plan, and who have meals available, may use a
meal Sunday night at the Stupe- or pay with ThunderBucks. Traditional plans are offered in 18, 14, or 10
meals a week increments and come with $50 worth of ThunderBucks. On the traditional plans, no guest
or other student can use the student's meals at any time. The maximum numbers of meal swipes per day
is three on the weekdays and two on the weekends, and the maximum number of swipes per meal is one.
Block Plans
Block plans offer students a set-number of meals they can use any time, and as often as they wish, until
they have used up all the meals. With the 210 and 160 block plan, students may use the meals in their
plan at any time during the semester as needed, and unused blocks from the fall semester can carry
forward to the spring semester as long as another 210 or 160 block plan is purchased. Students may also
use their block plans to purchase meals for family and friends. All unused block meals are forfeited at the
end of the school year. The 210 and 160 block plans do not have the same amount of meals as the 18 and
14 Traditional meal plans. If a 210 or 160 block plan is chosen and the student runs out of meals before
the end of the semester, please note that ThunderBucks must be purchased to pay for any remaining
meals in the semester. Students still must not lend their ID card to anyone for use in the cafes; they must
be present with their card to use the plan for any guest. Undergraduate students are eligible for the 65
meal plan if they are living in campus apartments or houses or off campus. For undergraduate students,
however, the unused meals from the 65 meal plan expire at the end of each semester and therefore
any unused meals are forfeited, even if another block plan is purchased. The 65 meal plan does not
include ThunderBucks. Students can learn how many meals they have remaining by asking a Bon
Appetit cashier.
ThunderBucks and ThunderBucks Plus
ThunderBucks are dollars that are included in all meal plans, with the exception of the 65 block plan.
ThunderBucks may be used in Anderson Commons, Sam's, and The Stupe. Using ThunderBucks in
Anderson Commons offers a special discounted price (ThunderBucks Price) for meals in that cafe.
Unused ThunderBucks from the fall semester "roll over" and are added to the ThunderBucks received
for the spring semester meal plan when a meal plan with ThunderBucks is selected. All ThunderBucks
expire at the end of the academic year.
ThunderBucks Plus are discretionary dollars that may be added to a student's ID card, if the student has
a formal meal plan. Students without a formal meal plan cannot add ThunderBucks Plus to their ID card.
ThunderBucks Plus may be used in Anderson Commons, Sam's, and The Stupe, in lower Beamer
Center. ThunderBucks Plus do not expire until a student leaves Wheaton. Students, and their parents,
may add ThunderBucks Plus to their student ID cards at any of the dining facilities.
Dining Hall Alternatives
The Stupe is a dining option on the board plan which means that students eating lunch or dinner can use
their traditional or block meals to pay for their meal at this venue. ThunderBucks, cash, or credit cards
are also accepted in The Stupe. Sam’s is the premiere retail venue on campus with an assortment of grab-
n-go offerings. Sam's accepts ThunderBucks, ThunderBucks Plus, cash, Visa or MasterCard.
Food Allergies, Dietary Restrictions, and Meal Accommodations
Wheaton College recognizes that students with a documented disability or medical condition that may
qualify as a disability based on the following definition from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
may require ADA accommodations to fully participate in the residential component of campus life.
ADA Definition
• A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (i.e.,
walking, performing manual tasks, breathing, learning, etc.)
• A person who has a history or record of such an impairment
• A person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment
Students with dietary restrictions should contact the Manager for Bon Appetit, the food service
contractor for Wheaton College, in order to inform him/her about any dietary requirements. The
Manager will then communicate what Bon Appetit is or is not able to do to meet those requirements. If
after speaking with the Bon Appetit Dining Team and exploring options within the café, including
SimplyOASIS, a student requires additional assistance in meeting his/her dietary needs, s/he should
reach out to Learning & Accessibility Services (LAS) at [email protected] to explore further options for
individualization and possible accommodations. Students who may be eligible for an ADA
accommodation should be prepared to provide LAS with supporting documentation from a relevant
health provider.
Any Wheaton student who believes s/he has been wrongfully denied reasonable accommodations may
utilize the ADA Grievance Procedure.
Off-Campus Housing Agreement
Living off campus, students will have the opportunity to live intentionally and faithfully in community:
establishing and maintaining good relationships with neighbors, serving the needs of others, and
experiencing the joy of being part of a neighborhood. But seeking the welfare of the city also involves
sensitivity to others' needs and concerns, which translates into practical matters such as heeding noise
levels and parking in the correct locations, honoring agreements with landowners, and observing city
ordinances that address community welfare. The latter include occupancy limits: in Wheaton, no more
than four unrelated people may reside at a given residence. As "salt and light" to our world, all members
of the Wheaton College community are called to be good neighbors by observing these obligations.
We only allow students to apply for off-campus housing in groups of one to four to help uphold local
ordinances. Students are expected to know and follow the relevant ordinances in the place that they
reside. In addition, students applying for off-campus permission must comply with all College policies
regarding housing, including limiting non-related roommates to those of the same sex and observing
College rules regarding visitation and overnight stays by members of the opposite sex. Students found to
be living off campus without permission will be charged the apartment and house semester room rate for
each semester lived off campus.
The College will take the following steps in support of our surrounding cities and neighbors:
1. The student housing policy specifically lists living in compliance with applicable zoning
ordinances for occupancy as an expectation for all Wheaton students living off campus.
2. The College requests an accurate and current local address for all students living off campus.
The residence life office will request all off-campus residents to provide their local address.
3. Students found to be living in violation of applicable zoning ordinances will be subject to any or
all of the following:
a. A letter of non-compliance will be filed in the student’s College record.
b. The College will affirm addresses if requested by city authorities who are formally
investigating specific violations of occupancy ordinances.
c. Apart from any current or future College response, students face consequences from city
authorities as defined in zoning ordinances, including evictions and other civil penalties
for non-compliance.
4. Students who provide false information during the local address and registration process will be
subject to further disciplinary action by the College.
Students who accept off-campus permission are expected to understand and agree to the Off-Campus
Housing Agreement.
Overnight Guest Policy
Guests are limited to a three-day visit. Students should notify their RA when guests are staying on the
floor.
All guests should be the student's peers and friends. Parents and other adults should not be invited to
stay in College housing. Students may not rent out their rooms or use their on-campus living spaces as
AirBnB options.
No overnight guest of the opposite gender is permitted at any time in student housing.
Wheaton College commuter students and other peers and friends are prohibited from being routine
overnight guests in College housing. Exceptions must be cleared with one of the following: Graduate
Residence Advisor, Residence Director or the Dean of Residence Life.
All guests are expected to comply with the Student Handbook expectations when residing on campus.
Hosts are responsible for their guests and the decisions made in their living spaces.
If an off-campus guest has a medical or mental health emergency, the student hosting the guest should
contact Public Safety (630.752.5911) or residence life on-duty, or 911 for assistance and guidance.
Quiet Hours Policy
Quiet hours are 11:00 pm – 9:00 am, seven days a week. The City of Wheaton does enforce its noise
ordinance outside campus housing which is in effect after 10:00 pm seven days a week.
Residence Hall Hours Policy
Wheaton students do not have an official curfew throughout the year but are encouraged to care for
themselves physically. Students are encouraged to be in their halls by midnight Sunday through
Thursday, and 2 am Friday and Saturday. As a form of courtesy and safety, students are encouraged to
notify their roommates or RA when they plan to be away overnight.
Residential Policy
Living on campus is one of the five pillars of the Wheaton College undergraduate experience, along with
academic engagement, worshiping together in chapel three times a week, co-curricular involvement, as
well as stewardship of individual and community health. Wheaton’s Residence Life program contributes
to the College’s mission of educating whole persons to build the Church and serve the needs of societies
worldwide. Wheaton College is committed to a residential experience because we believe living on
campus creates a powerful context for learning. Impactful life-to-life encounters occur daily when
students live together in community.
Therefore, as a condition of attending Wheaton College, undergraduate students are required to live on
campus in College-owned residence halls, apartments or houses all four years.* Students are given
options to experience various types of residential communities. All first-year students and most second-
year students live in one of two residence halls, Fischer or Smith-Traber. Some second-year students,
along with some third- and fourth-year students live in upper-class residence halls, McManis-Evans or
Williston. Many third and most fourth-year students live in campus apartment and house communities.
We believe that students who engage in authentic community where they work to know and love one
another as well as bear one another's burdens are more likely to experience the transforming hope of the
Gospel.
Our belief is that because of living in intentional community, students will: 1) grow in Christ-likeness; 2)
learn more about themselves; 3) develop habits of healthy living;4) experience meaningful relationships;
5) value and engage in Christ-Centered diversity efforts; 6) apply learning from the classroom to their
lives; and 7) better understand their responsibility to as well as their role in the communities in which
they engage. Our desire is that students catch a vision for living the rest of their lives in authentic
Christian community wherever the Lord leads them.
* Exceptions are granted for fifth-year students, married students, students participating in the Human
Needs and Global Resources program, students who choose to live with their parent(s) and commute,
third and fourth-year engineering and nursing students enrolled in the 3/2 program, and part-time
students. A limited number of students may be granted permission to live off campus through the
Housing Selection Process if Wheaton does not have enough housing for students in a given year.
Room Assignment Changes Policy
Wheaton College understands that living with friends is a significant aspect of community living and can
shape a person’s housing experience. However, there are times when planned or unplanned room
vacancies occur which must be filled. The Housing Services office has the authority to change rooming
assignments or fill vacant bed spaces as needed. Students in a room, apartment or house with a vacant
space are required to accept a new roommate who is placed in the space by Housing Services. Refusing
to accept a roommate or impeding Housing's ability to assignment a student to a vacant space (e.g., by
not keeping the unoccupied space presentable) is a violation of the housing agreement. Our desire is to
provide advanced notice, but unfortunately sometimes advance notice of a new roommate is not
possible. Therefore, residents must ensure that the vacant space and furnishings are in a condition ready
for occupancy at all times.
Reasons for a change include but are not limited to the following:
• A student or his/her roommate(s) withdraws or defers enrollment for a semester;
• A change is made in the number of rooms available in a given building due to unexpected
enrollment shifts;
• A relational dynamic exists that needs to be resolved; or
• A community crises or concern needs to be addressed for the safety of the student body.
Roommate Conflict Policy
When we live with other people in community, we can quickly see that our desires, comforts,
preferences, and values can crash against our neighbor’s expectations and experiences. It is in the
experience with conflict where we can act out our love for God through loving our neighbor or we can
veer off the road of discipleship, choosing only to serve ourselves.
We believe that God created each person, including one’s roommate, in His image and therefore each
person deserves respect and dignity. If/when roommates or apartment mates experience conflict or
unmet expectations in their relationships, we believe this is a prime opportunity to teach, educate, and
help students grow in their ability to navigate conflict by exploring reconciliation options as well as to
seek understanding. Learning how to address conflict is a necessary skill at Wheaton and beyond. Our
desire is to follow the Lord’s instruction in Matthew 18:15-20 and encourage students to go to one
another first, instead of gossiping or assuming the worst. The Residence Life staff is here to help students
participate in these challenging conversations with the hope of seeing students grow and relationships
restored.
The following four steps can assist roommates who are experiencing conflict and desire resolution. If a
student is in physical danger, they should talk with their senior staff member immediately (Residence
Director/Graduate Residence Advisor). The Dean of Residence Life retains the authority to modify the
roommate conflict process regarding the number of conversations required before it is determined a
housing change is necessary. Residence Life staff will collaborate with various staff across campus to
gather a robust understanding of all the students involved and their personal situation.
1. A conflict surfaces and needs to be addressed
a. Roommates are encouraged to talk to each other and allow time for each person to talk
and listen to one another with the desire to find a mutually agreeable resolution.
b. Residence life staff can provide resources to assist in the first conversation.
c. After the conversation, students should put into practice their new agreements.
2. Conflict persists (1-2 weeks after first conversation)
a. A student should speak with their Resident Assistant or Graduate Resident Advisor in
campus apartments/houses about the continuing concerns. The staff member will meet
with each student individually and help facilitate a conversation between the roommates
to help them come to an agreeable solution.
b. After the conversation, students put into practice their new agreements.
3. Conflict continues to persist (1 -2 weeks following conversation with the staff
member)
a. Student contacts their RA/GRA about their continued concerns, and the RA/GRA
invites a senior staff member (GRA/RD) to assist.
b. A senior staff member (GRA/RD) facilitates a conversation between the roommates to
help them find common ground.
c. After the conversation students put into practice their new agreements.
4. Relationship still not working (1-2 weeks following GRA/RD facilitated
conversation)
a. If roommates continue to experience hardship and are unable to reconcile, then a
decision will be made by the senior staff member (in consultation with the Dean of
Residence Life) to determine which student will be required to move. The decision
about who will move out of the room will be based on all the information gathered
during the previous conversations.
Storage Policy
Storage for each resident is determined by the space available in each building. All the residence halls
provide limited storage at no cost for students who want to store boxes or bicycles over the summer.
Each campus apartment is assigned a basement storage cage, which is approximately 6’x3’x6’. Summer
storage is only available to students who are continuing their enrollment the following fall semester.
Detailed information about available campus storage can be found here: Apartments and Houses,
Fischer, Smith-Traber, Upperclass Halls, Williston.
The College is not responsible, and will not be liable for loss, theft, or damage to students' personal
belongings, whether by act of God, accident, negligence, or intentional act. For these reasons, students
are strongly encouraged to carry personal property insurance. Any possessions left in unauthorized
places or that are unclaimed may be disposed of by the College. Because of the fire hazard and potential
flooding in some locations, the College strongly encourages students to store their belongings in plastic
storage bins. All storage must be neat and orderly, with a minimum ceiling clearance of 18 inches. Local
fire codes may dictate other storage safety requirements.
Summer Storage
There is no summer storage available in campus housing for personal furniture. Students will be fined
$75 for storing soft furniture. Information about off-campus storage options can be found here.
Storage must be in the building where the student last resided, and all articles must be labeled with
student’s name, current date (month and year), and a permanent mailing address. Summer storage of
refrigerators is permitted only as space allows. Summer storage access will only be granted to obtain
passports and medication. Any request granted, except for the two previously mentioned exceptions, will
incur a $40 charge.
Work Requests Policy
Students who recognize damage or something broken or not functioning correctly in or around their
living space should report it to their RAs, GRAs, or RD for repair. In the case of an emergency repair,
students should contact their Residence Life staff immediately in-person or by calling the on-duty
number for their area. Good judgment is a key factor in determining an emergency. The following
problems are considered emergencies:
• All heating and air-conditioning problems (external temperatures factor into the level of
emergency);
• Electrical power failures, such as with fuses, circuit breakers, wiring problems, etc.;
• Plumbing problems, such as continuous running water from toilet or sinks, any pipe or fixture
that is causing or will cause significant property damage due to leakage, any toilet or receptacle
that is unusable and is the only one available;
• Any malfunction in refrigeration equipment, particularly if it will result in damage to its
contents;
• Any roof leak where evidence of water is significant;
• All gas problems, including problems relighting pilot lights, gas leaks, etc.;
• All broken windows, doors, and locks which cause security problems or allow the effects of
weather indoors; and
• All elevator repairs or problems.
All work requests must be submitted by an RD, GRA, ARD, or RA.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Community Covenant
These questions and responses are provided to clarify the meaning of the Community Covenant. By
providing this information we want to encourage Wheaton students to the high calling of Christ in
Christian community.
When does my covenant commitment to the members of the Wheaton College
community begin and end?
A student’s commitment to his/her fellow community members begins when classes are in session
and/or when participating in any College program on or off campus; it ends after the student has
completed all final coursework and/or program requirements (including all Commencement exercises
for graduating students) and has moved out of campus housing or left the program site.
How do I relate to the Community Covenant over Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, and
Summer breaks?
When students voluntarily enroll at Wheaton College, they also dedicate themselves to the full intention
of living with integrity under the Community Covenant’s provisions as well as the policy expectations
within the Student Handbook.
Students remain enrolled during Thanksgiving and Spring breaks, which means that their commitment
to the Wheaton College community continues uninterrupted during those windows. If students are not
enrolled or participating in any College-related program on or off campus over Christmas or Summer
breaks, they are encouraged but not required to continue pursuing the vision for holy and healthy living
described in the Community Covenant.
Is consuming wine while taking Holy Communion a violation of the Community
Covenant?
No, students are encouraged to take Holy Communion as an act of worship, according to the practices
of each local church.
Can I drink a glass of wine if I am eating a meal at home with my parents?
In short, “no.” We hope students’ parents will applaud the integrity displayed in a mature commitment
to the Wheaton College community. Students live out that commitment wherever they go, including at
home with their parents.
Must I abide by the Community Covenant if I do not necessarily agree with all of its
content?
Yes, enrolling as a student at Wheaton College and signing the Covenant indicates a desire to live
according to its good vision. Disagreement with certain portions of the Community Covenant provides
no grounds for failing to keep one’s word. If an individual experiences fundamental disagreement with
Wheaton’s Community Covenant, that disagreement should be addressed with a Dean in Student
Development or the Athletics Director before the individual signs it.
If the disagreement cannot be resolved, the individual may wish to enroll at another institution that
more closely matches his/her convictions.
When do I renew my commitment to the members of the Wheaton College Community
regarding my intent to follow the Community Covenant?
Students re-affirm their commitment to the Wheaton College community when they apply for housing
during the spring housing selection process.
Why does Wheaton’s Community Covenant seem to focus so heavily on the issues of
alcohol and dancing? What about issues such as greed, pride, or gossip?
The Community Covenant—which seeks to cultivate a biblically-balanced Christian lifestyle—is
structured around “Affirming Biblical Standards,” “Living the Christian Life,” “Exercising Responsible
Freedom,” and “Embracing College Standards.” The majority of its content encourages every member of
our voluntary Christ-centered community to have a Christ-centered heart that seeks to love God and
people.
The section entitled “Living the Christian Life” addresses sins against others and/or against God (such
as greed, gossip, and pride) primarily as heart issues that also have implications for Christian
community. By God’s kindness we grow in these areas through the Holy Spirit and at times through the
gentle correction of other followers of Jesus, leading to repentance and change.
The prohibitions against alcohol, tobacco consumption, and illicit drugs (as well as against non-College
sponsored dances) are described in the section called “Embracing College Standards.” We set these
boundaries to prevent distractions to fostering a Christ-centered learning, living, and working
environment. The fact that we correct violations of our voluntary agreement not to engage in such
distractions may influence the perception that the College focuses more on these areas, when in fact the
Community Covenant makes a clear distinction between core principles of biblical ethics and the
prudential rules we have as a campus.
The Community Covenant mentions illegal drugs; does marijuana fall into that category
since it will be a legal drug in Illinois as of January 2020?
Yes, although possession and use of marijuana will no longer be a crime according to the State of Illinois,
the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Consistent with federal law,
including the Controlled Substances Act and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, the use
and/or possession of marijuana (smoked or edible) continues to be prohibited for all Wheaton students
on or off campus. Furthermore, the use of marijuana under medical marijuana laws will not be
permitted.
Why does the Community Covenant refer to behaviors that are not found in Scripture?
Wheaton College desires to cultivate a campus atmosphere that reflects a devotion to Christ and
celebrates the richness and breadth that exists within the body of Christ. Given the heritage and
historical contexts of lifestyle issues within the evangelical church, the College has established behavioral
guidelines that will, in the leadership’s judgement, foster a Christ-honoring environment for learning,
living and working. While there may be differing perspectives on lifestyle issues, it is essential that we
have clarity on what is expected for every member of the College community.
Why are the Intercultural Arts & Media (ICAM) and Office of Multicultural Development
(OMD) the only departments that can sponsor dances on campus?
The Community Covenant’s standards regarding dancing are designed to promote positive dimensions
of social dancing without importing what is negative. Student Engagement is mandated to implement
these godly priorities by planning and sponsoring campus-wide social activities that are fun, wholesome,
and community-building activities that befit a community that claims to exist “for Christ and His
Kingdom.” As members of Student Engagement, the ICAM and OMD offices have the knowledge and
experience to plan and host campus dances for the College.
What should I do if I am aware that another student has fallen short in upholding his/her
commitment to the Wheaton College community?
Students are encouraged to follow Christ’s principles (Matthew 18:15-20) when engaging another
student with concerns. This means lovingly and honestly approaching another person with one’s
concerns, individually at first, then with one or two fellow believers if the concerns persist. If these
conversations do not yield satisfactory outcomes or if students are reluctant to initiate these
conversations, then consultation with the Dean of Student Wellness, the Dean of Residence Life, the
Dean for Student Engagement or a Residence Life staff member is recommended. When addressing the
concerns, the emphasis should be on a redemptive, restorative process that encourages the growth of the
individual while respecting our commitment to one another in the Community Covenant.
What will happen if I confess to violating my commitment to the Community Covenant or
other College policies?
Students are encouraged to self-report or confess their misconduct to a Dean in Student Development
or to the Athletics Director to seek help, find support, and receive forgiveness. The College celebrates
these confessional steps and encourages students to walk in freedom not in fear. When a student self-
reports to violating a Student Handbook policy or the vision for holy living described in the Community
Covenant, the College will respond with care and support resources as well as with a reduced
consequence when appropriate to honor the repentant heart.
Student Conduct Policies and Procedures
Academic Integrity Policy
The Wheaton College Community Covenant, which all members of our academic community affirm,
states that, “According to the Scriptures, followers of Jesus Christ will be people of integrity whose word
can be fully trusted (Psalm 15:4; Matt. 5:33-37).” It is expected that Wheaton College students, faculty
and staff understand and subscribe to the ideal of academic integrity and take full personal responsibility
and accountability for their work. Wheaton College considers violations of academic integrity a serious
offense against the basic meaning of an academic community and against the standards of excellence,
integrity, and behavior expected of members of our academic community. Violations of academic
integrity break the trust that exists among members of the learning community at Wheaton and degrade
the College’s educational and research mission.
Violations of Academic Integrity: Definitions
Plagiarism is defined as using material created by others–in part or in whole–without properly
attributing authorial and publication references for the correct source(s). Plagiarism can occur in dealing
with written texts, but can also occur in the arts when, for instance, images or musical themes created by
another are presented as if they were the original composition or creation of the student (e.g. musical
composition, artwork, etc.). Reference credit must be given for direct quotations, for work (including a
form of argument, progression of ideas, or artistic creation), whether in whole or in part, that is
paraphrased, adapted or summarized in the student’s own words or creative work, and for information
that is not common.
Cheating is defined as use of unauthorized notes, study aids, or non-approved sources for an
examination, unauthorized alteration of a graded work after it has been returned and resubmission of
that work for re-grading, submission of another person’s work to meet requirements for a course, and
submission of identical or similar papers for credit in more than one course (concurrently or
sequentially) without prior permission from the course instructors.
Fabrication is defined as falsifying or inventing any information, data, or citation, presenting data that
were not gathered in accordance with standard guidelines defining the appropriate methods for
collecting or generating data as if they were gathered in accord with those guidelines, and failing to
include an accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.
Violations of academic integrity can also be exhibited through lying, misrepresenting, defrauding, or
deceiving related to assigned or voluntary academic work. It further includes any deliberate attempt to
gain unfair advantage in completing examinations or other required work, colluding, aiding or abetting a
violation of academic integrity by another student, and the falsification of academic records and official
documents. These definitions are not exhaustive.
Responsibility for Disciplinary Action
Disciplinary authority and responsibility for addressing student violations of the College’s Academic
Integrity Policy has been delegated by the President to the Provost and, in turn, to the Academic Deans
and Faculty members.
The Provost and Academic Deans have the discretion to modify the following procedures at any time
during a specific investigation or adjudication, as circumstances warrant. Nothing contained in these
procedures is intended to create, or be interpreted as creating, any contractual rights on the part of any
student.
Students who violate academic integrity standards should report their own violations to the appropriate
person (i.e., the professor); honest confession is expected as the appropriate expression of remorse. It is
the responsibility of every student who is a witness to such behavior to confront violations of academic
integrity whenever they become aware of it (in the spirit of the mutual responsibility as discussed in the
Community Covenant). College faculty and all staff similarly must address every violation of academic
integrity as they become aware of it.
Disciplinary Process
When a student is perceived to have violated the Academic Integrity Policy, the faculty member will
meet with the student to discuss the alleged violation. The faculty member is encouraged to ask another
faculty member or academic supervisor to attend this meeting. The goal of this meeting is to
communicate to the student the nature of the allegation, to gather more information regarding the
situation, and to allow the student(s) to share his/her perspective about the incident. Student(s) will be
given the opportunity to share any information or evidence that may support their position. The College
will approach these initial conversations balancing the tension between grace and truth with a genuine
interest in the student’s wellbeing and development within the context of community and relationships.
The decision of whether or not a student has committed an academic violation will be communicated to
the student and the Dean of Residence Life in writing by the faculty member within five (5) working
days of the initial meeting. If the faculty member determines that an infraction has occurred, a copy of
the letter will be forwarded to the Academic Department Chair and the Dean of the division or School to
which the faculty member is assigned. The letter must include a complete description of the events
including the date of the meeting with the student and the conclusions and sanctions reached as a result
of the meeting. The faculty member should keep originals of tests, papers etc. that give evidence of the
violation. The faculty member will also communicate with the Dean of Residence Life concerning the
incident and the sanction. Faculty are encouraged to be available to work with the Dean of Residence
Life if it is determined that the incident has occurred in other courses.
Outcomes for academic dishonesty are assigned with the intent of maintaining appropriateness to the
severity of the infraction, consistency, and fairness. Decisions about the nature and severity of
disciplinary responses to academic dishonesty will take into consideration three factors: 1) the level of
maturity of the student and the programmatic expectations on the student (e.g., the freshman in the first
writing course versus the doctoral student working on a dissertation), 2) the severity of the infraction
(from an apparently incidental failure to quote properly a source to an act of wholesale plagiarism in
purchasing an academic paper on-line), and 3) academic integrity policies from the course’s syllabus.
Outcomes for Violations of Academic Integrity
If a student is found to have violated the Academic Integrity Policy, the faculty member has the authority
and sole discretion in that course to give one of the following responses:
• Reprimand/warning;
• Assignment of additional work;
• Lower the grade assigned for the specific assignment by one or more grade steps;
• Re-examination; or
• Lower the grade to zero credit for the specific assignment on which academic dishonesty
occurred.
The disciplinary actions listed in this section are not exhaustive. Sanctions may be imposed in any
combination. In consultation with their academic supervisor, the faculty member may also assign the
grade of F (Failed) for the course.
All decisions (initial sanctions and any appeals) will be communicated to the student in writing by the
faculty member, Academic Department Chair or whomever the Academic Dean determines should
render a response. A copy of all adjudicative documents must be sent to the Dean of Residence Life to be
added to the student’s file as this office has been charged with maintaining records for all enrolled
students.
Suspension and Expulsion may be imposed only by recommendation of the Academic Dean to whom the
involved faculty member reports. The Academic Dean will make this recommendation in consultation
with the reporting faculty member, the student’s faculty advisor, the academic department chair, and the
Dean of Residence Life.
• Suspension: The student is involuntarily separated from the College for a specified length of
time.
• Expulsion: The student is permanently separated from the College with an appropriate notation
of the reasons for such termination on the student’s permanent record.
Multiple Violations
Students who have multiple academic integrity violations will meet with the Dean of Residence Life, or
his/her designee to determine the appropriate institutional response outlined in the student conduct
process.
Academic Appeals
If the student believes that the decision made about an outcome in response to the incident of
dishonesty is not just or fair, the student may submit a letter of appeal stating objections and providing
any supporting materials within five (5) business days of receiving the decision to the appropriate
supervisor of the Department or Program (e.g., the Department Chair, or if there is no chair, to the
Program Director. If the faculty member is the Department Chair or Program Director, the appeal is to
the divisional Academic Dean). If the student appeals a suspension or expulsion decision, he/she may be
permitted to remain in school until the appeal has been heard and a decision rendered.
• In the case of an outcome determined by the professor alone, the appropriate and final appeal is
to the Academic Department supervisor (e.g., the Department Chair, or if there is no chair, to
the Program Director. If the faculty member is the Department Chair or Program Director, the
appeal is to the divisional Academic Dean).
• In the case of an outcome determined by the professor together with the Academic Department
Chairperson (i.e., failure of a course), the appropriate and final appeal is to the divisional
Academic Dean).
• In the case of a recommendation of suspension or expulsion being rendered by the divisional or
School Academic Dean, the appropriate and final appeal is to a Hearing Panel composed of five
faculty outside the academic department and one student representative. The Hearing Panel will
follow the guidelines and procedures listed in the Student Conduct Policy as outlined in
“Hearing Panel Procedures for a Student Appeal.”
Students may appeal the decision of the Hearing Panel to the Provost. The Provost shall notify the
student within a reasonable amount of time of her final decision. The decision of the Provost is not
subject to further appeal.
The Graduate School has established a framework review process that differs in some respects
from the undergraduate policy.
In addition, some graduate programs have established additional student review processes that take the
place of the academic department chair’s role described above. Where such procedures are clearly
specified in department or program student handbooks, those procedures take precedence over the
more basic process outlined in this policy. However, the Wheaton College appeals process remains the
same.
A copy of the full Academic Integrity Policy is available in each academic department office, the office of
each divisional Academic Dean, the Student Development Office, the Graduate Student Life Office, and
the Provost’s Office.
For further information on the Graduate School Academic Integrity Policy, please contact the Director
of Graduate Student Life at 630-752-7954.
Alcohol- & Drug-Free Community Policy
The College has established behavioral guidelines in the Student Handbook based on the Community
Covenant that we believe will help foster a Christ-honoring academic community. Wheaton does not
believe consuming alcohol is a sin. Wheaton does believe in the Bible’s instructions about self-control
and moderation, would include, but are not limited to, the consumption of alcohol. However, the fact
that alcohol is often glorified, abused, and addictive during the College years, suggests the need for
wisdom and discernment.
We acknowledge that there are differing perspectives within the evangelical community about the role of
alcohol in a Christian’s life. Wheaton College prohibits alcohol consumption among undergraduate
students because of its negative outcomes on physical and mental wellbeing, academic performance,
personal relationships, and to campus facilities within a living/learning collegiate environment.
Additionally, more than half the undergraduate population is under the legal age of 21 for alcohol
possession as well as consumption.
Therefore, it is essential that every member of the College community clearly understands the College’s
expectations, outlined in the Student Handbook and Community Covenant. Namely, Wheaton College
and all Wheaton College-related functions will be alcohol-free. This means the possession or
consumption of alcohol and non-alcohol substitutes in any form and for any purpose (e.g., cooking) will
be prohibited in, on, or around all campus properties, owned or leased. The same prohibition applies to
all Wheaton College vehicles, whether on or off campus, and to all Wheaton College events or programs,
wherever they may be held.
While enrolled in Wheaton College or participating in a program sponsored by or earning credit granted
by Wheaton College, undergraduate members of the community will refrain from the consumption of
alcohol in all settings, with the sole exception that students are permitted to drink the wine of Holy
Communion in local church settings.
Fasting, a common spiritual practice for Christians, is an opportunity to deny oneself a freedom as a
physical reminder that only Jesus fulfills and sustains. The College’s expectation for undergraduates to
refrain from consuming alcohol is an opportunity to practice the discipline of fasting to draw near to the
Lord and grow in self-control.
Students should avoid attending peer led gatherings where alcohol is present during the school year. A
student’s presence at a place where other students are drinking alcohol can communicate an implicit
affirmation of possessing and/or drinking alcohol while enrolled (except during Christmas and/or
summer break when not involved in a Wheaton sponsored program) when in fact it is not permissible. If
a student is found to have attended a peer led gathering where alcohol is present and/or being
consumed, the College may issue a written warning as documentation.
Graduate students, faculty members and staff members will use careful and loving discretion in any use
of alcohol. They will avoid the serving or consumption of alcohol in any situation in which
undergraduate members of the Wheaton College family are or are likely to be present.
Nontraditionally aged undergraduate students who are at least 25 years old at the time of their
matriculation to the College and who are living off campus (with no other undergraduate students) may
apply for graduate student privileges in relation to the College’s alcohol policy through an administrative
review with the Dean of Residence Life, Student Services Building, #218. The administrative review will
consist of submitting a written request for an exception and participating in an interview. If graduate
student privileges are granted to a nontraditionally aged undergraduate student and said student violates
the alcohol policy, then the privileges will be revoked for the duration of the student’s academic
experience.
The Student Handbook and Community Covenant prohibit the unlawful manufacture, sale,
distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances, as well as sharing, misusing, or
abusing over-the-counter or prescription drugs or any illegal drug while one is a student at Wheaton
College in accordance with federal, state, or local law. The College also prohibits the recreational use of
cannabis in states where it has become legalized, which effective January 1, 2020, includes the State of
Illinois.
Although possession and use of cannabis is no longer a crime in the State of Illinois, the possession and
use of cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Consistent with federal law, including the Controlled
Substances Act and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, the use and/or possession of cannabis
(smoked or edible) continues to be prohibited for all Wheaton students on or off campus. This includes
the use of synthetic cannabis (i.e., K2 or Spice or any other synthetic product which, when consumed
mimics the effects of cannabis).
In addition, smoking or vaping cannabidiol (CBD) is not allowed. Medically prescribed CBD oils and
creams are legal under federal law (e.g., consist of no more than 0.3% THC) and are also legal in any
state or locality where used.
In addition to illegal drugs, students are prohibited from using prescriptions other than their own and
substances that are meant to illicit feeling “buzzed”, high or intoxicated. The use of any substance to alter
one’s personality, behavior, physical or emotional state or to enhance academic or athletic performance
is prohibited.
Students in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension
or expulsion and referral for prosecution. (Please refer to the Student Conduct Policy in the Student
Handbook for details concerning the conduct process and list of possible sanctions.) In addition to
Wheaton College sanctions, violating Illinois and Federal laws may lead to fines and/or imprisonment.
The College expects that students will personally uphold their commitment to the Student Handbook
guidelines and the Community Covenant by refraining from the use of illegal drugs and alcohol while
they are enrolled, and to create living environments that are free from alcohol and illegal drug use. This
includes not having cooking wine/liquor or non-alcoholic beer in one’s space, as well as displaying drug
and alcohol paraphernalia or advertisements. Students who allow alcohol and/or illegal drugs into their
living spaces will be held accountable under the Student Conduct Policy. Additionally, Illinois law 235
ILCS 5/6-16(c) states, “Any person shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor where he or she knowingly
authorizes or permits a residence which he or she occupies to be used by an invitee under 21 years of
age, and the person occupying the residence knows that any such person under the age of 21 is in
possession of or is consuming any alcoholic beverage.” Furthermore, the illegal use of alcohol and/or
drugs can carry criminal penalties upon conviction, including the imposition of fines, community
service, probation, loss of license, and/or imprisonment. More details can be found here. Federal
penalties involving drugs can be found here beginning on page 36.
Be aware that alcohol and drugs affect each person differently. The health risks of drug and alcohol use
consist of physiological and psychological dependence, acute and chronic medical complications, and
erratic behavior (alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant). Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
can result in poor decision making or tragedy such as automobile fatalities. Additionally, alcohol and
drugs can be used as a tool of manipulation in the hands of a sexual perpetrator. A person who is
incapacitated due to alcohol or drug use cannot give consent. Being intoxicated or drunk is never a
defense a perpetrator can use to a complaint of sexual misconduct under the policy. Further health risks
associated with chemical use include (but not limited to) heart disease; cancer; obstructive lung
diseases; impaired judgment, coordination, and memory; organ damage; insomnia; paranoia; delusions
and hallucinations; seizure; elevated blood pressure; stroke; anxiety and mood disturbances; respiratory
depression; brain damage; coma; and death.
If a student is found to be under the influence and it is not clear if the student will be safe, the College
will call an ambulance to have the student properly assessed at the hospital. Students should call (911)
or Public Safety at (630-752-5911) for immediate assistance for someone under the influence whose
safety is at risk. Under the College’s Medical Amnesty Policy, a student who seeks professional
emergency assistance for him/herself, or for another student experiencing an alcohol and/or other drug
related emergency, will not be subject to disciplinary action under Wheaton’s Student Conduct Policy.
Students struggling with alcohol and/or drug use may contact the Wheaton College Counseling Center
to request help and to learn about drug and alcohol treatment options. The Wheaton College
Counseling Center is a free, confidential resource and is not connected to the Wheaton College conduct
process. The Counseling Center is located on the first floor of North Harrison Hall, #170 and may be
reached at 630-752-5321. Students can also access TAO (Therapy Assistance Online) which is an online
resource that has information about substance use and abuse. Students can sign up for TAO using their
Wheaton email address here. Students are also encouraged to utilize local Celebrate Recovery or
Alcoholics Anonymous groups as needed.
Bias Incident Policy and Procedure
Wheaton College aims to cultivate Christian character defined by humility, prudence, and temperance.
As followers of Christ, we are called to exercise our Christian freedom responsibly in holiness and
humility (Eph.1:4, Col. 3:12); to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1-3); to uphold justice,
mercy, and the equitable treatment of everyone (Mic. 6:8; Matt. 23:23; James 2:1-13); to edify one
another and build up the Body of Christ (Rom. 14:19; Eph. 4:11-16). Biased behavior, speech, and/or
expressions fundamentally violate this Christian calling and negatively impacts a person’s or group’s
experience at the College.
The College seeks to improve the campus climate by identifying and remediating incidents, whether by
facilitating restorative, reconciling conversations among campus stakeholders, or by invoking
disciplinary action when needed to help foster equality, and promote a sense of belonging for all by
efficiently and fairly addressing bias incidents.
Definition
A bias-related incident is an intentional or unintentional antagonistic physical, verbal, virtual, and/or
written behavior toward a person or group based on their protected class status as defined in the
College’s Nondiscrimination Policy. Some bias-related incidents may also constitute acts of
discrimination, harassment and/or bullying; in such cases, the incident will be adjudicated under the
applicable College policy and procedure.
The College encourages the reporting of bias-related incidents that are directed toward a person, or a
group based on a non-protected class status in the report form under the category, “other”.
Scope of Response
The instructions and procedures outlined in this policy are intended for Wheaton students, employees,
and other College community members (e.g., alumni, volunteers, parents, etc.). Persons not affiliated
with Wheaton College who experience a bias-related incident on Wheaton’s campus may also submit an
online report. Wheaton College may modify its response protocols, depending on the circumstances.
What should a student do if a bias incident is believed to have occurred?
The College encourages the reporting of suspected bias-related incidents involving Wheaton College
employees or students by completing a Bias Incident Report Form. Completing a report helps the
College offer support to individuals as well as respond to incidents in a way that can educate the
community and cultivate a healthier working and learning environment. Reports can be submitted by
those who experienced and/or witnessed a bias-related incident. Individuals submitting a report may
include their name and contact information or may submit the report anonymously. When reporters
identify themselves, the appropriate person can follow up to seek additional information and provide
referrals to needed resources. If a reporter chooses to remain anonymous, this may limit Wheaton’s
ability to fully address issues that are raised.
In making reports about bias-related incidents, it is helpful for the College to learn about the incident as
quickly as possible with as much information as possible. Information that can be useful (where
applicable) includes photographs; copies of emails or text messages; written transcriptions of verbal
comments made immediately after the incident; and names as well as contact information for witnesses
or others involved in an incident. When completing a report, please be as factually specific as possible;
details of incidents are more helpful for evaluation than labels or characterizations alone. Individuals are
encouraged to report bias-related incidents even if they have partial supporting information and/or
there is a significant time lapse between the incident and the report; these factors may affect the
College’s ability to respond to the incident. Similarly, individuals are encouraged to submit reports
about bias-related incidents even if they do not know who is responsible.
As a Christian community seeking to live out an ethic of care, Wheaton College community members
are also encouraged to practice gracious and conscientious bystander intervention. While attempting to
intervene in a situation may not always be appropriate (e.g., if there is a physical safety threat), at other
times, one of the most effective ways to counteract bias is to identify it immediately after it occurs.
Retaliation
Retaliation against an individual who makes a report or who participates in the information-gathering or
resolution of such a report is prohibited. Retaliation occurs when materially adverse action—including
reputational harm—is taken against an individual due to participation in the activity protected under
this policy.
Retaliation should be reported promptly to the Chief Human Resources Officer (for staff matters), Vice
President for Student Development (for student matters), and/or Provost (for faculty matters).
Complaints alleging retaliation will not be adjudicated under the Bias Incident Policy but under other
College policies.
College Response to a Submitted Report
Upon receipt of a bias incident report, College officials will review the report and determine necessary
measures to address the incident efficiently and fairly.
A reporter who provides his/her contact information and a person(s) about whom a report is made can
expect:
• The report to be evaluated for potential response under appropriate College policies other than
the Bias Incident Policy (e.g., harassment and discrimination or bullying);
• To be contacted by a College official, which creates an opportunity to further describe the
incident and discuss desired outcomes as well as procedural options;
• To receive information about College support resources; and
• To be notified of follow-up when appropriate (subject to limitations due to student and
employee privacy laws).
Wheaton College officials may consider both disciplinary and non-disciplinary responses to reports of
bias-related incidents. Responses may include educational activities and facilitated conflict-
conversations. Some of the primary objectives of bias-incident response include providing care, seeking
to restore relationships, education, conversation, and (where necessary) accountability. Where possible
and appropriate—and in keeping with the spirit of Matthew 18:15-20—the College will seek to
promote interpersonal engagement, leading to a positive resolution.
Coordination with College Offices
Bias reports that may implicate other College policies will be referred to the appropriate office to be
addressed. Reports of bias incidents involving staff or faculty may be referred to Human Resources or
the Provost as appropriate and addressed under the Employee Handbook and/or Faculty Handbook
through a person’s direct supervisor, department head, divisional dean, chief officer, or Vice President.
Confidentiality
College officials will seek to respect any request for confidentiality from a person who makes a report.
However, College officials may determine that it must disclose some or all the information it receives to
comply with legal requirements or processes, or to protect the health and safety of individuals. In
addition, responding to a report may result in other individuals learning about an incident; the College
cannot guarantee that other individuals who learn about bias-incident reports (e.g., the accused,
witnesses) will treat information as confidential.
Bullying Policy
The Wheaton College Community Covenant upholds the God-given worth of human beings, from
conception to death, as the unique image-bearers of God. There is no place within our community and
under the Community Covenant for bullying.
Bullying is defined as any persistent or repeated conduct that seeks to intimidate or coerce someone.
Examples of bullying behavior may include but are not limited to spreading false information, name-
calling, or belittling; ignoring, isolating, or segregating; glaring; physical acts of aggression; and/or
damage to property.
Some of the contexts where bullying may occur include, but are not limited to, public boards in campus
buildings, cell phone, websites, social media platforms, email, and/or through damage to property.
Harassment involves adverse treatment of a person because of his or her protected legal status and will
be addressed through the College’s Nondiscrimination Policies.
Alleged bullying should be communicated to a Student Development Dean. Alleged violations of the
Bullying Policy will be addressed through the Student Conduct Policy.
Bullying may subject the offender to interim action as described in the Student Conduct Policy.
Contraband Items Policy
Any items declared contraband by the State of Illinois or by the United States Government (including
but not limited to drugs, drug paraphernalia, fireworks, burglary tools, and illegal weapons) that are
discovered on campus, shall be seized by Wheaton College Public Safety or other College employees.
Depending on the nature of the situation, the Wheaton Police Department may be contacted.
Anything in plain view on or off campus that is contrary to the College’s policies that is observed or
discovered by a College employee should be communicated to the Dean of Residence Life. If a College
employee observes or discovers a Wheaton College student in possession of any item that is not illegal
contraband but is contrary to College policies (such as alcohol, marijuana paraphernalia, tobacco,
and/or a vaping device), the item may be seized and notice given to the Dean of Residence Life.
At the end of the fall semester, the residence life staff will check refrigerators to make sure they are
properly emptied and cleaned before Christmas break; anything discovered that is contrary to the
College’s policies will be communicated to the Dean of Residence Life.
Alleged violations of the Contraband Items Policy will be addressed through the student conduct
process. The College reserves the right to dispose of any seized contraband or items that are contrary to
community standards.
Dangerous Behavior Policy
The College prohibits dangerous behavior, which is behavior that is able or likely to inflict physical
injury.
Dangerous behavior examples include but are not limited to sledding down stairs, climbing the inside
and/or outside of a building; climbing a tree; rappelling down the outside of a building; throwing objects
outside from inside a building; or driving on a campus sidewalk, athletic field, or lawn.
Alleged violations of the Dangerous Behavior Policy will be addressed through the student conduct
process.
Students found in violation of the Dangerous Behavior Policy will receive a minimum $100 - $250 fine
and other possible conduct sanctions.
Beyond receiving a fine and a possible conduct sanction, students will be expected to pay for the
damaged property and any time and money spent on restoring it to its original condition.
Note: The Dean of Residence Life will consider allowing students to pay off a portion of a charge for
dangerous behavior by completing community service hours in a campus department, as an
accommodation for students able to demonstrate difficulty paying the entire charge.
Disruptive Behavior Policy
As described in the Wheaton College Community Covenant, all members of the student body share a
responsibility to cultivate a campus atmosphere that encourages spiritual, moral, and intellectual growth.
Therefore, disruptive behavior that prevents the effective execution of a College function or approved
activity (e.g., class, chapel, lecture, meeting, interview, ceremony, work in a campus office, performance,
etc.) is prohibited.
Examples of disruptive behavior include but are not limited to:
• Dominating behavior;
• Obstructing an entrance;
• Unapproved occupation of an internal or external campus space;
• Shouting or chanting;
• Refusing to leave when requested to do so by a Wheaton College employee, a Wheaton Police
Officer, or a Fire Department First Responder;
• Disrespecting and/or ignoring a College employee’s authority to direct student behavior;
• Blowing a horn (e.g., automobile, air, etc.) continuously while traveling through the campus
and/or near campus residences;
• Throwing food inside or outside campus buildings;
• Playing loud music after quiet hours begins;
• Generating continuous noise inside a public campus location above a conversational level;
• Damaging personal, city, or College property through pranks or vandalism; and
• Failing to identify one’s name when requested to do so by a College employee who believes that
this policy may have been violated.
Alleged disruptive behavior should be communicated to a Student Development Dean. Alleged
violations of the Disruptive Behavior Policy will be addressed through the student conduct process or
through the Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy.
Disruptive behavior may subject the offender to interim action as described in the Student Conduct
Policy.
Drone Policy
Drones are banned from all campus property and airspace due to safety concerns and in order to prevent
unwanted privacy intrusion. Permission to use a drone for a specific project/event must be obtained in
advance from Risk Management (legal.and.risk@wheaton.edu). A strict set of Risk Management
guidelines must be followed by students granted permission to use a drone. Students found with a drone
will be asked to take it home. If the student cannot immediately remove the device in question, it will be
confiscated. Students who do not comply with this policy may incur a fine and/or disciplinary action.
Gambling Policy
The Wheaton College Community Covenant is built on basic biblical standards for godly Christian
character and behavior. We understand that our calling includes acknowledging the Lordship of Christ
over all of life and thought. This involves a wholehearted obedience to Jesus and careful stewardship in
all dimensions of life: our time, our possessions, our God-given capacities, and our opportunities (Deut.
6:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 1:18; 3:17).
We believe these biblical standards will show themselves in a distinctly Christian way of life, an approach
to living we expect of ourselves and of one another. This lifestyle involves practicing those attitudes and
actions the Bible portrays as virtues and avoiding those the Bible portrays as sinful, such as greed and
materialism, which may manifest themselves in gambling. (1 Cor. 6:10; Rom. 13:9; James 2:1-13; 1 Tim.
2:8-10; Heb. 13:5-6).
Gambling is defined as the practice of risking money or other things of value in a game or bet and is
based on random short-term outcomes resulting in winners and losers. Gambling is also known to be an
addictive behavior that can negatively impact participants as well as a community. Examples of
prohibited gambling activity include, but are not limited to casinos, sports pools, lotteries (including
raffles), playing cards, or slots whether on-line or in person, where money is exchanged.
To invest, in comparison, is to commit money for another entity to use for purposes of producing goods
and services which can improve standards of living and benefit society. Although money can be lost,
most investors over time realize a return on their investment through meaningful work.
Alleged violations of the Gambling Policy will be addressed through the Student Conduct Procedure.
Resources for students who struggle with gambling include:
• 1-800-GAMBLER (National Problem Gambling Helpline)
• Gambler’s Anonymous
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Hazing Policy
As a Christian community, we want to honor Jesus Christ in our relationships with one another. Each
member of the College community, who acts in a covenant bond with others, should consciously strive
to maintain relationships which support, encourage, and help others. Hazing is a perversion of
Christian community and may be a crime under Illinois law.
1
Wheaton College will not tolerate
hazing, and the consequences for hazing will be determined through the Student Conduct Policy.
Participation or failure to intervene in hazing activities may lead to appropriate disciplinary action with
individuals, groups, or teams. The College’s Hazing Policy applies to all student groups, regardless of
official recognition.
Hazing Definition
Hazing is defined as any act on or off Wheaton College property by one student acting alone or with
others, directed against any other student(s) in a group to subject that student or students to abusive,
humiliating, harassing, degrading, or dangerous activities or behavior, which may include pranks. A
complete list of activities that would constitute hazing would not be possible, but the College classifies
hazing into three broad categories. Some hazing conduct may fall under multiple categories.
• Subtle hazing: Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between prospective or new
members and current members of the group or team and would cause a reasonable person
embarrassment or humiliation. Such behaviors are referred to as “subtle hazing” because they
are often viewed as inconsequential or harmless acts that members tolerate or participate in in
order to be part of the group or team. Examples include, but are not limited to:
o Requiring prospective or new members to perform or view undesirable activities or
duties not assigned to other members
o Personal servitude of others
o Deprivation of privileges granted to other members
o Assigning degrading, humiliating, or crass names or name calling
o Socially isolating prospective or new members or setting rules for members’ social
interactions
o Expecting certain items to always be in the prospective or new members’ possession
o Coercive blindfolding
• Harassment hazing: Behaviors or activities, in which members tolerate or participate in order
to be part of the group or team, that cause or are likely to cause emotional distress and/or
physical discomfort. Examples include, but are not limited to, expecting or pressuring
members to participate in or be subjected to:
1
720 ILCS 5/12c-50 states:
(a) A person commits hazing when he or she knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other
person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for purpose of induction or
admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution, if:
(1) the act is not sanctioned or authorized by the educational institution; and
(2) the act results in bodily harm to any person.
(b) Sentence. Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except that hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class
4 felony.
o Wearing embarrassing or humiliating attire
o Stunts or skits with humiliating or degrading acts
o Verbal abuse, embarrassment, humiliation, or ridicule
o Being expected to harass others
o Sleep deprivation or disruption
o Deception or fear of the unknown
o Threats or implied threats
o Altering body appearance (e.g., shaving of the head or any other part of the body)
o Degrading, embarrassing, or humiliating games or activities
o Unwanted restraint
o Mob activity that intimidates others
• Dangerous or severe hazing: Behaviors or activities, in which members tolerate or participate
in order to be part of the group or team, that cause or are likely to cause physical, emotional,
and/or psychological harm. Examples include, but are not limited to:
o Branding, tattooing, or piercing
o Forced, coerced, or pressured consumption of alcohol or drugs
o Forcible kidnapping
o Expecting participation in illegal activity
o Public nudity
o Forced exposure to the elements
o Beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault
o Forced, coerced, or pressured ingestion of vile substances or concoctions or other food
or drink
Any student-initiated activity that has not been reviewed through the consultation process described
below, which falls into one of the three categories of hazing that prospective, new, or current members
of a group or team are required or encouraged to participate in by virtue of their status as a prospective,
new, or current member presumptively constitutes hazing. Given the pressure to participate in an
activity that may be explicitly or implicitly present, an individual’s consent does not constitute
permission to engage in hazing activities or behaviors. Perceived, implied, or expressed consent of any
person toward whom an act of hazing is directed will not be an excuse to an allegation of hazing.
Student groups and teams should strive for welcoming activities that are positive, affirming, and
consistent with Wheaton’s Christ-centered expectations of its community. In planning activities, the
following questions should be considered:
• What purpose does the activity serve?
• How does the activity contribute to Wheaton’s mission to educate whole people to serve
Christ, church, and society as well as benefit the participating students?
• Is there a risk of physical harm or emotional distress?
• Has anyone ever been injured by this activity or a similar activity?
• Will the activity affect anyone outside of the group or team, including on social media?
• How could the activity be interpreted by individuals outside the group?
• If rituals and/or symbols are used in the activity, how could they be interpreted by individuals
outside the group?
Consultation Process for Activities to Ensure They Are Not Hazing
Recognizing that some traditions can be positive and affirming, but also that others have the potential
for perverting Christian community by crossing the line into activities that emphasize a power
imbalance or cause discomfort or even harm to group or team members, Wheaton has established a
consultation process for student groups and teams to ensure that student-initiated traditions or other
activities do not constitute hazing.
Student Development and the faculty or staff leader for each student group/team have a joint
responsibility to communicate the expectation of and the instructions for completing the consultation
process outlined below.
In order to engage consultation, a student group or team leader must submit a request in writing, at
least one month prior to the date of the proposed activity, and include the following information:
• The student/group/team making the request
• The date and time of the proposed activity
• Who will participate in the activity (e.g., only freshman, all members of the group/team, or
other subgroups)
• An explanation of all activities that will take place and how the event will be executed,
including the role(s) of current members or nonmembers
Requests may be submitted to [email protected].
A three-member Consulting Panel (the “Panel”) including the Dean of Residence Life and two
additional employees (one from outside and one from within the department making the request) will
serve as the consulting resources but will not include any employees who directly supervise or advise
the student groups or teams requesting consultation.
The Panel will review the written requests and will contact the request-maker with any questions
and/or a request for resubmission with modification if the initial request is not supported. The Panel
will examine the nature of the activity, its purpose, its potential impact, and whether it is consistent
with Wheaton’s Christ-centered expectations of the Wheaton community. The Panel’s feedback is
expected to be followed.
The Panel’s guidance applies only to the activities as described in the request and does not constitute
support for any modification of, deviation from, or addition to the activities included in the request.
Consultation will only need to be requested and received once as long as future implementation does
not deviate from the scope of the original request.
Reporting Hazing Incidents
It is a violation of the Hazing Policy for any student to fail to report a known or suspected incident of
hazing.
A known or suspected incident of hazing may be reported to the Dean of Residence Life in person at
the Residence Life Office (Student Services Building, 501 College Avenue), by phone at 630-752-
5427, in writing to reslife@wheaton.edu, or anonymously online at
www.wheaton.edu/ethicscomplaints (click “Make an online report through Lighthouse Services” on
the bottom right).
Limited Amnesty for Self-Reporting Hazing
Individual Self-Reporting
A student who reports activities and/or behaviors, including pranks, that may fall within the definition
of hazing and who cooperates fully in providing information related to hazing activity will be granted
amnesty for conduct related to the hazing even if his or her own conduct violated the Hazing Policy,
unless the conduct the student engaged in violates the dangerous hazing category or the College’s
Nondiscrimination Policies. A decision to grant amnesty for a self-report of a violation of the Hazing
Policy means that Wheaton will not independently pursue disciplinary action against the self-reporting
individual. Wheaton may, however, choose to require the student to engage in educational or
restorative action. But if any individual who is harmed by the hazing makes a complaint or if the
College previously learned of the incident from another source, the College will follow the process set
forth in the Student Conduct Policy.
Group or Team Self-Reporting
Members of a group or team who are concerned that some of their activities and/or behaviors,
including pranks, may violate Wheaton’s Hazing Policy should consult the Dean of Residence Life. A
group or team that fully discloses past or recent behavior in violation of the Hazing Policy will receive
assistance as the group or team develops a new plan to replace the activities in question. With this
disclosure, the group or team will be granted amnesty for the activities disclosed, unless the conduct
engaged in violated the dangerous hazing category or the College’s Nondiscrimination Policies. A
decision to grant amnesty for a self-report of a violation of the Hazing Policy means that Wheaton will
not independently pursue disciplinary action against the self-reporting group or team. Wheaton may,
however, choose to require the group or team to engage in educational or restorative action. But if any
individual who is harmed by the hazing makes a complaint or the College previously learned of the
incident from another source, the College will follow the process set forth in the Student Conduct
Policy.
Individuals, groups, or teams may only be granted amnesty for prior activities one time.
Wheaton College also offers amnesty for a student who seeks professional emergency assistance for
him/herself or for another student experiencing a medical emergency. For more information, see the
Medical Amnesty Policy.
Questions about amnesty from the Hazing Policy may be directed to the Dean of Residence Life.
Investigation and Conduct Resolution Process
Reported complaints of hazing will be investigated and resolved promptly as described in the Student
Conduct Policy. The investigation may include interviews with any complainants and witnesses and will
provide an opportunity for the accused student to share relevant information and evidence.
Wheaton requires that students comply with a spirit of cooperation, honesty, and integrity when asked
to participate in investigations and conduct meetings about alleged violations of College policy.
Students found to have lied, deceived, or obstructed the truth in an investigation or conduct meeting
will be considered in violation of the Noncompliance Policy and may be subject to disciplinary action.
Wheaton strictly prohibits retaliation against any person who in good faith reports a hazing incident or
in good faith participates in a hazing investigation or report resolution process. Encouraging or
assisting others to engage in retaliation also violates this policy. Retaliatory acts may include, but are
not limited to: acts or comments that are intended to discourage a person from engaging in activity
protected under this policy (e.g., self-reporting) or that would discourage a reasonable person from
engaging in activity protected under this policy; adverse changes in employment status or
opportunities; adverse academic action; adverse changes to academic, educational, and co-curricular
opportunities; harassment; intimidation; acts or comments intended to embarrass the individual; and
seeking to influence the participation or statements of parties or witnesses. Retaliatory conduct is
prohibited regardless of whether it occurs on or off campus, in person, or through social media, email,
or other form of communication, or whether it is committed by parties to the investigation, their
friends, their representatives, or any other person. Retaliation may be present against a person even
when the person’s allegations of hazing are not substantiated. Any concerns of retaliation should be
reported to the Dean of Residence Life. An individual that engages in retaliation will be subject to
disciplinary action.
If Wheaton determines at any stage of the conduct process that a student poses a serious threat to the
complainant, to self or others, or to the stability and continuance of the College’s operations, the
College may, in its sole discretion, require the student to move out of College housing, stop working as
a student employee on campus, withdraw or take an Involuntary Leave of Absence, or otherwise
restrict the student’s access to and movement about campus, which could include class attendance
and/or the opportunity to complete coursework. For more information, see the Student Conduct
Policy section on Interim Action.
Disciplinary Action
Following the completion of the conduct review process as described in the Student Conduct Policy,
individuals found to be organizers of, or participants in, hazing will be subject to disciplinary action.
Witnesses and/or bystanders who fail to intervene to stop the hazing incident from occurring and/or
individuals who fail to report a known or suspected incident of hazing may also be subject to
disciplinary action. The Dean of Residence Life , the Vice President for Student Development, or a
Hearing Panel for a “sensitive matter” has authority to impose sanctions including, but not limited to:
fines/restitution; community service; an oral warning; confiscation of prohibited property; a written
warning; behavioral requirements such as counseling, reflection papers, and letters of apology;
educational requirements; restrictions/reassignments; loss of participation and/or recognition;
suspension of activity; probation; withdrawal, suspension; and expulsion. For more information, see
the Student Conduct Policy section VI on Sanctions in Response to Student Misconduct.
In addition, an incident of hazing may result in discipline for an entire group or team. Group or team
sanctions may include, but are not limited to, loss of Wheaton privileges (including the use of Wheaton
facilities), educational requirements for group or team members, required additional oversight of
group or team activities, and temporary or permanent suspension of all team or group activities,
including loss or forfeiture of games or performances. If the Dean of Residence Life, the Vice President
for Student Development, or a Hearing Panel for a “sensitive matter” believes that group or team
misconduct may merit temporary or permanent suspension of all team or group activities, including
loss or forfeiture of games or performances, the decision whether to impose this sanction must be
referred to the Senior Administrative Cabinet. Factors for determining whether to discipline a group or
team include, but are not limited to, the percentage of the group or team who participated in the
incident, the percentage of the group or team who had knowledge of hazing and did not report it,
whether the members of the group or team cooperated with the College during the investigation, and
the impact of and harm caused by the activity.
In determining the appropriate discipline for an individual or student group or team, Wheaton will
consider the following factors:
• The seriousness of the alleged offense;
• The student’s or students’ response when confronted; and
• The student’s, group’s, or team’s conduct history.
Although not outcome determinative, Wheaton will also consider the impact of the incident on the
participating students as well as on the larger community.
Malicious Behavior Policy
Given the imperative to love our neighbors as ourselves found in Scripture and emphasized in the
Community Covenant, students are expected to avoid malicious behavior.
Malicious behavior is defined as communicating and/or demonstrating the intention or threat of harm
to a person(s).
Examples of contexts where malicious behavior may occur include, but are not limited to, public boards
in campus buildings, cell phone, websites, social media platforms, email and/or through damage to
property.
Alleged malicious behavior should be communicated to a Student Development Dean. Alleged
violations of the Malicious Behavior Policy will be held addressed through the Student Conduct
Procedure.
Beyond receiving a conduct sanction, students will be expected to pay for damaged property as well as
any time and money spent on restoring it to its original condition.
Malicious behavior may subject the offender to interim action as described in the Student Conduct
Policy.
Medical Amnesty Policy
Wheaton College is a drug- and alcohol-free community that expects each student to uphold the
boundaries identified in the Community Covenant and the Student Handbook while enrolled. The
College is committed to the health, well-being, and safety of every student.
The Medical Amnesty Policy applies to students who require immediate professional medical attention
due to consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. The fear of disciplinary action should not hinder the
appropriate medical response to address incapacitation from alcohol and/or drug use. Students in
danger or who are concerned for a peer’s well-being should call (911) or Public Safety at 630-752-5911
for immediate assistance.
A student who seeks professional emergency assistance for him/herself, or for another student
experiencing an alcohol and/or other drug related emergency, will not be subject to disciplinary action
under Wheaton’s Student Conduct Policy.
The student who is experiencing the medical emergency or the individual who reported the concern
should expect to have a follow up conversation with a staff person in student development to discuss the
incident as well as the support and care that need to be established. Under the Medical Amnesty Policy,
the College will refer students to the appropriate follow up post-emergency care resources.
Noncompliance Policy
Wheaton requires that students comply with a spirit of cooperation, honesty, and integrity when asked
to:
• Participate in investigations and conduct meetings about alleged violations of College policy;
• Participate in meetings regarding students’ safety or well-being; and
• Participate in meetings initiated by College employees.
Students who refuse to meet with College employees or who are found to have lied, deceived, or
obstructed the truth in an investigation or conduct meeting will subject to disciplinary action under the
Student Conduct Procedure.
Students are expected to comply with all Student Development requirements communicated to them
either through writing or after meeting with a Student Development staff member. Students who fail to
comply with a requirement will receive one or more of the consequences listed below:
• Additional outcomes listed in the Student Conduct Policy;
• Academic registration hold until requirements are completed; and/or
• Extended conduct outcomes (e.g., probation, registration hold) until requirements are
completed.
Students who fail to comply will receive written notification (to their my.wheaton.edu email and/or
College Post Office box) of their new or continued requirements.
Nondiscrimination Notice and Policy
Wheaton College serves Jesus Christ and seeks to enroll and hire individuals who have decided to follow
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as well as live according to biblical standards. The goal of campus life at
Wheaton College is to live, work, serve, and worship together as an educational community centered
around the Lord Jesus Christ. Our mission as an academic community is not merely the transmission of
information; it is the education of whole persons who will build the church and benefit society
worldwide “For Christ and His Kingdom.” Along with the privileges and blessings of membership in
such a community come responsibilities. The members of the Wheaton College campus community
consent to the responsibilities articulated in College polices and in the Wheaton College Community
Covenant.
Although many interpersonal conflicts and some forms of misconduct can be resolved without recourse
to a formal process and addressed by following the spirit and guidance found in Matthew 18:15-20, the
forms of harassment and discrimination governed by this policy may be legal matters for which both the
government and the College may require a formal process. This policy describes the prohibition of
unlawful discrimination and harassment of any kind and has been developed to honor biblical principles,
comply with federal and state law, and follow best practices for campus safety.
It is therefore the policy of Wheaton College to prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment
against any member of its community based on the individual's race (including traits associated with
race, such as hair texture and hairstyles), color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital status,
disability, age, military status, pregnancy (and pregnancy-related conditions), or any other consideration
made unlawful by relevant law, in matters of admissions, employment, housing, or in any aspect of the
educational programs or activities of the College. Sex-based harassment, sexual assault, dating and
domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and
by Wheaton College policy. Wheaton College also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing
discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or
external to the institution. As a Christ-centered institution, Wheaton College retains the right to make
employment, admission, and educational decisions based on an individual’s religious beliefs and
conduct consistent with the Wheaton College Statement of Faith, Community Covenant, and College
policies.
Any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the
educational, employment, residential, or social access, opportunities and/or benefits of any member of
Wheaton College community on the basis of the classes outlined above is in violation of this policy.
The College requires employees and strongly encourages individuals, including third-party bystanders,
to report incidents of discrimination and harassment.
To report information about or make a complaint of discrimination under Equity or Title IX, please file
a report on the Student or Employee Portal or use the reporting link. Inquiries about Equity or Title IX
may be referred to Wheaton College's Director of Equity and Title IX Coordinator (Beth Maas, located
in the Student Services Building at 418 Chase Street Wheaton, IL 60187, [email protected] and
630-752-7885), the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Public Indecency Policy
As a Christian Community whose desire it is to promote behavior that is consistent with the mission to
develop whole and effective Christians for Christ and His Kingdom, Wheaton College adheres to the
Criminal Law of Illinois prohibiting public indecency and public nudity which would fall under the
category Disorderly Conduct (Code: 720 ILCS 5/26-1 (a) (1)). Therefore, it is College policy that
nudity outside of the student’s room or restroom is considered public nudity. Any students participating
in these acts can expect a $100 fine and a disciplinary response.
Publishing or Distributing Course Materials Policy
Students may not publish, post, sell, or publicly distribute course materials without the written consent
of the course instructor. Course materials include, but are not limited to, the following: answer sheets,
assignments, audio recordings, lecture notes, presentation slides, tests, video recordings, and the work of
other students. Students who publish, post, sell, or publicly distribute course materials without the
written permission from the instructor may be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Conduct
Policy.
Alleged violations of this policy with be addressed by the faculty member in coordination with the Dean
of Residence Life.
Sexual Behavior Policy
Wheaton College believes that sexual intimacy was created by God to be an expression of love between a
woman and a man in the context of a life-long marriage commitment.
Sexual attraction is also viewed by the College as created by God and represents ongoing discipleship
opportunities given the relationship between sexual attraction and sexual behavior. In the section
Affirming Biblical Standards in the Community Covenant, the basic biblical standards outlined there
provide helpful perspectives and guidance related to discipling sexual attraction toward Godly Christian
character and behavior through the call to:
• Acknowledge the Lordship of Christ over all of life and thought;
• Love God with our whole being, and to love our neighbor as ourselves;
• Pursue holiness in every aspect of our thought and behavior;
• Exercise Christian freedom responsibly within the framework of God's Word, humbly
submitting to one another;
• Treat our own bodies, and those of others, with the honor due the very temple of the Holy
Spirit; and
• Participate in the worship and activities of the local church.
Therefore, all students, regardless of age, residency, or status, are expected to abstain from cohabitation
with the opposite sex, premarital sexual intimacy (specifically, the stimulation of the breasts or genitals),
any and all extramarital sexual behavior, as well as any and all same-sex sexual behavior (including same-
sex dating relationships, civil unions, or marriages).
Sexual behavior can include physical expressions of, written descriptions about, and/or visual images
suggesting sexual intimacy. Viewing pornography as well as sending nude or sexual images via any digital
platform are considered violations of this policy.
The College will respond to allegations of prohibited sexual behavior as described in this policy,
wherever it is observed or reported (including on social media). Alleged violations of the Sexual
Behavior Policy will be addressed through the student conduct process with grace-filled correction and
spiritual accountability.
Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence and
stalking do not fall within the purview of the Sexual Behavior Policy, but allegations may be reported to
the Director of Equity & Title IX Coordinator here.
Student Conduct Policy
I. Vision
Wheaton College desires that students pursue holy living described in the Community Covenant from a
heart of gratitude for the patience and kindness of God’s love in Christ Jesus. The Community Covenant
applies God’s truth in Scripture to foster a learning environment that educates the whole person for
Christ and His Kingdom through liberal arts and graduate programs. In voluntarily joining the Wheaton
College community, students are choosing to love God and each other with the patience and kindness
with which He loves them, which includes exercising freedom responsibly and with sensitivity to one
another’s needs; this kind of love is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. By joining the Wheaton
community, students also freely and willingly accept the responsibilities outlined in the Wheaton
College Community Covenant and Student Handbook.
As Christians, we too will fail at times to exercise freedom responsibly. These failures may be as a result
of an offense against God’s Word, an offense against the agreement made with members of the Wheaton
College community (i.e., Community Covenant), an offense against state and/or federal law, and/or an
offense against a Wheaton College policy in the Student Handbook.
Romans 12:5 says, “we belong to one another.” Therefore, members of the Wheaton College
community should expect fellow members to lovingly speak the truth about their offenses in a spirit of
encouragement to return to love and good deeds. The good news of the Gospel is that restoration
follows acknowledgement of wrongdoing. Wheaton believes we can show students God’s love and care
for them through the College’s response to their offenses against members of the College community
and/or against the College, in the spirit of guidance found in I Corinthians 6:1-8. Whenever appropriate,
the College’s response to a student offense against a member of the College community will include
encouragement to meet with the member(s) against whom an offense has been committed, in the spirit
of the guidance found in Matthew 18:15-20. The College views its responses to student offenses as
ministry opportunities, which the Lord can use for His glory and for students’ personal growth.
II. Introduction
Honoring one’s word to pursue the vision for holy life together described in the Community Covenant
and to hold each other accountable to the Student Handbook’s expectations is a shared responsibility for
every member of the community. However, disciplinary authority and responsibility for student
misconduct as defined in the Student Handbook has been delegated by the President to the Vice
President for Student Development and, in turn, to the Dean of Residence Life. Employees in Athletics,
Residence Life, and Student Engagement share in this disciplinary responsibility.
College personnel seek to humbly exercise their God-given authority with the aim of being redemptive
by: praying for and maintaining respect for individuals; seeking to be agents of the Holy Spirit by
providing students with the opportunity to learn and grow; giving direction and encouragement for
desirable behavior outlined in Scripture, the Community Covenant, and/or Student Handbook;
balancing justice and mercy in student conduct outcomes; and by promoting restoration between
individuals as well as between individuals and the community.
The College’s procedures for addressing academic misconduct by students are set forth in the Academic
Integrity Policy.
The Student Handbook outlines the College’s expectations related to student conduct. Students who
enroll as a student at Wheaton College agree to follow the student conduct expectations when classes are
in session and/or when participating in any College program on or off campus. Failure to follow the
student conduct expectations outlined in the Student Handbook will constitute student misconduct.
The College reserves the right to amend, withdraw, or replace the following procedures at its sole
discretion and without notice. The Vice President for Student Development and the Dean of Residence
Life also have the discretion to modify the following procedures at any time during a specific
investigation or adjudication, as circumstances warrant. Nothing contained in these procedures is
intended to create, or be interpreted as creating, any contractual rights on the part of any student.
Where the College determines that a report or complaint arguably implicates more than one type of
misconduct under the College's policies, Student Development will explore all such possibilities as part
of its initial investigation and determine, in its discretion, which investigation or adjudication procedure
shall apply to alleged misconduct. The College may also modify any applicable procedures during a
specific investigation or adjudication, as circumstances warrant.
III. Reporting Misconduct
Students are encouraged to self-report their own misconduct to a Dean in Student Development or to
the Athletics Director in an effort to seek help and support. The College encourages students to walk in
the freedom that can follow self-reporting misconduct. When a student self-reports to violating the
vision for holy life together described in the Community Covenant or a Student Handbook policy, the
College will respond with care and support resources as well as with a reduced consequence when
appropriate in order to honor the student’s acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
The Wheaton College Community Covenant states, “Keeping our covenant may also on occasion
require that we take steps to hold one another accountable, confronting one another in love as we work
together to live in faithfulness both to God's Word and to our own word. Such loving acts of
confrontation are at times difficult, but when performed in the right spirit (Gal. 6:1), they serve to build
godly character for both the individuals involved and the community (Matt. 18:15-17). Only in this way,
as we are willing to speak the truth in love, will we ‘grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ’
(Eph. 4:15).” If students address misconduct with each other and the misconduct stops, then a further
response from the College may not be necessary, depending on the nature of the offense.
If serious student misconduct comes to the attention of Student Development employees in Athletics,
Residence Life, or Student Engagement when classes are in session, and/or related to student
participation in any College program on or off campus, the information about the misconduct is
expected to be shared with the appropriate Student Development leader, either the Athletics Director,
the Dean of Residence Life, or the Dean for Student Engagement in an effort to foster communication
and consistency in the adjudication of potential Student Handbook policy violations by the Dean of
Residence Life.
Students conduct matters are considered confidential by College leaders and will only include College
employees not directly involved on a need-to-know basis.
If the misconduct relates to hazing, bullying, the production, sale and/or distribution of illegal
substances, or other serious policy violations, students and employees with knowledge are required to
contact the Dean of Residence Life in an effort to foster communication and consistency in the
response.
Misconduct related to discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual misconduct based on a protected
status, or related to child abuse or neglect, must be reported as provided in the College’s
Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures described in that document.
Misconduct by student employees during Christmas break and/or summer break when classes are not in
session and/or when students are not participating in a College program on or off campus will be
reported to Human Resources and adjudicated under the policies of the Employee Handbook under the
guidance of the student employee’s supervisor(s) and/or Human Resources. Adjudication outcomes of
student employee misconduct will be shared with the Dean of Residence Life, will become part of a
student’s conduct history, and may initiate additional requirements to report to other departments,
depending on the other expectations to which the student agreed (e.g., student leader, ROTC, academic
scholarship, athletics).
IV. Serious Misconduct
The Dean of Residence Life (or his or her designee) will determine whether alleged misconduct is
considered serious. Factors for determining whether alleged misconduct is serious include but are not
limited to:
• the impact of the behavior on the community;
• whether the behavior caused or could likely have caused physical, emotional, and/or
psychological harm;
• whether the behavior resulted in property damage;
• and/or whether the behavior was criminal in nature.
Alleged misconduct that could constitute a serious policy violation includes but is not limited to the
manufacture and/or distribution of any illegal drug, bullying, and dangerous or severe hazing.
The Dean of Residence Life should be consulted if a member of the Wheaton College community is
aware of alleged misconduct but is unsure if such misconduct is viewed as serious.
College responses to all alleged serious student misconduct will be facilitated and/or coordinated by the
Dean of Residence Life. Therefore, no team, group, staff member, or faculty member should take
independent action in an effort to address serious student misconduct internally.
V. Conduct Review
The College’s initial Conduct Review of alleged student misconduct reports that may violate the
Student Handbook or Community Covenant, whatever the source, will be administered by the Dean of
Residence Life (or his/her designee) as determined by the College in its discretion.
Residence Directors have the authority to review student misconduct that has not been identified as
serious by the Dean of Residence Life.
Other College personnel (e.g., the student’s RD/GRA/RA, coach, faculty advisor, or supervisor) may be
invited by the Dean of Residence Life and/or by the student to attend the conduct review. The presence
of a faculty or staff member is designed to provide the student with a support person during the meeting
and after the conclusion of the Conduct Review.
The goal of the initial meeting is to gather information regarding the situation, and to allow the
student(s) to share his/her own information and perspective on how the situation occurred (or whether
the situation occurred as reported). The initial review may include an interview with the complainant or
other witnesses and may include a request for a written statement from the student. Student(s) will be
given the opportunity to share any information that may support their perspective. Students are
expected to engage the investigation process with truthful cooperation when asked to discuss their
behavior and/or the behavior of others they may have witnessed; a lack of cooperation may lead to a
student being held accountable through the Noncompliance Policy.
At the end of the initial review, the student is typically informed about the next step in the conduct
process.
If the College representative who conducts the initial review determines that there may have been one or
more violations of College policy, the conduct process will continue as outlined below or be referred to
another College adjudication process, depending on what policy may have been violated.
The Dean has the freedom, at any time, to refer a matter to the Hearing Panel for Student Conduct, even
if the student wishes to have the matter resolved during the Conduct Review.
In addition, the College reserves the right to designate certain matters as a “sensitive matter”. A sensitive
matter is designated when allegations involve information that is highly private and sensitive to the
respondent and/or witnesses.
VI. Standard of Proof
The College uses the preponderance of evidence standard of proof when determining if a policy
violation occurred. The preponderance standard of evidence means that the facts/evidence is more
probable (51% or greater likelihood) than not to be true.
VII. Interim Action
If the College determines at any stage that a student(s) participating in a conduct review poses a threat
to the complainant, to self or others, or to the stability and continuance of the College’s operations, the
College may, in its sole discretion, require the student to move out of College housing, withdraw or take
a leave of absence, or otherwise restrict the student’s access to and movement about the campus, which
could include class attendance and/or the opportunity to complete coursework. Any such interim action
shall become effective immediately upon delivery of oral and/or written notification to the student. Such
an interim action shall not affect the student’s right to a prompt review consistent with the Conduct
Review and Hearing Panel for Student Conduct provisions set forth in these procedures. Such interim
action shall continue until rescinded by Student Development and communicated in written or oral form
to the student. Suspected acts of criminal misconduct may also be reported to law enforcement
authorities.
VIII. Felony Charges
If a student is charged with a felony, the student will be ineligible to participate in co-curricular and/or
extracurricular activities, including but not limited to athletics, conservatory, and leadership positions,
until the felony charges are resolved, at the earliest. The student’s employment on campus may also be
impacted by a felony charge.
IX. Hearing Panel for Student Conduct Membership
The Hearing Panel for Student Conduct shall be composed of at least three but not more than five
members (to be drawn from faculty, staff, and enrolled students). Graduate students will be on panels
involving graduate student situations.
The appointment for faculty Hearing Panel members shall be made by the Provost’s Office for two-year
terms with staggered terms. The Vice President for Student Development will appoint staff for staggered
two-year terms. Undergraduate Student Government and Graduate Student Council, respectively, shall
appoint student Hearing Panel members and alternates for one-year terms, with discretion to renew
such appointments for one additional year. Terms of appointment shall begin on July 1. Should any
faculty, staff, or student serving on the Hearing Panel withdraw or be removed from the Hearing Panel
during his or her term, the appropriate office mentioned above will appoint a new member to serve out
the conclusion of that member's term.
Full-time faculty members with tenure track appointments and full-time staff members are eligible to
serve on the Hearing Panel. Full-time students are eligible to serve on the Hearing Panel if, at the time of
appointment and at all times during their service they, (i) maintain "good standing" as defined by
College policy, (ii) have a minimum grade point average of 2.30, (iii) are not on chapel probation, and
(iv) are under no sanctions under any College policy. A student member who becomes ineligible shall be
removed from the Hearing Panel by the Chairperson and replaced with another student chosen by
Student Government; however, an ineligible student member need not be removed from the Hearing
Panel during an ongoing proceeding and may continue to serve on the Hearing Panel until the Hearing
Panel renders its written decision to the Dean in that proceeding, if the Hearing Panel Chairperson so
decides in his or her discretion.
X. Hearing Panel for Student Conduct Procedures
The Hearing Panel for Student Conduct hears information referred to it by the Dean of Residence Life
or appealed to it by students following a conduct review; collects, reviews, and determines facts; and
makes a decision.
In implementing the following procedures, the College shall make reasonable efforts to uphold the
following considerations relative to the hearing procedure and the interests of the parties as follows:
1. Written notice of allegations and a reasonable time for response to the allegations shall be
provided to the respondent and, where appropriate, to the complainant as well.
2. A timely hearing shall be conducted consistent with the circumstances of the particular case;
however, any Dean within Student Development has the authority to postpone a hearing
procedure in the Dean's sole discretion.
3. The proceedings will be conducted according to the Hearing Panel Procedures then in effect.
4. Any member of the Hearing Panel may be removed prior to the hearing upon request of either
the complainant or the respondent, provided that the party making the request can demonstrate
that the member is biased (an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or
against a person or thing)., prejudiced (having or showing an unfair dislike of a person or
group because of some characteristic), or otherwise inappropriate to serve on the Hearing
Panel in the particular case due to a conflict of interest. The College considers a person to have a
conflict of interest if he or she has existing or potential interests which compete with or might
reasonably appear to compete with his or her independent and unbiased judgment in the matter.
Prior to the hearing, the Dean of Residence Life will provide the Hearing Panel names to the
parties and provide an opportunity for the parties to share any concerns regarding conflicts of
interest; the final decision on whether such a conflict disqualifies a proposed Hearing Panel
member will be made by the Dean or Residence Life or his/her designee. If during the hearing a
new bias, prejudice, or conflict of interest claim arises the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel shall
make the final decision with respect to any such request. (If such a removal request is made with
respect to the Chairperson, the remaining members of the Hearing Panel shall delegate to
another faculty or staff member on the Hearing Panel the authority to rule upon that request.)
5. A member of the Hearing Panel may also decline on his or her own initiative to serve during a
particular hearing if, in the member's opinion, a conflict of interest exists with respect to his or
her participation. Where a faculty member, a staff member or a student member on the Hearing
Panel is removed or withdraws from service in a particular matter, a designated alternate faculty
member will be appointed by the Dean of Residence Life from the pool of faculty members
approved by the Provost’s Office, from the pool of staff approved by the Vice President for
Student Development, or from the pool of students approved by Undergraduate Student
Government and Graduate Student Council, respectively.
6. The Hearing Panel shall elect its Chairperson, who shall be a faculty or staff member and who
shall serve as Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be a voting member.
7. The Chairperson shall have the responsibility of facilitating the work of the Hearing Panel by
working cooperatively with the Dean of Residence Life.
8. The Dean of Residence Life will attend a Hearing Panel meeting, organized in response to a
Dean’s referral, as a resource to Hearing Panel members.
9. In situations where the Dean of Residence Life refers a conduct matter to a Hearing Panel, all
available witnesses identified by the respondent(s) and the complainant should appear before
the parties and Hearing Panel and be heard and questioned during the course of a hearing. The
Chairperson of the Hearing Panel has full discretion with regard to the number of witnesses or
the subject matters of witness testimony, and the Chairperson may also limit questioning to
prevent irrelevant questioning or harassment, intimidation, or embarrassment of witnesses.
10. Student hearings are intended to be informal. It shall be the College’s burden of proof to
establish the student’s misconduct. Irrelevant or immaterial information may be excluded by the
Chairperson.
11. Respondent(s) and complainants will be given an opportunity to provide brief opening and
closing statements, as directed by the Chairperson.
12. In Hearing Panels adjudicating alleged violations of College policy where there are multiple
parties, respondent(s) and complainant(s) will have an opportunity to submit written clarifying
questions to the Chairperson, who will ask the questions. Hearing Panelists may ask clarifying
questions throughout the hearing.
13. In addition, where a witness is unwilling to appear, where privacy rights or litigation interests
may be compromised, or where modification of this procedure is found by the Chairperson to
be in the best interests of the College community, the Chairperson may modify the procedures
and design an alternative method of questioning that will elicit the most useful information for
the Hearing Panel under the circumstances. Where the Chairperson deems such modifications
appropriate, witnesses may, for example, be questioned only by the Hearing Panel and not by
the parties directly, be examined using technology rather than requiring a witness's personal
appearance before the panel and/or the parties, give information via technology, or be
questioned using any other procedure deemed appropriate by the Chairperson, after
consultation with the Hearing Panel and parties, in the Chairperson's sole discretion.
14. Hearings shall be closed to the campus and greater community other than the parties, support
persons, Hearing Panel members, and any witness giving testimony at the particular time.
15. The parties may be accompanied to the hearing by one non-attorney support person, who may
participate for the sole purpose of giving advice or assistance to the student; the support person
shall not participate directly in the hearing or speak to the Hearing Panel on behalf of the
student. The Hearing Panel reserves the right to proceed regardless of a particular support
person’s availability, and it is not a right that the non-attorney support person is present in
person, as technology can be used to have them there to provide support. Support persons are
likewise expected to maintain the privacy of any records shared during the hearing process. Such
records may not be shared with third parties, disclosed publicly, or used for purposes not
explicitly authorized by the College. The Hearing Panel may restrict the role of any support
person who fails to observe the College’s limits on participation in the proceedings or the
College’s privacy expectations. Consultation with support persons during the hearing will be
subject to the consent of and limitations imposed by the Hearing Panel Chairperson.
16. The respondent and complainant shall inform the Hearing Panel in writing within five (5) days
before the beginning of the hearing whether they intend to be accompanied by a non-attorney
support person and identify their respective support persons.
17. Any persons exhibiting disruptive, disrespectful, or other inappropriate behavior may be
excluded from the hearing by the Chairperson.
18. The Hearing Panel will have access to previous conduct records of the respondent(s) and any
other student witness involved in the hearing.
19. The Hearing Panel may provide for separate hearings if a single incident gives rise to allegations
against more than one person. The Hearing Panel may also hear all such allegations in a single
proceeding with the express written consent of all parties or as otherwise permitted by law.
20. The precise format of any hearing remains within the Chairperson's discretion and may vary
depending upon the circumstances of the particular case.
21. The Chairperson may call for a recess during a hearing or after a hearing if the complexity of the
situation and the number of details are too numerous to make an appropriate decision during
the allotted time. In this situation the student will be informed of when the continued session will
take place and the approximate timeline of when a decision will be made.
22. The Hearing Panel shall close the hearing and meet in executive session to make a decision by
majority vote to uphold or overturn the Conduct Review decision. Should the outcome be to
change or overturn the Conduct Review decision, the Hearing Panel will formulate an
appropriate disciplinary response (but in no event shall the disciplinary response be more severe
than that imposed during the Conduct Review) and review their findings and sanctions with the
Dean of Residence Life for clarity and consistency.
23. The Hearing Panel's decision shall be forwarded to the Dean of Residence Life within a
reasonable amount of time after the conclusion of the hearing. The Dean will provide the parties
with the Hearing Panel’s decision.
24. The Hearing Panel’s outcome will not go into effect until the student(s) either accepts the
outcome or until the final appeal decision is made by the Vice President or his/her designee(s).
However, based on the nature of the matter discussed, the Hearing Panel has the ability to
implement interim sanctions before the outcome of the final appeal is determined.
XI. Appeal Procedures
1. A student complainant or respondent may appeal the College’s response after a Conduct
Review to the Hearing Panel for Student Conduct (“Hearing Panel”). Appeal requests are
limited to the following grounds:
a. A procedural [or substantive] error occurred that significantly impacted the outcome of
the hearing (e.g., substantiated bias, material deviation from established procedures,
etc.).
b. To consider new evidence, unavailable during the original hearing or investigation, that
could substantially impact the original finding or sanction. A summary of this new
evidence and its potential impact must be included.
c. The sanctions imposed are substantially outside the parameters or guidelines set by the
College for this type of offense or the cumulative conduct record of the responding
student.
2. A student who wishes to appeal shall submit a letter of appeal stating objections and providing
any supporting materials within five (5) business days of receiving the decision of the Dean of
Residence Life overseeing the Conduct Review.
3. Student Development will communicate the student’s decision to appeal and all materials
deemed relevant by Student Development to the Hearing Panel. Relevant materials may include
but are not necessarily limited to the student’s appeal letter, the Conduct Review decision and
rationale for disciplinary action, any relevant information, and the student’s disciplinary history.
To the extent permitted by relevant law, the appeal and relevant materials will be made available
to the complainant and the complainant will be provided the opportunity to submit a written
response and supporting documentation. The burden of proof to demonstrate the grounds for
appeal lies with the party requesting the appeal.
4. The purpose of the Hearing Panel will be to review the Conduct Review in light of the reasons
for appeal in order to determine if the decision should be upheld or to determine how the
decision should be modified; in no event shall an appeal result in a more severe sanction than any
sanction given following the Conduct Review.
5. The Hearing Panel shall conduct a hearing, reach a decision by majority vote, and prepare a
written explanation of its decision. The chair of the Hearing Panel shall forward the Hearing
Panel's written decision, the record of proceedings, and any related documents to the Dean of
Residence Life.
6. The Dean will contact the student(s) with the final decision of the Hearing Panel. A copy of the
Hearing Panel’s written decision will be provided to the student.
7. A decision by Hearing Panel may then be appealed to the Vice President for Student
Development by the accused student within five (5) business days of the student's receipt of the
Hearing Panel's decision. Appeal requests are limited to the three reasons mentioned at the
beginning of this section. The student(s) shall submit to the Vice President for Student
Development, in writing, specific objections to the previous decision and any material the
student deems relevant to the appeal. The Dean shall also provide the Vice President for Student
Development the record of the case previously forwarded by the Hearing Panel, any records
maintained by Student Development relating to the matter being appealed, and any other
materials the Dean deems relevant to the appeal.
8. The Vice President for Student Development shall render a written decision on the appeal,
based upon the materials provided by the student making the appeal as well as any other
information the Vice President deems relevant. The Vice President for Student Development
shall notify the student of his or her final decision in writing. The decision of the Vice President
for Student Development is not subject to further appeal.
9. The Hearing Panel will not be available during the final three weeks of each semester or during
the summer due to scheduling challenges. In the event the Hearing Panel is not available, student
appeals will be made directly to the Vice President for Student Development and will be the
student’s final level of appeal.
XII. Hearing Panel for Sensitive Matter
Certain allegations are more likely to involve information that is highly private and sensitive to the
respondent and/or witnesses. In such circumstances, the College retains the option to configure the
Hearing Panel differently from the procedures described in Section IX and to otherwise invoke hearing
procedures intended to protect the privacy interests and respect the dignity of all parties concerned to
the fullest extent possible. Such a matter is referred to as a “sensitive matter.”
The Hearing Panel for a “sensitive matter” shall be composed of only faculty and staff members, with the
student members of the Hearing Panel excused from service for that particular case. The Vice President
for Student Development will appoint the other Hearing Panel members for a “sensitive matter,”
including faculty and staff members. The Hearing Panel for a “sensitive matter” will not include any staff
or faculty members who directly oversee student groups or teams related to any of the parties.
If a matter is going to be identified as a sensitive matter, Student Development will do so prior to
transmitting the matter to the Hearing Panel. Student Development shall inform the Chair of the
Hearing Panel that this is a sensitive matter that involves a non-student Hearing Panel. If necessary,
designated alternate faculty members will be called for purposes of adjudicating the particular sensitive
matter at issue.
The procedures used for sensitive matters shall conform as closely to the procedures set forth in Sections
IX and X as the Hearing Panel deems appropriate. With respect to sensitive matters, the Chair of the
Hearing Panel and the Hearing Panel are encouraged to exercise their discretion to modify the
procedures used, for the purpose of balancing the need for full and fair adjudication of serious offenses
against the need to protect the privacy rights of participants and the dignity of complainants and accused
students alike.
XIII. Sanctions in Response to Student Misconduct
If the Dean has determined through a Conduct Review that a violation of a College policy or the
Community Covenant has occurred, the Dean will then determine an appropriate sanction and may
offer to orally explain to the student the details of the response. Most conduct sanctions given by a Dean
will be followed with written notification to the student.
If a Hearing Panel has determined a violation of a College policy or the Community Covenant has
occurred after considering a matter referred to it by the Dean, the Hearing Panel has authority to assess
the sanction(s) which it deems are in the best interests of the student(s) and the institution. The
conduct sanctions given by a Hearing Panel will be provided to the Dean who will communicate the
outcome to the student.
In cases involving serious policy violations, a Hearing Panel for a “sensitive matter” (See Section XI), will
be appointed to determine the appropriate sanction in response to the misconduct.
If the Hearing Panel for a “sensitive matter” believes that group or team misconduct may merit
temporary or permanent suspension of all team or group activities, including loss or forfeiture of games
or performances, whether to impose this recommended sanction must be referred to the Senior
Administrative Cabinet for a final decision.
Factors to be considered in determining sanctions for student misconduct include but are not limited to
the seriousness of the alleged offense, the student’s response when confronted, and the student’s conduct
history.
Although not outcome determinative, the College will also consider the impact of the conduct on
individuals as well as on the larger community.
Before determining the appropriate response, the decision-maker will seek to understand the student
from the perspective of those employees who oversee the student’s living environment, coursework,
and/or co-curricular involvement, respectively. If the decision-maker is a Hearing Panel considering a
matter referred to it by the Dean, the Hearing Panel will consult the Dean for input to understand past
sanction decisions in similar circumstances.
College sanctions are independent of other responses that may be imposed as a result of any civil action
or criminal prosecution. The sanctions listed in this section are not exhaustive but are merely designed
to serve as guidelines. Responses may be imposed in any combination.
The following are examples of possible sanctions in response to misconduct:
Fines/Restitution. A student may be subject to fines for rule violations and certain behaviors, particularly
those causing harm to property, expense to the College, or disruption to the processes of the College.
Forfeiting Student Leadership position. Wheaton College views student leadership as a privilege and honor.
Student leader misconduct when not attending classes (e.g., Christmas break and summer break), when
not participating in a College program (e.g., mission trip, study abroad, music tour), and/or when not
actively fulfilling an agreement to serve, may result in the student leader forfeiting her/his position for the
following academic year.
Community Service. Some students will be required to serve the College or another entity without
compensation as a response to a violation or to repair any damages that occurred.
Oral Warning. A personal conversation will be facilitated with the student to discuss inappropriate
behaviors or attitudes.
Confiscation of Prohibited Property. Items that are in violation of College policy will be confiscated.
Prohibited items may be returned to the owner at the discretion of the Dean of Residence Life or Public
Safety.
Written Warning. A student may be subject to an official written warning regarding a specific incident or
violation. Students may be asked to notify their parents and/or other adults important in their lives and
may also be asked to complete community service hours or fulfill other responses the Deans feel are
valuable for the student’s growth. A temporary record is kept. A written warning documenting
misconduct in violation of state or federal laws will be permanently retained in a confidential file after
the student graduates.
Behavioral Requirement. This includes required activities including, but not limited to, seeking a mentor,
counseling, substance abuse screening, writing a letter of apology, etc.
Educational Requirement. Requirement to attend, read, write, present and/or participate in a program
related to the violation.
Restrictions/Reassignment. The College may impose visitation and/or no contact restrictions or otherwise
restrict or limit a student’s movement on campus for individuals who are in violation of specific policies.
The College also reserves the right to reassign student housing, restrict a student from attending some or
all their courses in person, and/or withdraw a student from one or more courses.
Parent Notification. A Student Development Dean may require a student to notify her/his parents of
misconduct. In turn, the student will be expected to direct her/his parents to contact the Dean for a
discussion about the misconduct. The reasons for this procedure are two-fold. First, a student’s parents
are still a primary God-given means of accountability. If parents do not know about their student’s
misconduct, they are not in the best position to offer encouragement, counsel, and prayer. Second, a
conversation between a student’s parents and a Dean minimizes the potential of any surprises in the
future should any further disciplinary action be necessary.
Loss of Participation and/or Recognition. The College may determine that a student(s) or an entire roster
of participants involved in a competitive team (e.g., varsity sport, club sport, debate, mock trial, etc.), a
performance-oriented group (e.g. music ensemble, theater, dance, etc.), student employment, volunteer
role, and/or a student leadership position is prohibited from participating for a designated period of
time or for the remainder of an academic year(s). The College may also determine that any or all the
awards the student(s) received from the College for that year may be retracted.
Suspension of Activity. The student(s) or an entire roster of participants is involuntarily separated from a
competitive team or an artistic ensemble (e.g., varsity athletic team, club sport team, student organization,
student club, music ensemble, theater) for a specified length of time.
Probation. The student is permitted to remain on campus with particular conditions specified.
• Special housing approvals, participation in varsity sports, and other co-curricular privileges are
likely to be affected at the discretion of a Student Development Dean, Vice President, or a
Hearing Panel.
• Probation can impact one’s ability to represent the College, including participating in study
abroad programs, athletic participation, attending conferences, or representing the College at an
official function, etc.
• Student leader misconduct when attending classes, when participating in a College program,
and/or when actively fulfilling an agreement to serve, may result in disciplinary probation and
other potential outcomes. If student leader misconduct results in disciplinary probation, the
student leader will forfeit her/his position.
• Students may be asked to notify their parents,
• A permanent record is kept.
Withdrawal. The student is permitted to withdraw without privilege of returning until time specified by a
Student Development Dean.
Suspension. The student is involuntarily separated from the College for a specified length of time, which
means the student is involuntarily withdrawn from classes, is required to move out of campus housing,
and is not allowed to visit campus. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their parents. A record is
kept in the student’s permanent record.
Expulsion. The student is permanently separated from the College with appropriate documentation of the
reasons for such termination in the student's permanent record, which means the student is involuntarily
withdrawn from classes, is required to move out of campus housing, and is permanently prohibited from
visiting campus. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their parents. A record is kept in the student’s
permanent record.
XIV. Hearing Panel Meeting Procedures
The Hearing Panel for Student Conduct hears information referred to it by the Dean of Residence Life
or appealed to it by students following a conduct review; collects, reviews, and determines facts; and
makes a decision. The Chairperson may adapt the procedures below as needed.
1. The Chairperson shall convene the Hearing Panel and preside over the hearing.
2. The Chairperson, or his/her designee, shall be responsible for keeping a record of the hearing.
3. The Chairperson shall inform all parties of their responsibilities regarding honesty respect for
others, and the maintenance of order. Furthermore, the Chairperson shall stress the need for
confidentiality and explain that there shall be no direct communication between the parties and
the Hearing Panel members about the case outside of the Hearing Panel for Student Conduct
meeting.
4. At the hearing, the Chairperson shall read the allegation(s) and the outcome of the Conduct
Review (if hearing an appeal) and ask the respondent(s) to respond. If any respondent is absent
or refuses to reply, it shall be assumed that the student disagrees with the allegation(s) made
and/or the sections imposed.
5. A faculty, staff, or student who is bringing the matter forward (hereafter referred to as the
complainant), and the respondent(s) may make opening statements, which shall inform the
Hearing Panel of the information to be presented and provide a general overview of each party's
positions with respect to the issues in the case.
6. The complainant may present witnesses and other information, with the respondent(s) then
being able to question the complainant and any other witnesses presented by the College. The
complainant may question each witness again after the student(s) has/have finished
questioning. The Chairperson shall also have the discretion to allow additional questioning of
the witness at a party's request.
7. Members of the Hearing Panel may question any witness presented by the complainant at any
time during the witness's appearance before the Hearing Panel.
8. The Chairperson shall make the final decision with respect to any disputes regarding the
relevance and admissibility of information.
9. The respondent(s) may then present witnesses and information in an effort to defend against
the allegations and the information presented by the complainant. The complainant may
question the respondent(s) any witnesses presented by the respondent(s). The respondent(s)
may question each witness again after the complainant has finished questioning the witness. The
Chairperson shall also have the discretion to allow additional questioning of the witness at a
party's request.
10. Members of the Hearing Panel may question any witness presented by the respondent(s) at any
time during the witness's appearance before the Hearing Panel.
11. Following the conclusion of the appearances by all witnesses on behalf of the respondent(s), the
Chairperson shall offer the complainant and accused student(s) a final opportunity to present
any further information pertaining to the case and to deliver brief closing statements, in which
they summarize the information submitted and make arguments, based upon the information
submitted during the Hearing.
12. The Chairperson may call for a recess during a hearing or after a hearing if the complexity of the
situation and the number of details is too numerous to make an appropriate decision during the
allotted time. In this situation the student will be informed of when the continued session will
take place and the approximate timeline of when a decision will be made.
13. The Hearing Panel shall close the hearing and meet in executive session to make findings of facts
based upon a preponderance of the evidence. The Hearing Panel shall also make a decision by
majority vote regarding the appropriate sanction and College response for any misconduct
determined to have taken place. The Hearing Panel's written findings of facts and decision shall
be forwarded to the Dean of Residence Life within a reasonable amount of time after the
conclusion of the hearing.
14. The Dean will contact the student to communicate the Hearing Panel’s decision.
Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Wheaton College’s technology infrastructure exists to support the organization and activities needed to
fulfill the organization’s mission. Access to these resources is a privilege that should be exercised
responsibly, ethically and lawfully.
The purpose of this Technology Acceptable Use Policy is to clearly establish the College’s position
relating to the acceptable use of its technology and the role each member of the organization has in
protecting its information resources.
This policy applies to all users of technology resources owned, managed or otherwise provided by the
organization. Individuals covered by this policy include, but are not limited to, all employees and service
providers, students, guests and anyone else with access to the organization’s technology and information
resources and/or facilities. Technology and information resources include all Wheaton College-owned,
licensed, or managed hardware and software, email domains, and related services and any use of the
organization’s network via a physical or wireless connection, regardless of the ownership of the
computer or device connected to the network.
The full Technology Acceptable Use Policy can be found here.
Tobacco and Nicotine Policy
While enrolled in Wheaton College or participating in a Wheaton-sponsored program, undergraduate
members of the community will refrain from the use of tobacco in all settings.
The College also prohibits the use of any device that has traces of tobacco and nicotine in it. These items
include, but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, hookah, vaping devices,
nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes (JUUL).
Any nicotine, tobacco or smoking paraphernalia confiscated will not be returned to the student.
Alleged violations of the Tobacco and Nicotine Policy will be addressed through the student conduct
process.
Violent Behavior Policy
The College prohibits violent behavior, which is behavior that causes physical harm to a person.
Alleged violent behavior causing should immediately be communicated to the Wheaton Police (911) or
to Wheaton College Public Safety (630.752.5911) if the closest building address on campus is not
known, and then to a Student Development Dean. Alleged violations of the Violent Behavior Policy will
be addressed through the Student Conduct Procedure.
Violent behavior may subject the offender to interim action as described in the Student Conduct Policy.
Visitation Policy
One of the purposes of the Community Covenant is to give Wheaton College Biblically based direction
in cultivating a campus atmosphere that encourages spiritual, moral and intellectual growth. How and
where female and male students interact and relate to each other has the ability to contribute to a
campus atmosphere that encourages spiritual, moral, relational and intellectual growth.
Wheaton College Visitation Policy is intentionally designed to foster solid floor community, as well as
encourage low pressure female and male student interactions that allow for healthy friendships to be
formed over time. We purposefully want to provide floors and apartments the opportunity to have set
apart time to develop close friendships within their floor/apartment communities and also provide space
and set apart times for guests to visit and be invited into those spaces. Students in violation of the
Visitation Policy are subject to disciplinary action because of the College's care and concern for how
female and male students relate to one another and because a surprise after hour visitor can have an
impact on the floor community as well. Repeat violations will result in probation and or loss of visitation
privileges for a period of time.
Residence Halls
All exterior doors in the residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, which can be accessed by a student’s
ID. Residence Halls have main-floor and lower-level public lobbies where students can socialize and/or
study together. Fischer Hall and McManis-Evans have small lobby areas outside each elevator landing
for additional community space. The lower-level lobbies in Fischer and Smith-Traber turn down the
lights at 11pm, though students are free to continue to spend time together in those spaces. Open floors
(only certain individual floors being open within a residence hall) and open halls (all floors in the
residence hall being open) provide opportunities to practice hospitality and spend time with friends of
the opposite gender. Residence Directors give prior authorization for these events, and RAs must be
present to monitor and check all rooms. All room doors of those participating in an “Open” event must
remain wide open. “Open” events are limited to 7 pm—10 pm Sunday-Thursday and 7 pm—11:00 pm
Friday and Saturday. Guests of the opposite sex are only allowed on residence hall floors during the
evening times approved by the Residence Life staff. Underclass residence halls (Fischer and Smith-
Traber) are allowed three open times each week and Upper-class residence halls (McManis-Evans and
Williston) are allowed six open times.
Houses and Apartments
Students in their third, fourth, or fifth year at Wheaton are eligible to live in campus apartments and
houses. Living in a campus apartment or house offers more freedom with respect to visitors of the
opposite sex, but also more responsibility. There is more ownership in apartment and house units upon
roommates to hold one another accountable for how, where, and when female and male students
interact and relate to each other within the living unit. Even though there is more freedom in campus
apartments and houses, boundaries are still important. Visiting guests of the opposite sex are restricted
to rooms with wide open doors within the apartment or house, no earlier than 9:00 am and no later than
2:00 am.
Off-Campus Housing
Students in their fourth year at Wheaton are eligible to apply to receive off-campus permission through
the spring housing selection process, if additional space is needed to house underclassmen. Students
living off campus are expected to live responsibly and in accordance with Wheaton’s Off-Campus
Housing Agreement, Student Handbook policies, and Community Covenant expectations just as is
expected of students living in on-campus housing. In addition, as with on-campus apartments, visiting
guests of the opposite sex should be limited to rooms with wide open doors within the apartment or
house, and may not spend the night.
Weapons or Explosives Policy
Students are prohibited from possessing or storing weapons and/or explosives on campus. Additionally,
Illinois law prohibits the possession or discharge of fireworks.
Examples of prohibited weapons or explosives includes but is not limited to:
• Firearms or replicas thereof (replicas include any device made to mimic the appearance of a
firearm, regardless of its intended use or composition);
• Explosives and/or explosive devices;
• Weapons or devices that injure or potential could injure another person or property, such as
water balloon launchers and num-chuks;
• Pellet guns, air-soft guns, orbi guns, nerf guns that shoot darts, B-B guns, and paintball guns;
• Fireworks;
• Flammable chemicals and/or fuels;
• Bows and arrows;
• Swords; and
• Knives with blades longer than three inches (including folding pocketknives), except for knives
intended for kitchen use.
College personnel will confiscate the items if discovered and reserve the right to not return them.
Alleged violations of the Weapons or Explosives Policy will be addressed through the Student Conduct
Procedure.
Students found in violation will incur a minimum $100 fine for such possession.
Student Development Policies and Procedures
Birth Sex and Gender Identity
The New Testament refers to the followers of Jesus as being “in Christ” (e.g., 2 Cor. 5:17). As a
Christian institution, Wheaton College thus seeks to understand all aspects of human existence and
experience in connection to Jesus Christ. This includes human gender—here defined as the behavioral,
cultural, and psychological traits associated with a person’s biological sex—and any claims made about
gender identity.
Wheaton College recognizes that while many people experience gender identity in ways that are
congruent with their birth sex, some experience gender identity and gender expression in ways that are at
variance with their biological birth sex (gender incongruence) and still others have physical
characteristics that are partially male and female (intersex).
We acknowledge that matters of birth sex and gender identity can be complex. Here we outline some of
the guidelines and principles that will inform the College’s decision-making when a student or employee
engages in actions or behavior that demonstrate variance between their birth sex and gender identity:
The College desires to be a loving, supportive community that cares for and respects each person,
including those among us who experience incongruity between birth sex and gender identity. We
oppose unloving responses toward these individuals, lament the hurt caused by any member of the
Christian community, and recognize our calling to cultivate a loving Christian environment.
The College assigns access for students and employees to sensitive spaces such as housing, locker
rooms, and bathrooms on the basis of sex at birth. As an expression of Christian hospitality, the
College provides gender-neutral bathroom options where possible.
The College considers the decision to undergo a medical transition or to engage in other persistent
actions or behaviors at variance with one’s birth sex to violate the biblical and theological
commitments for students and employees in the Community Covenant and Statement of Faith. We
will address such matters within the appropriate pastoral and/or conduct processes of the College.
The College will consider enrolling or employing an individual who has undergone a medical
transition from his or her birth sex where there is reasonable evidence that the circumstances that led
to the medical transition do not violate the College’s biblical and/or theological convictions (e.g.,
medical transitions taking place before becoming a Christ follower or to address certain unique
medical situations).
The College recognizes the pronouns she/her/hers and he/him/his as expressing the created reality
of a biological binary. The College neither endorses nor requests the statement of preferred personal
pronouns by members of the College community. The College does not permit the statement of
preferred personal pronouns by employees when conducting College business, when on a platform
where they are publicly identified as College employees, and/or when using the College brand in
print or digital media, except when employees are required to submit such pronouns when
registering for a conference or for membership in a professional organization. With the exception of
research conducted under the oversight of the Institutional Review Board (“IRB”), College-created
forms, surveys, and questionnaires should only include male and female sex options without
additional gender options (although “prefer not to say” is also permissible).
The College reserves the latitude to make reasonable judgments about matters not explicitly addressed
in this Policy based on the Statement of Faith, Community Covenant, and the biblical principles that
underlie these documents. The Wheaton College Board of Trustees reserves final authority for the
interpretation of these documents and the biblical principles that guide them.
To provide further, more specific context, the College’s policies and practices on birth sex and gender
identity for the members of our community are informed by the following biblical and theological
convictions:
God’s original intent and action was to create humanity to bear his divine image as two distinct
sexes, male and female (Gen. 1:27), which are further designated as “man” and “woman” (Gen.
2:21-23). Jesus Christ affirmed this teaching, stating that “at the beginning the Creator made them
male and female” (Matt. 19:4). According to God’s creation intention, each person is divinely
intended to experience congruence between the physical and experiential dimensions of his or her
sex as male/man or female/woman.
As a result of the choices of our first human parents, Adam and Eve, sin and death permeate the
human condition (Rom. 1:18-32). Human beings are both the victims and the perpetrators of
transgression. The totality of our experience is fallen in many ways, affecting the sexual, biological,
psychological, and spiritual dimensions of living. One example of the effects of the fall on creation is
that our personal experience of gender may be inconsistent with God’s original design for our
biological sex.
The biblical narrative expresses both the distinction of human beings as male and female and the
equal dignity of men and women as made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). When unbiblical
expectations or extrabiblical standards for gender distinctiveness are promoted, both men and
women are denied their equal dignity, with damaging consequences. Similarly, we see harmful
consequences arising out of distorted messages about birth sex, gender identity, and gender
expression, such as the view that gender distinctions are harmful, irrelevant, or matters of personal
preference rather than intended for our flourishing as divine image-bearers in a fallen world.
As Christians who experience the pain and difficulty of living in a fallen world, we are called to
empathize with anyone who seeks to reduce the distress that may accompany gender incongruence.
Yet we do not believe that the best path to resolving a conflict between birth sex and gender identity
is the adoption of a psychological identity, public persona, or physiology different from one’s
divinely given birth sex.
Dress Statement
Members of the Wheaton community should make an effort to dress modestly and appropriately at all
times. For class, chapel, and in public buildings, students should always wear shoes. The classroom and
offices are students’ places of work and business. Students should wear shirts in all public places, indoors
and out (except for athletics). Students should be modest, avoid abbreviated shorts and tops, and wear
dresses or suit coats and ties for formal concerts, programs, recitals, and other special occasions.
Sunbathing is not allowed on front campus or in public view.
An Ethic of Care to Prevent Stereotyping of Groups in Student
Programming/Activities
Introduction
The Wheaton College mission includes a commitment to “educate the whole person to build the church
and benefit society worldwide.” The Community Covenant calls all members who voluntarily join the
College to “pursue unity and embrace ethnic diversity as part of God’s design for humanity and practice
racial reconciliation as one of his redemptive purposes in Christ.” One way to pursue unity and embrace
ethnic diversity is “to cultivate a grace filled, Christ-Centered academic community where all members
are recognized, loved, and respected” (Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment). Another way is to
exercise responsible freedom by displaying Christ-like love, honoring the name of Jesus Christ and
upholding the God-given worth of all human beings as the unique image-bearers of God (Community
Covenant).
Planning student programming/activities is one of the structures and functions of the Wheaton College
community. When planning for student programming/activities is done to affirm diversity, practice
inclusion, seek justice and pursue unity (Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment), it will contribute to
the mission of the College to educate whole persons. When student programming/activities include
stereotypes of historically marginalized groups and other groups, the College’s mission is compromised.
Historically Marginalized Groups
A stereotype is “a preconceived and oversimplified idea of the characteristics which typify a person, race,
or community which may lead to treating them in a particular way” (Oxford Dictionary of Sociology).
The members of Wheaton College belong to a variety of subgroups, including some who have been
historically marginalized (e.g., African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and
internationals). Portraying a tall African American male student in a skit as a basketball player may be an
example of a stereotype if it operates under the assumption that all tall African American men play
basketball.
Marginalization is “a spatial metaphor for a process of social exclusion in which individuals or groups are
denied economic, political, and/or symbolic power and pushed towards being ‘outsiders’” (Oxford
Dictionary of Sociology). A failure to recruit racially and ethnically diverse student leaders to plan
student programming/activities is an example of a College function that may contribute to the
marginalization of racially and ethnically diverse students.
Wheaton College considers stereotyping members of a historically marginalized group and/or
portraying the rituals, symbols, behaviors and/or dress of a historically marginalized group for the
primary purpose of humor to be a failure of our commitment to each other as described in the
Community Covenant. Such stereotyping will likely have detrimental effects and ought to be avoided.
Other Groups
Sometimes members of subgroups within Wheaton College playfully highlight or mimic aspects of their
subgroup that they find humorous. This may seem acceptable because the humor originated from one of
the subgroups. Students outside the subgroup, however, may not know how to interpret mimicking
humor because they are not part of the subgroup’s culture.
At other times members of one campus subgroup mimic or highlight the culture of another campus
subgroup. The better part of wisdom is to direct mimicking humor towards one’s own subgroup(s).
Mimicking behavior directed to an audience outside one’s subgroup places a burden on the originator to
seek feedback outside one’s own subgroup regarding the wisdom and effect of such mimicking behavior.
Questions to Consider
Our voluntary agreement to the Community Covenant has practical implications for student
programming/activities/advertising. All students planning informal and formal (that is, College
approved) activities and related advertising should consider the following questions in consultation with
residence life staff, departmental supervisor(s), staff advisor(s), or coaches. Activity planners and those
responsible for creating marketing materials are encouraged to remain open to feedback throughout the
planning and facilitation process.
1. What are the purposes of the activity and are they congruent with the Community Covenant’s
call to its members to pursue unity and embrace ethnic diversity?
2. Are any groups being stereotyped?
3. Are the rituals, symbols, behaviors, and/or dress of a group portrayed for the primary purpose of
humor?
4. What are the anticipated effects upon the individuals watching the program/activity?
5. What steps will be taken to ensure that students will not be pressured to participate in and/or
watch the activity?
6. Who will be responsible for supervising and providing feedback to the planners about the
program/activity in support of the Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment to affirm diversity,
practice inclusion, seek justice and pursue unity?
Questions or comments about this ethics statement may be directed to the Vice President for Student
Development, the Dean for Student Engagement, the Dean of Student Wellness, the Dean of Residence
Life, or the Athletics Director.
Training
In order for this document to be understood and implemented effectively, training will need to occur.
Potential contexts for such training may include:
• Student leader training (e.g., Athletics, Chaplain’s Office, Conservatory, Residence Life, Student
Engagement, etc.);
• Special interest club fall training; and
• Compliance training with student athletes.
Parent Notification Policy
In keeping with its holistic educational mission, Wheaton College seeks to treat students as young
adults. The College must receive proper documentation before it will share non-directory educational
records with a requesting parent or guardian. Such documentation may include student consent forms,
verification of tax dependent status, or other acceptable documentation indicating the College’s
authority to release the requested record(s). In an effort to treat students as young adults, the College
defers, in most cases, to students’ decisions regarding contacting a parent(s) or guardian(s) with non-
directory educational records.
Definitions
The term “health” in this policy relates to physical and psychological dimensions. The term “safety” in
this policy refers to the protection of one’s physical body and/or psychological wellbeing as well as that
of other persons. The term “emergency” in this policy refers to a threat to one’s physical and/or
psychological person and/or to someone else’s physical and/or psychological person. The term “urgent”
in this policy refers to a College circumstance that is directly affected by a student’s health and/or safety
emergency or disciplinary matter. The term “education records” is defined by the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (1974) as those records that are: (1) directly related to a student; and (2)
maintained by an educational agency or institution, or by a party acting for the agency or institution.
Students’ educational records at Wheaton College are managed in accordance with the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), which is designed to protect the privacy of educational
records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their records, and to provide guidelines
for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. The Registrar’s
Office provides students with an annual notification of how to access the College’s FERPA policy as well
as student rights under FERPA.
Health and/or Safety Emergency Notifications
FERPA allows the College to share students’ educational records with others, including but not limited
to students’ parent(s) or guardian(s), where the College determines that knowledge of the information
to that individual is necessary to protect the health and/or safety of the student. If a student is unwilling
to give authorization to release non-directory educational records to a parent(s) or guardian(s) in
connection with a health and/or safety emergency, a Student Development Dean, or designee, may offer
to contact the parent(s) or guardian(s) on the student’s behalf. If a student is unable, due to
incapacitation, to give authorization to release non-directory educational records to a parent(s) or
guardian(s) in connection with a health and/or safety emergency, the College may initiate sharing
and/or requesting pertinent information with a parent(s) or guardian(s) if it is believed they can provide
information and/or support in order to effectively assist a student in a health and/or safety emergency.
Urgent Academic, Financial or Disciplinary Notifications
When a student’s health and/or safety emergency is likely to affect the student’s academic, financial
and/or disciplinary status at the College, Student Development staff will strongly encourage students to
communicate this academic, financial, and/or disciplinary information to parent(s) or guardian(s) to
seek their support. Such situations include, but are not limited to, when such a student:
1.
is failing a course and is close to a course drop date in the academic calendar that could lead to a
“F” on the student’s academic transcript;
2. is failing a course and is approaching tuition reimbursement deadlines; and/or
3. is placed on disciplinary probation, suspended, or expelled for misconduct.
If such a student is unwilling or unresponsive regarding the authorization to release non-directory
educational records to a parent(s) or guardian(s) in connection with an urgent academic, financial
and/or disciplinary matter, a Student Development Dean may offer to contact the parent(s) or
guardian(s) on the student’s behalf. The College may also initiate sharing and/or requesting pertinent
non-directory educational information with a parent(s) or guardian(s) if it is believed they can provide
information and/or support in order to effectively assist a student in an urgent academic, financial
and/or disciplinary matter.
FERPA regulations allow, but do not require, institutions to provide parents or guardians with access to
private student records if the student is a tax dependent as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.
FERPA regulations also allow, but do not require, College officials to inform parents if a student under
the age of 21 has been found in violation of the Alcohol- and Drug-Free Community Policy.
Responding to External Agency Requests
External Agency Requests
Wheaton College is a voluntary community with its own expectations for membership. The Community
Covenant, the Statement of Faith, and the Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment articulate these
expectations while also forming the foundation of specific policies.
Wheaton College members are also expected to follow city, local, state and federal ordinances and laws.
Enforcement, however, is the role of external agencies including but not limited to local or state police,
sheriffs, and fire departments; state and federal enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of
Investigations and Department of Homeland Security; and prosecuting attorneys (such as U.S.
attorneys and state attorneys).
Guidance and Resources for Employees
A representative from an external agency approaching a College employee about a current student as a
possible witness or as an alleged offender is likely to request one or more of the following:
1. To provide the student’s directory information (such as enrollment status and campus address)
as defined by the College’s FERPA policy. Any such request should be directed to the Registrar
([email protected]), who is the College’s FERPA officer, to provide the information.
2. To communicate a message on behalf of the external agency to a student about a representative
wanting to speak to them along with the representative’s contact information. Such requests
must be referred to the Vice President for Student Development
(student.development@wheaton.edu).
3. To deliver a judicial order or lawful subpoena to the College or a current student (a subpoena or
witness summons is issued by a government agency, most often a court, to compel testimony by
a witness or production of evidence under a penalty for failure). Requests to deliver a judicial
order/subpoena to the College must be referred to the College’s General Counsel
([email protected]); requests to deliver a judicial order/subpoena to a current
student must be referred to the Vice President for Student Development
(student.development@wheaton.edu).
4. To deliver an arrest warrant to a current student. Such requests must be referred to the Vice
President for Student Development (student.development@wheaton.edu).
A College employee who has been approached with a request from an external agency representative
regarding a current student should coordinate with the College’s General Counsel
([email protected]) before responding.
Guidance and Resources for Students
The guidance and resources below are for students who have been approached by a representative from
an external agency as a possible witness or as an alleged offender:
1. Students may complete an Authorization for Release of Information form, if they wish to release
some/all of their private records to a representative of an external agency. However, the College
may provide certain information to law enforcement even in the absence of student consent. For
more information, see the College’s FERPA Annual Notification of Rights.
2. Students are encouraged to inform a parent/legal guardian about the request from the
representative of an external agency.
3. Wheaton College cannot provide legal advice to students whose alleged behavior is prompting
an external agency to request an interview, to deliver a judicial order/subpoena, or to deliver an
arrest warrant.
4. Students may wish to seek legal advice. For basics on legal rights related to legal investigations
and requests, students may consult the Illinois Legal Aid resources listed below:
a. Basics of subpoenas
b. Rights during a criminal investigation
c. Rights related to arrest/custody
d. Basics of ICE (immigration) raids and arrests
5. The College does not require students who receive a request to speak to an external agency
representative to do so.
Students may seek personal support from the Chaplain’s Office (chaplains.office@wheaton.edu) in
lower Beamer Center, suite 057 and the Counseling Center ([email protected]) in North
Harrison Hall, suite 170.
Student Educational Records Policy
Students’ educational records at Wheaton College are managed in accordance with the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), which is designed to protect the privacy of educational
records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their records, and to provide guidelines
for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. The Registrar’s
Office provides students with an annual notification of how to access the College’s FERPA policy as well
as student rights under FERPA. Students who wish to request a copy of their educational records must
complete an online form in the Registrar’s Office.
After graduating, a student may authorize a Dean in Student Development to answer questions about
their conduct during college for applications to graduate schools, professional schools, and/or bar
associations, as well as job applications for government agencies, etc. based on information in their
educational record.
Student Publications Policy
Wheaton College is the owner and publisher of all student publications authorized under the Student
Publications Constitution. Two publications are currently authorized for campus-wide circulation: The
Record (newspaper) and Kodon (arts magazine). These publications are governed by the Student
Publications (SPC). Any request for a new student publication is to be presented to SPC for
consideration and approval based on campus need and interest. Requests for a new student publication
to be authorized under the Student Publications Constitution may be sent to the Vice President for
Student Development (student.development@wheaton.edu). Final approval of a new student
publication is the responsibility of the Senior Administrative Cabinet and Board of Trustees. A request
to receive a copy of the Student Publications Constitution may be sent to
student.development@wheaton.edu.
Policy on Travel with Students
Student travel can be an integral component of a student’s experience at the College. Faculty, staff, and
other College Officials who accompany students may further enhance traveling together through the
exchange of information, the opportunity for educational enhancement, and the development of
meaningful relationships. At the same time, members of the campus community share the responsibility
of maintaining clear boundaries for our students when traveling outside of College property. This Policy
defines appropriate boundaries for College Officials and their students when traveling together.
For the purpose of this policy, “College Officials” means faculty, staff, senior administrators, trustees,
volunteers, alumni or other non-student members of the Wheaton College community acting in their
official capacity with the College.
“Student Travel” means any travel undertaken off campus by students and/or student groups where such
travel is connected to or sponsored in whole or in part by the College or where the College or a College
Official provides any support to that student or student group. It also includes travel to and from Wheaton
College campus locations, such as Wheaton in Chicago, HoneyRock, and Wheaton College Science
Station.
Policy
College Officials traveling with students are subject to the Community Covenant, Employee Handbook,
and other College policies, as well as the following expectations:
1. College Officials may not share beds, bedrooms, or personal bathrooms with any student.
2. College Officials may not permit students to enter their personal accommodations, including, but
not limited to, their hotel rooms, nor may College Officials enter students’ personal
accommodations unless necessary for safety reasons or to enforce College policies, including but
not limited to the Alcohol and Drug Free Community Policy found in the Student Handbook.
3. In cases where it is anticipated or known that the facilities will not allow for adherence to this
policy (e.g., remote location with no or limited individual sleeping rooms and/or private
bathrooms), the College Official responsible for the travel must obtain approval as described
below in advance of the trip to determine appropriate modifications to ensure appropriate
safeguards and boundaries are in place.
Exceptions
The College further recognizes that there may be extraordinary circumstances that warrant an exception
to this policy. In these situations, the College Official may propose alternative arrangements and seek
permission for the policy exception in advance of the travel dates from their Division Head in consultation
with the Office of Legal Affairs and Risk Management. When evaluating such requests, the Division Head
overseeing the College Official and the designee from the Office of Legal Affairs and Risk Management
will weigh the benefits of such travel against the risks, taking into consideration the location, duration, and
nature of the travel as well as established revised boundary expectations.
Exclusion
This policy does not prohibit students from sharing rooms. If a student is uncomfortable with the
proposed housing arrangements for any reason, the student should raise their concern with the sponsoring
College Official.
Reporting Concerns
Failure to comply with any aspect of this policy may result in disciplinary action. Employees or students
who have questions regarding this policy or concerns regarding another member’s adherence to it may
contact one of the following resources:
• Equity and Title IX at 630.752.7515 and or by reporting incidents here.
• Office of Legal Affairs and Risk Management and/or make an anonymous report here.
Student Engagement Policies and Procedures
Policy on Artistic Expression of the Human Body
The Wheaton College administration affirms the following general principles drawn from biblical
foundations:
• The human body and our sexuality are, in themselves, good and glorious creations of a loving
God.
• The clear trajectory of scriptural teaching emphasizes the cultivation of personal holiness and
purity, fostered in part by an emphasis on modesty and the avoidance of sensualism as a
Christian community.
• Together, these emphases suggest the wisdom of reticence in viewing the nude human body in
most circumstances outside of the intimacy of a marital couple or in circumstances where
practical necessity demands such (e.g., bathing a child, the athletic locker room, or during a
medical examination), especially where sexual temptation could result. Such reticence or
restraint in displaying or viewing the nude or undraped human body, nevertheless, is not a moral
absolute but rather a means to the end of the cultivation of purity and holiness.
Administrative Guidelines and Policies Related to Artistic Expression of the Human Body
From these general principles, we draw the following practical and prudential guidelines and specific
operational policies regarding the exhibition of the nude human form within the context of our campus
community:
1. Given the fundamental goodness of our physical bodies and our sexuality, we affirm artistic
interest in and godly representation of the human form.
2. As a Christian community, we affirm the opportunity to assist our student artists and indeed all
of our students to develop biblically grounded, wise and wholesome understandings of the
human body and of human sexuality. In addition to celebration of the human body, this will also
include necessarily the scriptural teaching on modesty and the avoidance of sensualism.
3. The trajectory of scriptural teaching on modesty and the avoidance of sensualism, combined
with the widely acknowledged struggles of many on our campus with pornography and sexual
temptation as well as our responsibility to act deferentially in support of their well-being,
together call for careful prudential judgments in the exhibition of artistic works from all sources
around our campus. We thus will incline our judgments in the direction of restraint and modesty
in exhibition of explicit or graphic portrayals of the nude human body.
4. We acknowledge that art is not only about celebrating created goodness or beauty but can be
legitimately directed toward other purposes. Thus, the individual Christian artist as a matter of
conscience or calling may be called to depict the nude human form to accomplish particular
redemptive or prophetic purposes (such as striving to “expose what is evil” [Ephesians 5:11] or
depicting our shame or human brokenness).
5. Practically, there are serious risks posed to our students through their personal portrayal as the
subjects/models for works of art in recognizable images that are nude, sexually suggestive,
salacious, or deliberately offensive. The new information climate makes these images difficult to
control and puts students at current and future risk.
6. On the basis of the preceding, we draw the following operational policies related to these
matters:
a. In public spaces around campus, we will not exhibit artwork that displays explicit human
frontal nudity; exceptions may be approved by the President’s Art Commission acting
on behalf of the Wheaton College President.
b. The Adams Hall 3
rd
floor galleries have been identified as a discretionary space where art
students and others may apply to display more explicit images of the human body and
other challenging images when 1) the student artist has submitted for approval both the
art itself (for artistic merit) and a rationale justifying the exhibition and the corpus of art
and the rationale have been approved by an art faculty member and the department
chair; and 2) the art is exhibited accompanied by a posted version of the statement of
rationale (the artist’s statement).
c. We will not exhibit anywhere on campus nude, sexually suggestive, salacious, or
deliberately offensive images of recognizable Wheaton students.
d. In deference to prevailing campus priorities, we prohibit the use of nude (un-draped)
human models in our Wheaton College educational preparation of visual arts students.
e. No restrictions will be imposed on faculty in the use of textbooks and teaching materials
that display the undraped human body. Faculty are free within the confines of a specific
classroom during a teaching period to discuss and exhibit student art showing the
undraped human body in ways that are consistent with our Community Covenant.
To request the complete document, Artistic Expression of the Human Body, please contact the Dean for
Student Engagement at student.engagement@wheaton.edu.
Campus Promotion Policy
The following guidelines apply to any campus related promotional material. Policies are subject to
change. For additional information, please contact Student Involvement in the Beamer Student Center
at 630-752-5586.
Poster Sizes
• One 8” x 11” or 11” x 17” poster on each posting location is allowed.
• Posters must not exceed 11” x 17” inches.
Poster Approval
• Campus departments, undergraduate and graduate student organizations and clubs must have
their posters approved and date-stamped by Student Involvement for take-down by the group
that posted it.
• Posters must identify the sponsoring department, club, or organization to be approved.
• Marketing Communications must approve any use of the College logos as well as approving any
material being used in an off-campus non-Wheaton College context. Email
media.relations@wheaton.edu or call 630-752-5714 for more information.
• Non-Wheaton College off-campus organizations must also have their posters approved by
Student Involvement.
• All posters must be consistent, in purpose and content, with the standards and mission of
Wheaton College articulated in the Statement of Faith, Community Covenant, and Christ-
Centered Diversity Commitment to be approved.
• Posters and banners are approved for specific periods of time:
o Indoor posters 2 weeks
o Anderson Commons banners 1 week
o Outdoor banners 1 week
Materials for Posting
• When posting information on the few authorized non-bulletin board surfaces (i.e., wood, glass,
stairwell, or walls) Plasti-Tak must be used.
• Absolutely NO Scotch tape is allowed anywhere (masking tape is allowed only on certain
picture rails).
• The Beamer Center post-it boards, located throughout the lower level, require no extra hanging
material; simply place the flyer on the post-it board.
Recommended Poster Strategies
• Posters may not be hung on top of any other poster already hung.
• A poster usually loses its effectiveness after it has been on display over a week; a different poster
might draw more attention, or two posters may be rotated.
• Departments that desire to promote their services with posters are encouraged to do so during
the first two weeks of the semester when event posters are minimal.
Campus-wide Promotion Locations
• Specific locations on campus have been designated for all advertising. A complete list is available
in Student Involvement.
• Nothing may be posted in locations that are specified for use by certain groups or departments.
• Nothing may be posted on any surface that is not approved (such as trash cans, walls, railings,
benches, light posts, trees, windows, doors, etc.).
Beamer Student Center Display Cases
• Five display cases are available for reservation through Student Involvement.
• Please check with the Student Involvement front desk for availability.
• Only current students/faculty/staff groups can reserve the display case.
• Displays need to be set up between 1:00 – 5:00 pm on Monday and removed no later than 12:00
noon on the following Monday.
• Displays not removed may be taken down by the next group or Student Involvement staff.
Beamer Student Center College Post Office (CPO)
• The empty, open space in the center of the mailbox area can be reserved for a week at a time.
• Depending on demand for CPO space, groups may be limited to the number of approvals
granted per semester.
• Groups are responsible for hanging items from the ceiling using the installed hooks and for any
items left as part of the display.
• The display should not impede traffic patterns in CPO and should be contained to a 6 feet x 4
feet area.
• Consider that items left here for display may be tampered with or removed.
Beamer Student Center Display Tables
• Two tables across from Sam’s in lower Beamer and three along the outer CPO south wall are
available for booking through the Student Involvement front desk.
• The tables are numbered and reserved on a first come, first served basis.
• Tables can be reserved for three days within a week.
• Reservations are for the whole day, regardless of the intent to only use the table for a limited
number of hours during the day.
• Please call or stop by Student Involvement to cancel a reservation if the table will not be used.
• Only current student groups/faculty/staff can reserve the display tables.
• If a group chooses to display a poster behind their table, it must be approved by Student
Involvement and hung with Plasti-Tak or on the cork strip.
• Groups choosing to play music or show a video as part of their display must negotiate the
volume level with groups at nearby display tables.
• Complete displays must be removed by the end of the last reserved day.
• Any fundraising ideas must first be approved by the Programs Development Coordinator in
Student Involvement.
• Outside organizations (job recruiters, mission organizations, etc.) should be directed to the
Center for Vocation and Career (CVC) to reserve the table next to Sam’s.
Anderson Commons Tray Area Banners
• Five spaces are available next to and across from the return tray in Anderson Commons for
indoor banners.
• A reservation must be secured with Student Involvement before the banner is produced.
• A rendering of the banner content must be presented for verbal approval by Student
Involvement before the banner is produced.
• The banner must not exceed 5 feet wide by 3 feet high.
• The banner must be hung with push pins on the cork board strips.
Anderson Commons Entrance Area Banner
• Requests for banner hanging should be made through Student Involvement. All banners must be
approved by the Director of Student Involvement prior to being hung and must be hung by
Facilities personnel.
• All banners must be of a heavy canvas material and must have metal grommets already installed.
(Banners made of sheets or shower curtains cannot be used.)
• An hourly fee will be charged for hanging the banner. It is up to the discretion of the Facilities
Department whether the banner can be hung manually or whether use of the boom truck will be
necessary. No matter what method is used, the same fee will be charged.
• Facilities assumes no responsibility for what people may do to the banner once it is hung.
Outdoor Displays
• Must first be approved by Student Involvement.
• No display may be put on front campus, in front of Edman Chapel, or in the fountain area.
• A series of stakes with signs may be put along the campus walks.
• Outside displays must be neat and must not damage lawns, trees, walks, or buildings. They may
not hang from telephone or electric poles or across streets.
• Nothing is to be attached to the outside of buildings or permitted to hang from windows unless
the Director of Student Involvement or a Residence Director has given special approval.
• If a display becomes damaged or damages College property, it must be promptly removed once
notification has been given. If it must be removed by Facilities, the cost of removal will be billed
to the individual or organization responsible.
• The Director of Facilities along with the Director of Student Involvement must approve any
large or unusual display on the campus lawns.
• An event scheduled first has precedence if there are more requests than available space.
Outdoor Banners
• Requests for banner hanging should be made through Student Involvement. All banners must be
approved by the Director of Student Involvement prior to being hung and must be hung by
Facilities personnel.
• All banners must be of a heavy canvas material and must have metal grommets already installed.
(Banners made of sheets or shower curtains do not hold up to wind and weather and cannot be
used.)
• Requested posting location must be specific and must fall within the guidelines of locations
considered to be legitimate for banners.
• An hourly fee will be charged for hanging banners. It is up to the discretion of the Facilities
Department whether the banner can be hung manually or whether use of the boom truck will be
necessary. No matter what method is used, the same fee will be charged.
• Facilities assumes no responsibility for what wind, weather, or people may do to the banner once
it is hung.
• No banners will be hung on city property (i.e., parkways, utility poles, streets, easements, etc.)
without written permission from the Wheaton City Council.
Exterior Chalk-Drawing
• To maintain the beauty of our campus and to ensure the safety of students, no chalk messages
are to be written on College property (walls, sidewalks, signs, and buildings). The only Student
Involvement approved exceptions are the pavement south of Memorial Student Center, the
Smith Traber sidewalk located on the corner of Howard and University, and the sidewalk
outside the entrance to Fischer.
• Requests for chalk drawings on campus sidewalks should be submitted to the Programs
Development Coordinator in Student Involvement.
• Information submitted should include location, time-period, and content (artwork and/or text).
• Chalk drawings can only be on blacktop or gray sidewalks.
• Absolutely no drawings can be placed on campus buildings or on any red brick sidewalks.
• The group may be asked to remove the chalk advertisement if rain has not washed it off and it
conflicts with another event happening on campus.
Campus-wide Email Announcements
• Bi-Weekly Campus Announcements are available for all student-led clubs, ministry teams and
organizations.
• Submit announcements here.
• The sponsoring organization or department must be included in the submission.
• Submit content before Monday at noon for inclusion in the Tuesday email or Thursday at noon
for the Friday email.
• Bi-Weekly Campus Announcements are managed by AIT. Questions may be directed to
Personal Advertisements
• Any random ads that people want to post can go on one board in the lower level of the Beamer
Center—in the alcove across from the women’s restroom. These would include:
o Personal advertisements listing items for sale, services, rides, or other “wanted” items,
etc. These must be approved by Student Involvement and are restricted to designated
bulletin boards in the Beamer Center and a bulletin board on the second floor of Billy
Graham Hall.
o Housing advertisements (sale, rent, roommates needed, etc.) are posted on the
Wheaton website. Contact the Graduate Student Life office for more information.
Removal of Promotional Material
• Posters may not be removed before the advertised event to make room for posters advertising
another organization’s event.
• A group that does not remove posters after the date stamp expiration date may result in
forfeiting the privilege of future poster approvals.
o A representative of each building on campus will remove all unauthorized materials and
communicate the group’s name to Student Involvement.
o Posters advertising past events may be removed to make room for current posters.
Campus-Wide Email Policy for Recognized Student Groups
The purpose of this policy is to establish policy and procedures for recognized student group
dissemination of mass email communication to students. Mass e-mailing may be used to communicate
information to some or all of the student body for the purpose of event promotion, recruitment,
organizational announcements, or survey requests. Only requests made by recognized student groups
will be sent.
All regulations and authority outlined in the College’s Internal Digital Communications Policy can also
be viewed online via the AIT website or on the Bi-weekly Campus Announcements Email page.
There are two mechanisms by which mass email messages can be sent by recognized student groups to
students:
1. The preferred option is for a student group to draft an announcement for approval to the group’s
advisor for review and approval. Next, an online form available on the AIT Bi-weekly Campus
Announcements Email webpage can be completed to request information or announcements be
sent to all students, faculty, and staff via the Campus Announcements email, a bi-weekly digest
organized by Academic and Institutional Technology regarding upcoming events, activities,
lectures, workshops, and important information such as deadlines submitted by student
organizations, campus departments, faculty, and staff.
2. A secondary option is to draft a stand-alone e-mail message and submit to the group’s advisor for
review and approval. Advisor approved e-mails may then be submitted to the office coordinator
for distribution to the target audience.
Messages will not be distributed unless they contain the following information:
• Target Audience: all undergraduate students, one specific class of students, undergraduate
women or undergraduate men, students in a particular major, all student leaders, students in a
particular residence hall, etc.;
• Subject line;
• Date, time, and location;
• Sponsoring Organization or Department; and
• Contact information for follow up questions.
All messages must be germane to the target audience. Approved emails are permitted to be sent one time.
Messages should be spell-checked.
If a student group desires to express an opinion, it should not do so through a campus email, but it may
submit an opinion to The Record for consideration in a future edition of the newspaper, subject to The
Record’s guidelines for publishing opinions.
Chapel Attendance Policy
At Wheaton College the formation of the mind, heart, and soul is inseparable. Chapel is an essential
component of students’ formation. Students gather for worship three times a week in the loving
presence of the living God to seek the transformation of thoughts and actions through praying, singing,
sharing testimonies and listening to God's Word. The College leadership prays students will more
deeply learn how to live under the easy yoke and light burden of the Lord Jesus. By the end of students’
time at Wheaton, the College hopes that students will find themselves more regularly experiencing the
freedom and joy of the Holy Spirit, as a foundation for being sent out by God as His witnesses for the
Gospel.
The Trustees of Wheaton College require that all undergraduate students attend chapel, regardless of
the number of years enrolled or the current number of academic credit hours attained, because of the
chapel’s role in contributing to the College’s mission of educating whole people in Christ to help build
the church and benefit society worldwide.
Chapel Attendance Procedures
Seating
Students are assigned a different seat to sit in before the start of each semester. Seat assignments are
communicated to students via their my.wheaton.edu email addresses.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend chapel in person. Chapel monitors take attendance at each chapel; there
are typically 45 chapels per semester. Attendance instructions for special chapels in different locations
around campus (e.g., class and department chapels) or when a large number of guests are attending will
be emailed to students in advance. Watching Chapel live online or an archived Chapel message does not
constitute chapel attendance.
Absences
Eleven (11) absences are permitted each semester for students who are in good standing with chapel
attendance, which represents approximately 25% of the total number of chapels each
semester. Examples of reasons absences may be used include but are not limited to sleep, study, recovery
from illness, doctor/counseling appointments, ad hoc meetings with professors/advisors, non-school
related trips, irregular work schedules, interviews, car repairs, content that may cause emotional distress,
trips to the airport, etc. Unused absences from the current semester do not carry over to future
semesters.
Arriving Late to Chapel
After the bells finish chiming, the doors to the main level of the chapel are closed. Students arriving after
the doors close are considered late. Arriving late to chapel three (3) times equals one (1) absence. Late
students whose assigned seat is located on the main level of the chapel are not allowed to go in. Late
students must go up to the balcony and sign in on the Late Sign In sheet and then sit in the empty seats
in section 7 of the balcony. The names of late students who leave the balcony area will be removed from
the Late Sign In sheet by a chapel monitor.
Chapel Warning
Students who exceed eleven (11) absences in a semester will be placed on Chapel Warning via an
emailed letter from the Dean for Student Engagement. Students may reach out to the Chapel
Attendance Coordinator in the Chaplain’s Office if discrepancies in recording an accurate attendance
record is suspected.
Chapel Probation
Students who exceed eleven (11) absences while on Chapel Warning or miss 23 to 33 absences in one
semester will be placed on Chapel Probation via an emailed letter from a Student Development Dean or
the Director of Athletics. An enrollment registration hold will be communicated to the Registrar’s
Office, which will remain until the student meets with a Student Development Dean or the Director of
Athletics. The first purpose of this meeting is to discuss the reason(s) for the missed chapels and options
to remove the barriers to attending chapel.
The second purpose of the meeting is to discuss if students will be permitted to begin or continue
participating in co-curricular activities. Students who have a consistent chapel attendance concern may
not be permitted to be involved in co-curricular or athletic activities. Conservatory or Communication
students required to participate in music, theater performance, or debate as part of their academic
curriculum will not need permission to continue participation but are still required to meet with a
Dean/Director of Athletics.
Restoring Good Standing Following Chapel Warning or Probation
Students placed on Chapel Warning or Probation can return to good standing by remaining within
eleven (11) absences in the immediately succeeding semester.
Suspension from the College [revised as of Fall 2024]
Students who exceed eleven (11) absences while on Chapel Probation or miss 34 or more absences in
one semester will be suspended from the College via a meeting with a Student Development Dean,
which means their enrollment is involuntarily canceled for the following semester.
Suspension Appeals
A suspension decision by one of the Deans in Student Development may be appealed by the student to
the Vice President for Student Development within five (5) business days of being notified of their
suspension status. Appeal requests are limited to the following grounds:
1. A procedural [or substantive] error occurred that significantly impacted the decision (e.g.,
substantiated bias, material deviation from established procedures, etc.).
2. To consider new information that could substantially impact the decision. A summary of this
new information and its potential impact must be included.
3. The decision was substantially outside the parameters or guidelines set by the College for this
type of offense or the cumulative chapel attendance record of the responding student.
The Vice President for Student Development shall render a written decision on the appeal, based on the
materials provided by the student. The decision of the Vice President is final and not subject to further
appeal.
Returning to Campus from Suspension
Students who return from a suspension related to Chapel absences will be returned to good standing.
Chapel Attendance Resources
Students experiencing difficulties in attending chapel due to a(n):
1. Physical health condition are encouraged to make an appointment with Student Health
Services, located in North Harrison Hall appointments may be made by contacting SHS via
phone (630-752-5072) or email (student.health.services@wheaton.edu);
2. Mental health condition are encouraged to make an appointment with the Counseling Center,
located in North Harrison Hall (appointments may be made by contacting the CC via phone
(630-752-5321) or email (counseling.center@wheaton.edu); or due to an
3. Unexpected distressing situation such as a death in the family are encouraged to make an
appointment with the Associate Dean of Student Wellness, located in 218 Student Services
Building (online appointment may be made here).
ADA Accommodations
Wheaton College is committed to providing equal access to all students, inside and outside the
classroom. If a student requires or anticipate requiring disability-related accommodations in order to
fully access chapel services, s/he may reach out to Learning and Accessibility Services (LAS)
[email protected] or visit wheaton.edu/las in order to find information regarding how to register with
LAS. This is also applicable if a student forsees absences exceeding the 11 allowed per semester due to
disability or health-related reasons. Please contact las@wheaton.edu with any questions.
Requesting a Semester Chapel Excuse
Students who do not have a history of chapel attendance concerns may request a chapel excuse for an
entire semester to be considered due to a job, an internship, or part-time student status while also living
off campus.
• A request form from the Chaplain’s Office must be completed by the student, approved by the
faculty advisor, and submitted to the Dean for Student Engagement for consideration and
approval.
• Every effort to avoid scheduling a work or internship commitment around the Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday chapel time (10:40 - 11:15 a.m.) is expected before consideration
and/or approval will be given for a semester-long chapel excuse.
• Approval of a semester-long excuse request is valid for one semester.
• An approved semester-long chapel excuse request will modify the number of allowed absences
for the other chapel days:
o If one day per week is excused, a total of seven additional absences is allowed; and
o If two days per week are excused, a total of four additional absences is allowed.
Authorized Chapel Excuse Request Form
An authorized employee (e.g., Faculty, Coach, Nurse, Director, Dean, Vice President, Officer) may
request a chapel excuse on a student’s behalf. The form must be submitted within the quad of the
absence from the employee’s Wheaton email account. Wheaton College employees may request a
chapel excuse for a student under the following circumstances:
• Required off-campus field trip for an academic course;
• Varsity athletic competition;
• R.O.T.C. training exercise off campus;
• Extended illness treated by Student Health Services;
• An unexpected distressing event, such as a death in the family, with support from the Associate
Dean of Student Wellness; and
• An unexpected emergency.
Citizen/Voter Registration/Jury Duty Policy
Students are encouraged to exercise the rights of citizens to be well informed and to vote for candidates
and issues. At the appropriate times and in various campus publications, students are informed that they
can either register to vote or request an absentee ballot from their home state by clicking here.
Students who register to vote in DuPage County may be called upon to serve jury duty.
Club Advisors Policy
Before the charter/re-charter application is submitted to Student Involvement, each club must recruit a
faculty or staff member to serve as an advisor; faculty and staff may only advise one club each year. The
advisor is expected to meet regularly with the cabinet to foster relationships, help the cabinet apply
content from the Student Involvement Programming Guide, periodically request budget updates to
discourage overspending and to encourage investing in activity that advances the club’s mission, as well
as attending club functions.
Club Finances Policy
Funding for student special interest clubs comes from Student Involvement monies and is allocated by
the Finance Committee of Student Government under the supervision of the Director of Student
Involvement. All organizational funds must be deposited with Accounting. All bills are paid from these
funds by Accounting. A monthly statement of receipts and disbursements of each organization is
available from the Programs Development Coordinator in the Student Involvement Office.
Student clubs that wish to fundraise must first consult with the Fundraising Policy.
General Fundraising Policies
Officially recognized student clubs, ministry teams, and organizations may engage in fundraising
activities on and off campus under certain circumstances. Any proceeds of these fundraising activities
must be used for the activities and projects of the group to further its goals and objectives. Any
fundraising activities are subject to the following guidelines:
General Policies
Fundraisers may not be conducted for private gain of individuals or for-profit businesses.
Pleas for direct solicitation of funds from faculty and staff are not permitted.
The Ministry and Evangelism Office fundraisers have scheduling and activity priority.
No door-to-door soliciting of funds is permissible.
No student organizations are qualified to conduct raffles. Raffles involve paying money for the chance to
win a prize of greater value, which is considered gambling. Instead of raffles, it is suggested that student
organizations hold “free drawings” or “door prizes” in which no money is exchanged for the prize.
Groups/organizations interested in raising funds for off-campus organizations are not permitted to do
so. Students can be made aware of opportunities to give directly to an off-campus organization or cause
but cannot be collecting funds on behalf of an off-campus organization. Exceptions to this policy for
charitable organizations that hold a 501.c3 status may be considered by a committee chaired by the Vice
President for Student Development.
On-Campus Fundraising Procedures
If a student group wants to fundraise through activities such as car washes, sales of baked goods (see
food safety guidelines), trinkets, apparel items, community workdays, or auctions, they must take the
following steps:
1. Complete the fundraising request form. Forms are available in the Student Involvement Office
and are due two weeks prior to the event.
2. Obtain approval first from the organization’s advisor and then submit to the Director of Student
Involvement for approval.
3. Included in the request form must be the promotional/advertising plan and schedule for the
fundraising activity.
4. Upon receipt, the Director of Student Involvement will review the request and if approved note
the fundraising activity and promotional dates in 25Live.
Off-Campus Fundraising Procedures
1. If a student group wants to solicit any off-campus Wheaton College-related sources for funding
(e.g., parents of current Wheaton students, and/or Wheaton alumni), they must take the
following steps (if funds are received without solicitation skip to step 3):
a. Complete the Mailing Address Request Form (or Email Request Form) for approval by
the Advancement, Vocation, and Alumni Engagement Division and submit to the
Alumni and Parent Engagement Office. The forms can be found here.
b. Include with the Address Request Form an appeal letter and sample reply mechanism to
accompany the letter. Design of any communication to be sent to external constituents
needs to be approved by the Marketing Communications team.
c. Upon receipt, the Alumni and Parent Engagement Office will send the request to the
Annual Giving team for approval.
d. After the request is reviewed, approval (or notification of concerns/issues, if any) is
transmitted to the Alumni and Parent Engagement Office who communicates to the
group.
e. List of donor names is provided by Advancement Services.
2. If the group/organization wants to submit a funding request to an off-campus source unrelated
to Wheaton College, (e.g., business, foundation, or organization), they must first receive
approval from the Development department ([email protected]) in the
Advancement, Vocation, and Alumni Engagement division before proceeding. Funding requests
will be evaluated, in part, on expectations of the group/organization and/or of Wheaton College
should the funding be received by the off-campus source.
3. As donations are received from any source, DO NOT deposit at Student Financial Services.
Bring them to the Advancement Services department in Billy Graham Hall (1W) within three
days of receipt and complete the following steps:
a. Ensure that all checks have both names and addresses of the donors.
b. If any check is erroneously made payable to an individual, that individual should cash
the check and submit the cash with the donor’s full name and address.
c. Any checks or cash without names/addresses will be returned to the student group for
clarification, delaying processing time.
d. Receipts for all donations will be returned to the student group through CPO and must
be mailed or given to donors within two weeks.
e. All mailing costs, including envelopes and postage, are the responsibility of the student
group or the sponsoring department.
Latex Balloons Policy
Wheaton College prefers the use of mylar to latex balloons. If latex balloons are used inside, signs
indicating their use must be posted in the area where they are used and in surrounding areas so that
those with allergies may take appropriate precautions. Latex balloons may be used outside without the
necessity of warning signage.
Lost and Found Policy
In most cases, lost and found articles should be turned in to the Student Involvement Office (065) on
the lower level of Beamer directly across the hall from the Chaplain’s Office. Expensive items should be
taken to Public Safety (Chase Services). Unclaimed items are turned into the Corinthian Co-op in the
basement of 818 College Avenue and made available free of charge to the College community twice a
year.
Observation of Communion
As a means of protecting the integrity of the observance of the Lord’s Supper, the College has operated
under a longstanding policy of requiring the leadership of an ordained minister in the observance of
communion on campus and for off-campus College functions. This applies to both formal and informal
gatherings. Many of our own faculty and staff are able to fulfill this function. Please contact the
Chaplain’s Office for questions or referrals.
Political Involvement and Campaign Activity Policy
Students and student groups may express personal political views and engage in political campaign
activity on campus and off campus, including supporting candidates campaigning for office and/or
promoting political causes.
While students and student groups may express personal political views and engage in political activities,
it is important that they do so only as an individual or as a group whose individual members decide to
express similar opinions or organize in support of similar political activities; speaking or acting for the
College in political matters must be avoided. Wheaton College is a not-for-profit charitable institution of
higher education and is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code, which states that not-for-profit organizations are prohibited from "participating in or
intervening in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf
of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office."
The following guidelines are for individuals:
1. Individuals promoting political positions independent of any student group should clearly
indicate, by words and actions, that their positions do not represent Wheaton College and are
not being communicated on behalf of the College.
2. Individuals are prohibited from promoting a political cause that violates the Community
Covenant.
3. Since Wheaton College is a non-partisan institution, signs, symbols, banners, posters, slogans
and/or messages that promote political candidates and/or parties may be displayed on the
interior areas of a student’s living space in keeping with the Residence Life Room Care Policy
and/or on someone’s person or personal property. Such items are prohibited in community-
facing areas such as doors, windows, hallways, external walls, porches, or lawns owned by
Wheaton College, which include but are not limited to residence halls, apartments, and houses
as well as academic, athletic and student service buildings.
The following guidelines are for student groups. Student groups are permitted to:
1. Organize political rallies and debates on campus with Wheaton students, faculty, and staff.
2. During the three months leading up to an election for public office, campus facilities may be
used by student groups for election related public forums provided that at least the candidates
from the primary competing party in a general election, or two of the candidates for the
nomination of a particular party leading in political polls, are invited, as well as given equal
access and opportunity to speak.
3. Distribute campaign literature/paraphernalia in the Beamer Student Center.
4. Promote voter education/registration on campus.
5. Campaign for, endorse, and/or promote a candidate, a legislative change and/or political cause
in the name of their own student group.
6. Use their address on the College’s website to provide hyperlinks to nonpartisan organizations
and offices (e.g., voter registration), their political party’s organizational websites, and all the
legally qualified candidates for any given public office in their party who have a web presence.
7. Conduct opinion polls to gauge community sentiment.
8. Publish opinion articles in the student newspaper (The Record) which oppose or endorse
specific legislation and/or candidates while stating clearly that the views expressed reflect those
of the student authors and not of the College.
9. Spend the group’s own budget money to pursue the goals permitted above.
Student groups are not permitted to:
1. Solicit donations for a candidate, sell campaign paraphernalia, make monetary contributions to a
particular campaign from a student group’s College account, or give College supplied goods or
services to a candidate.
2. Violate the College’s Posters, Promotions, Publicity, and Announcements Policy in the Student
Engagement section of the Student Handbook.
3. Campaign for, endorse, or otherwise promote a candidate in the name of Wheaton College.
4. Violate or operate outside the College’s Room Reservations and Campus Scheduling Policy and
Procedures found in the Student Involvement Programming Guide on the Wheaton College
Portal.
5. Use the College’s resources to support a political campaign or political party (e.g., mailing lists,
office space, computers, vehicles, or copy machines).
6. Permit use of College’s resources by non-Wheaton students for politically related activities.
7. Promote a political cause that violates the Community Covenant.
Student groups are expected to:
1. Seek permission through the Visiting Speaker Application before inviting a current elected
official who is not actively campaigning for office to speak to a student group meeting or in a
student group sponsored lecture (see the Visiting Speaker Policy & Procedures).
2. Seek permission through the Visiting Speaker Application before inviting candidates actively
campaigning for office to speak to a student group meeting or to speak to a student group
sponsored campus event with the understanding that in the three months leading up to an
election, inviting candidates actively campaigning for office can only be done in the context of
joint invitations as noted in # 2 the section above describing what student groups are permitted
to do (see the Visiting Speaker Policy & Procedures).
Policy on Public Display of Art Related to Language
The Wheaton College Community Covenant acknowledges Scripture’s condemnation of vulgar or
obscene language, but our campus community also experiences expressions (especially via the arts) of
outrage and resistance to violations of life’s sanctity. The College highly values the power of art to
uniquely embody and communicate what it means to be human. We marvel at the ability and privilege of
people to exercise their powers of art making. When artwork wields these powers through making use of
vulgar, obscene, or violent language and/or images, the College exhibits the work with discretion about
its location and its impact on viewers of all ages. Artworks with challenging and difficult messages are
exhibited in a publicly accessible space as a part of a dedicated event sponsored by a campus department,
organization and/or club. The College’s practice has been to avoid the exhibition of explicitly vulgar or
obscene content in public places like the Beamer Center. Sponsored events require collaboration
between the artist and the faculty/staff and student leader(s) of the sponsoring department,
organization and/or club along with the Director of Student Involvement and an Art department faculty
member. Such collaboration will consider artistic efficacy and the ethical accountability to artist and
viewers in discerning exhibition parameters.
Sales Policy
Salespersons from off campus are not permitted to solicit or sell on campus. Salespersons from off
campus, however, are permitted to advertise through the College Post Office (CPO). CPO charges
$260 (profit) and $150 (nonprofit) per campus mailing. Selling of products by Wheaton College
students is permitted subject to the following requirements:
1. Register with the Student Involvement Office concerning intent to sell.
2. Storage of products must not infringe upon the reasonable living rights and comfort of
roommate(s), nor interfere with designated storage areas.
3. Door-to-door selling and phone solicitation are prohibited.
4. No food products are to be sold in the residence halls.
5. All contacts for purchasing must be initiated by the consumer.
6. Beamer Student Center display tables are not permissible for student sales and business.
7. Personal gain on the good name of the College or use of Wheaton College facilities for personal
gain is not permissible.
8. Advertisements may be placed on the Beamer Student Center Bargain Board and in the
residence halls.
All other advertisement options are subject to the discretion of the Director of Student Involvement.
Senior Bench Activity Guidelines
The Senior Bench is a student-initiated tradition governed by students.
Origins
The origins of the legendary Senior Bench that has sparked rivalry over the last half century are obscure.
Some speculation suggests that the Bench was gifted to Wheaton College by the class of 1912, while
other sources believe it did not arrive on campus until the late 1920s. A 1934 Tower photo first pictured
the Bench in the location where it would remain for years—outside the west doors of Blanchard Hall
facing south. Over the years, the tradition developed that only seniors sat on the bench, and it was thus
dubbed the “Senior Bench.”
Sometime around 1947, the top of the Bench, which measured three inches by two feet by seven feet and
weighed over eight-hundred pounds, came loose, and the juniors would sometimes remove it and hide it
from the seniors. Such acts did not elicit much response, so the Bench was always returned. The turning
point came in May 1949; while the seniors were on their Senior Sneak, the junior class (’50) took the
bench but did not return it. Since then, there has been a rivalry between the Junior and Senior Classes
for possession of the bench.
Purpose
One way that we as a campus celebrate and build our community can be through this long-standing
rivalry. In appreciating this tradition, as in all things, we seek to honor God in how we experience this
tradition. We also seek to be consistent with our Community Covenant as well as city, county, state and
federal laws, by coordinating a spirit of playfulness that is in agreement with a biblical lifestyle. While
there may be individual opinions on what is appropriate in bench activity, we embrace a spirit that
celebrates our community and builds it up. Therefore, we uphold guidelines on how the bench rivalry is
to be planned, organized and implemented.
Involvement
1. Bench activity is limited to the Junior and Senior classes.
2. Non-College or off-campus individuals are not to be involved.
Intentionality
Bench activity is expected to be intentionally planned. Therefore, it is recommended that emphasis
should be placed on ingenuity and wit that reflects careful consideration of outcomes and expectations
of the events.
Planning
1. The responsibility of planning bench activity rests on the class that has possession of the bench.
2. The bench will at all times be within a five-mile radius of Blanchard Hall.
3. When hidden, at least half of the bench must be clearly visible to a person standing three feet
away.
4. The bench’s location must be known at all times by the president of the class in possession of the
bench.
5. If the Senior class has possession of the bench at time of graduation it must be passed onto the
outgoing Sophomore class within five days of Commencement.
6. A valid showing occurs when 50 students of the opposing class view the bench. Normally, a
random group of 200 students would meet this criterion.
Criteria
1. All bench activity must be consistent with the Community Covenant.
2. All city, county, state and federal laws will be followed at all times (i.e., speed limits must be
observed in transporting the bench).
3. Rules of fair play must be observed at all times (i.e., deliberate property damage and fighting are
prohibited).
4. The bench will not be shown during chapel, convocations and other prominent events where it
would be in poor taste (i.e., the Senior Banquet, a famous guest-speaker, Conservatory concerts,
etc.).
Number of Showings
Each academic year, there will be a minimum of two and a maximum of four bench showings.
Social Dancing and Dance Event Guidelines
Dance is one way that Wheaton College celebrates life and builds community. We seek to be consistent
with our Community Covenant by planning campus social dance events that integrate our lives around
Christian principles and devotion to Jesus Christ. We embrace dance that celebrates the College’s ethnic
diversity and builds Christ-centered community. To that end, the College upholds guidelines related to
both social dancing and dance events.
The Community Covenant codifies the official dance policy of Wheaton College when it states:
“Campus dances will take place only with official College sponsorship. All members of the Wheaton
College community will take care to avoid any entertainment or behavior, on or off campus, which may
be immodest, sinfully erotic, or harmfully violent. (Eph. 4:1-2, 17-24; 1 Tim. 5:2; Gal. 5:22-23)”
These guidelines build on the Community Covenant’s vision for God-honoring celebration by
describing boundaries for social dancing and dance events that respect the spirit of the Community
Covenant, to love God and others.
Social Dancing and Dance Event Philosophy
Wheaton College seeks to cultivate a campus atmosphere that encourages spiritual, moral and
intellectual growth. Out of our love for each other, at times, members of the community give up
individual freedom for the growth of the Christ-like community.
The dance guidelines seek to live within the tensions of the God-given freedom we enjoy as members of
a temporary Christian community while avoiding legalism. The intent of the dance guidelines is to
create opportunities for the Wheaton Community to celebrate dance as a form of cultural expression
and for that experience to be one that encourages mutual edification and the glorification of God. The
guidelines also seek to create a space for those who wish to enjoy dance in appropriate off-campus
venues.
Campus residence halls, apartments, and houses include students with a variety of perspectives on music
and dance. These guidelines acknowledge and seek to honor these distinctions that enrich the campus
community while at the same time clarifying communal expectations that are intended to encourage
honoring and life-giving engagement in dancing on campus while avoiding the glorification as well as the
objectification of the human body.
Out of respect for the wide range of individual experience, the campus community needs to be
particularly careful in the selection of music, style of dance movement and dance attire, as well as the
environment created for dance to occur. The Dean for Student Engagement is responsible for
overseeing a careful process of approving and supervising campus social dance events that build
community life.
Social Dancing Guidelines
Below are ways to clarify and extend freedom in the areas of social dancing, with attention being given to
the appropriate selection of music content, dance style and dance attire:
• Enjoy campus dance events that are purposely and carefully approved by the Dean for Student
Engagement.
• Engage in dance styles in off-campus locations that are God-honoring.
• Spontaneously dance with campus members of the same gender in campus housing units.
• Allow for spontaneous movement at concerts and in times of worship where the focus is not on
social dancing.
• Rehearse choreography for other campus-sanctioned events (e.g. Talent Show, Confessions).
Social Dance Event Oversight
Any Wheaton social dance event, held on or off campus, must be sponsored and supervised by the
Intercultural Arts and Media Office (College Union), Student Involvement Office (Class Councils, or
an officially chartered special interest club, such as the Swing Club, whose mission is to foster
community through dance); and/or the Office of Multicultural Development (which includes Gospel
Choir, Koinonia, Unidad Christiana, or the William Osborne Society)). For each social dance, an event
proposal must be submitted to the respective office Director a minimum of six weeks in advance of the
event. The Director will bring a recommendation to the Dean for Student Engagement. All dances will
be denied or approved by the Dean for Student Engagement within one week of receipt of the
application. If and when a dance is approved, a request may then be submitted for official space approval
via the Campus Scheduling Office. All dance events must be attended/overseen by a College staff
member from the sponsoring office(s).
Social Dance Event Guidelines
1. Dance events are expected to be intentionally planned. Therefore, all dance events must have
programmatic themes that reflect clear planning and careful consideration of outcomes and
expectations.
2. Campus-wide dance events are open to the Wheaton College community. This includes
students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni, and their guests.
3. Non-College or off-campus groups are not to be invited.
4. All music, lyrics and dance style should be consistent with the Community Covenant and pre-
approved by the appropriate Student Engagement Director.
5. The following considerations should be taken into account when planning campus social dance
events: venue capacity, attire expectations for attendees, sound ordinances, beginning and
ending times, structural security of the venue, and other events on the campus calendar.
6. The social dance event and its location must be approved by a Student Engagement Director
and the Dean for Student Engagement prior to submitting a request for space for official event
approval (see above).
7. The student leaders planning the dance event will be responsible for compliance with all social
dance event guidelines, the care of the facility that is being used, and the conduct of all attendees.
College staff members attending/supervising the dance event will intervene if necessary.
Privileges to sponsor campus-wide dance events may be suspended in response to a lack of
compliance with guidelines for dance events, failure to care for the facility, and/or in response to
the inappropriate conduct of attendees.
Dance can be fun, healthy, and glorifying to God, and Wheaton College wants to encourage an
appreciation for and a godly use of this gift he has given. Please approach the Dean for Student
Engagement with any questions about the Social Dancing and Dance Event Guidelines, whether of a
philosophical or practical nature.
Speech, Public Expression, and Public Assembly Policy
The First Amendment in the United States Constitution provides freedom of speech protection from
government interference with the speech of private citizens. However, private institutions are also free to
determine their own limits on permissible speech, public expression, and public assembly within their
communities. At Wheaton College, the Community Covenant provides foundational guidance for the
boundaries of speech, public expression, and public assembly in our community.
According to the Community Covenant, whole person education at Wheaton is built on the biblical
foundation of Christian community expressed in Jesus’ two Great Commandments: “Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and, “Love your neighbor as
yourself” (Matt. 22:37-40).
The Community Covenant provides biblical guidance to help the College live out its mission and calls
its members “to cultivate a campus atmosphere that encourages spiritual, moral and intellectual growth.”
On the one hand, students who voluntarily join the Wheaton College community must accept that
speech, public expression, and public assembly that foster growth require inclusion of even those ideas
with which students disagree. However, an environment that fosters spiritual, moral, and intellectual
growth also requires that speech, public expression, and public assembly must be constrained by the two
Great Commandments: love for God and love for others.
Scripture instructs us in the practical application of love for God and others through its exhortation
toward peace (Ps. 34:14; Rom. 12:18; Rom. 14:19) and unity (Eph. 4:1-3) in Jesus Christ (John 16:33;
John 20:21; Eph. 4:4-7). Such peace and unity does not simply result from the absence of anger and/or
dissent, but rather results from the way in which anger and/or dissent are expressed, namely, after first
listening with the goal to consider the interests of others, and then speaking gently, truthfully, and
lovingly from a desire to build up one another and to pursue peace as living witnesses of God’s love for
the world (Prov. 15:1; James 1:19; Eph. 4:15; Phil. 2:4; John 17:20-23).
Examples of speech, public expression, and public assembly at the College may include posting on digital
platforms; offering verbal comments at College-sponsored events or activities; writing for student-run
publications; organizing a campus program; posting in designated public spaces; and organizing as well
as participating in peaceful and orderly demonstrations, rallies, and/or equivalent activity on College
property to raise awareness and/or call the community to pray and/or act.
The following guidance seeks to articulate the application of the College’s vision related to boundaries
around speech, public expression, and public assembly in light of our voluntary agreement to join the
Wheaton College community and uphold the promises and shared vision of the Community Covenant:
1. Speech, public expression, and/or public assembly must be respectful to fellow students as well
as the women and men who provide daily classroom instruction and/or administrative
leadership on campus, supervision at College-sponsored events, and those conducting and
participating in worship, and may not disrupt or interfere with private residences and living
spaces, the outside and inside of Edman Chapel before worship services begin, any other
location that impairs the ability of campus employees to conduct day-to-day business or
ministry.
2. Scripture instructs us to know what God hates (Prov. 6:16). Speech that displays, affirms or
promotes the following may be considered hateful and thus is to be avoided: 1) an attitude of
superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior; 2) lying or false
witness; 3) murder or physical violence; 4) plans causing or likely to cause harm; and/or 5)
quarreling.
3. Artwork that displays explicit human frontal nudity will not be exhibited in public spaces; please
see the Policy on Artistic Expression of the Human Body in the Student Handbook for more
information.
4. The College’s practice has been to avoid the exhibition of explicitly vulgar or obscene content in
public places; please see the Policy on Public Display of Art Related to Language in the Student
Handbook for more information.
5. Student groups recognized by a College department, school, program or office are permitted to
consider inviting visiting speakers from off campus to advance their respective group’s mission,
which ultimately should contribute to the mission of Wheaton College; please see the Visiting
Speaker Policy & Procedures for more information.
6. In order to maintain the beauty of our campus and to ensure the safety of students, no chalk
messages are to be written on College property (walls, sidewalks, signs, and buildings). There
are limited exceptions chalk messages on approved pavement areas that have been approved in
advance by the Student Involvement Office only for the promotion of College approved events;
please see the Campus Promotion Policy for more information. In order to be approved and
stamped by the Student Involvement Office for posting on approved campus bulletin boards, all
campus-wide posters must include the sponsoring campus department; please see the Campus
Promotion Policy.
7. Students must not send unsolicited e-mail messages, including “junk mail” or other advertising
material, to individuals who did not specifically request such material for commercial ventures,
solicitations, religious or political causes, outside organizations, or other non-Wheaton-related
endeavors; please see the Campus-Wide Email Policy for Recognized Student Groups and the
Technology Acceptable Use Policy for more information.
8. Wheaton College considers stereotyping members of a historically marginalized group and/or
portraying the rituals, symbols, behaviors and/or dress of a historically marginalized group for
the primary purpose of humor to be a failure of our commitment to each other as described in
the Community Covenant. Such stereotyping will likely have detrimental effects and ought to be
avoided; please refer to the Ethic of Care to Prevent the Stereotyping of Groups in Student
Programming/Activities in the Student Handbook for more information.
9. The Wheaton College Community Covenant upholds the God-given worth of human beings as
the unique image-bearers of God. There is no place within our community and under the
Community Covenant for bullying (any persistent or repeated conduct that seeks to intimidate
or coerce someone); please see the Bullying Policy for more information.
10. Given the imperative to love our neighbors as ourselves found in Scripture and emphasized in
the Community Covenant, students are expected to avoid malicious behavior (communicating
and/or demonstrating the intention or threat to harm); please see the Malicious Behavior
Policy for more information.
11. Anonymous speech limits follow-up dialogue between the author(s) and members of the
campus community who wish to engage. Additionally, anonymous expression may implicitly
encourage the use of language that personally attacks rather than engaging the merits of the
content with which an anonymous author disagrees. Considering these weaknesses, the College
cautions students against the use of anonymous speech.
12. While students and student groups may express personal political views and engage in political
activities, it is important that they do so only as an individual or as a group whose individual
members decide to express similar opinions or organize in support of similar political activities;
speaking or acting for the College in political matters must be avoided. Wheaton College is a
not-for-profit charitable institution of higher education and is exempt from federal income tax
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which states that not-for-profit
organizations are prohibited from "participating in or intervening in (including the publishing or
distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any
candidate for public office." See the Political Involvement & Campaign Activity Policy for more
information.
13. Since Wheaton College is a non-partisan institution, signs, symbols, banners, posters, slogans
and/or messages that promote political candidates and/or parties may be displayed on the
interior areas of a student’s living space in keeping with the Residence Life Room Care Policy
and/or on someone’s person or personal property. Such items are prohibited in community-
facing areas such as doors, windows, hallways, external walls, porches, or lawns owned by
Wheaton College, which include but are not limited to residence halls, apartments, and houses
as well as academic, athletic and student service buildings. See the Political Involvement &
Campaign Activity Policy for more information.
14. Public assembly organizers must collaborate with a Student Government board member and a
Student Development Division Director, Dean, or Vice President to establish a time, place, and
manner for any student organized public assembly, as well as to enhance cooperation and
communication before a public assembly occurs on matters such as, but not limited to, planning
a place for persons dissenting to the public assembly to gather and express their perspectives.
15. Material published in official student publications is governed by the Student Publications
Constitution, which is available upon request from [email protected].
16. Student interest in organizing a public or private forum or listening session should be directed to
an elected Student Government representative, who will collaborate with the appropriate
Student Development Director, Dean or Vice President and if necessary, with the appropriate
Senior Administrative Cabinet and or Faculty member for consideration, decision-making and
planning.
17. Public advocacy for beliefs and/or behaviors that are contrary to the Community Covenant
and/or Student Handbook are not considered permissible speech, public expression, and/or
public assembly. Student dissent about the College’s biblical convictions and/or policies may be
directed personally to an elected Student Government representative, a Student Development
Division Director, Dean or Vice President, and/or a member of the Senior Administrative
Cabinet.
18. Students who disregard the guidance outlined in this document in their speech, public
expression, and/or public assembly may subject themselves to legal action (if local, state, and/or
federal law is violated) and/or action under the Student Conduct Policy or other relevant
College policies such as the Disruptive Behavior Policy.
Student Involvement Programming Guide
The Student Involvement Programming Guide is a resource for student groups to navigate College
procedures, operations, and policies. The Guide is full of resources to help student groups be effective
and successful. Student groups are encouraged to read and reference the Student Involvement
Programming Guide throughout the year as questions arise or contact Student Involvement. Please note
that policies and procedures change frequently, so information contained in this guide is subject to
change without prior notice.
Student Involvement functions as a primary link between a student group and the College. If a student
group reports to a different office on campus, that corresponding office will serve in this role.
Sunday Activities Policy
The planning of Sunday activities should be sensitive to the biblical imperative, “Remember the Sabbath
day by keeping it holy.” Only activities that are worship oriented or of a specific spiritual nature can be
scheduled on Sundays. No activities will be scheduled for Sunday mornings. This reflects our
commitment to involvement in local churches. Students needing clarification are encouraged to talk
with the Dean for Student Engagement.
The rationale for the policy stated above is to encourage an observance of Sunday that is in keeping with
biblical principles of God’s grace, Christian freedom, and personal responsibility. The College endeavors
to define Sunday as a day that the community “rests” from “business as usual.” While recognizing the
need to maintain certain services for a residential campus, the emphasis of the day is on worship,
fellowship, deeds of mercy and rest that are physical, spiritual, and emotional.
Tower Bell Ringing Policy
Ringing the Tower Bell in Blanchard is one of Wheaton College’s oldest traditions. It is rung to celebrate
and announce engagements and weddings of students and alumni. At the sound of the bell, the College
community enters into the joy of the announcement. Reservations to ring the bell must be made in the
Student Involvement Office at least three working days in advance.
Visiting Speaker Policy & Procedures for Recognized Student Groups
Preamble
Wheaton College serves Jesus Christ and advances His Kingdom through excellence in liberal arts and
graduate programs that educate the whole person to build the church and benefit society worldwide.
Inviting visiting speakers to campus is one example of how recognized student groups support the
College’s mission to educate whole persons. Inviting visiting speakers to campus (who may or may not
follow Jesus Christ) facilitates opportunities to respectfully engage different ideas, deepens an
understanding of truth, and develops discernment. The following policy and procedures provide
guidance to recognized student groups who desire to invite visiting speakers to campus; they do not
apply to faculty or staff in campus departments, programs, offices, and/or schools. Visiting speaker event
planning must also be consistent with the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook
and the Student Involvement Programming Guide.
Policy
1. Student groups must be recognized by a College department, school, program or office in order
to invite a visiting speaker to campus.
2. Student groups recognized by a College department, school, program or office are permitted to
consider inviting visiting speakers from off campus to advance their respective group’s mission,
which ultimately should contribute to the mission of Wheaton College.
3. Individual students interested in inviting a visiting speaker to campus must approach a
recognized student group’s leadership with the idea; the group’s student leadership must agree
to sponsor the visiting speaker, which means completing the procedures described below.
4. The invitation to a visiting speaker must originate with the student group.
5. The intended outcome for a campus program, including one that includes inviting a
visiting speaker to campus, should be discussed and clarified by a student group.
6. Careful consideration ought to be given to assessing how the campus context might impact the
proposed event.
7. Visiting speakers should be considered for their potential to enhance the intellectual,
spiritual, moral, physical and/or relational growth of the Wheaton College community
while also helping the student group pursue its intended outcome.
8. Potential visiting speakers whom student groups desire to address contested ideas /
controversial topics and / or who may hold convictions contrary to the College’s theological and
moral convictions can be welcome additions to campus programming; the development and
evaluation of a thoroughly Christian perspective can be strengthened by critical interaction with
differing points of view. Potential visiting speakers should strengthen participants’ commitment
to the College’s mission to educate whole persons For Christ and His Kingdom.
9. No visiting speaker honoraria and travel related expenses may be paid by a source outside
Wheaton College. Visiting speaker honoraria and travel related expenses must be paid solely
from the College account issued to the recognized student group and/or from a combination of
College accounts from College related co-sponsors.
Procedures
After reflecting on the above policy, the following procedures, outlined on the Visiting Speaker
Request Form available in the Student Involvement Office, must be completed by students from
the sponsoring group(s).
1. State the name of the student group that desires to invite a visiting speaker and what
department, program, school, or office recognizes the group.
2. State the mission of the student group and how the potential visiting speaker could advance this
mission and the College mission.
3. Describe the desired outcome(s) for the potential visiting speaker.
4. Conduct research about the potential visiting speaker(s) (e.g., personal websites, books/articles
written by/about them, social media platforms such as blogs, vlogs, podcasts, YouTube,
Instagram, Twitter, etc.). Include the search word “controversy” along with the potential visiting
speaker’s name and note past controversies as well as the context surrounding such
controversies.
5. Review the Ethic of Care to Prevent Stereotyping of Students in Student Programming, located
in the Student Handbook, then test the potential impact of the potential speaker on the variety
of Wheaton College community members.
6. Share all the results with the student group’s faculty or staff advisor in order to identify if any
concerns rule out the person under consideration for not being able to advance the mission of
the student group, accomplish the intended outcome, contribute to the College’s mission,
and/or because the speaker will likely be insensitive to the Wheaton College context.
7. Potential visiting speakers, if pre-approved by the student group’s faculty or staff advisor after
the research step above are completed to her/his satisfaction, may be contacted to explore the
potential speaker’s interest, College expectations outlined on the Visiting Speaker Agreement
Form, availability, honorarium expectations and estimated expenses (i.e., travel, food), with no
invitation extended by the student group. Determine the exact title of the potential visiting
speaker’s lecture/presentation. If the potential visiting speaker already has a prepared title for
her/his lecture/presentation, the group should discuss if the title is of interest and if it advances
the mission of the student group or the intended outcome of the program, while contributing to
the College’s mission with sensitivity to the Wheaton context.
8. Draft marketing content (e.g., poster, campus announcement text, etc.) must be designed
by the student group, not the potential visiting speaker, and must be responsive to
guidance in the Ethic of Care to Prevent Stereotyping in Student Programming.
9. Secure a Wheaton College faculty or staff member to moderate the lecture/presentation if
followed by a Q & A time. A faculty or staff member may also co-moderate the
lecture/presentation Q & A with a student. Planning audience engagement with the
visiting speaker through a moderated question and answer format following the speaker’s
lecture/presentation is strongly encouraged. During the Q & A discussion time following
the lecture/presentation, the moderator is expected to exercise the liberty of screening
questions that are trivial, ambiguous, or indiscreetly worded.
10. Determine how the potential visiting speaker’s honorarium and expenses will be paid from
the College account issued to the recognized student group and/or from a combination of
College accounts from College related co-sponsors. Refer to the Fundraising Guidelines in
the Student Involvement Programming Guide regarding acceptable fundraising practices
and how to properly deposit and spend fundraised monies from the student group’s
College account number.
11. If interested, contact Academic & Institutional Technology to determine the cost to record
the lecture/presentation and where the student group will store such a recording. Please
note that a visitor speaker may require her/his approval form be utilized in addition to
Wheaton College’s Student Group Visiting Speaker Agreement Form.
12. Seek approval of the Visiting Speaker Request Form from the sponsoring student group’s
faculty or staff advisor, after all the steps outlined in the Visiting Speaker Procedures have
been completed.
13. The Visiting Speaker Request Form will then be submitted, upon completion, to the Dean for
Student Engagement, or her/his designee, for consideration within three weeks by the Visiting
Speaker Board consisting of one student appointed by Student Government, one faculty
member appointed by the Provost (or her/his designee), the Chief Intercultural Engagement
Officer, or her/his designee, and chaired by the Dean. NOTE: Student groups are strongly
encouraged to start planning at least one semester in advance in order to allow ample time to
complete the steps outlined in this document; many other student groups, campus departments,
programs and schools are also planning campus programs.
14. Secure a signed copied of the Visiting Speaker Agreement Form and submit to the Dean
for Student Engagement for a signature on behalf of the College.
Approval by the Visiting Speaker Board is required before the student group is permitted to invite the
visiting speaker, reserve campus space for the lecture/presentation, finalize the marketing material (with
the speaker’s approval where expected) and print the posters to be approved by the Student
Involvement Office (after showing the Visiting Speaker Board approval) before posting on public
bulletin boards.
The Visiting Speaker Board reserves the right to refuse student group requests that it determines are
outside its mission, are insensitive to the campus context, will likely not meet the desired outcome(s),
and/or do not contribute to the College mission.
Inviting visiting speakers to campus is a privilege. Student groups that invite a visiting speaker to
campus without following the policy and procedures outlined in this document risk their student
group forfeiting being able to invite visiting speakers to campus for a period of time. Multiple
violations place the student group’s recognition at risk of being revoked by the Dean for Student
Engagement.
The Dean for Student Engagement reserves the right to interpret the Visiting Speaker Policy and
Procedures as the Wheaton College staff person responsible for their implementation.
Please note: The visiting speaker and his/her views should be treated with a respectful and gracious
spirit. The student introducing the visiting speaker may consider a statement expressing this
expectation. For example, “Dr. Jane Doe is a visiting speaker to Wheaton College and an invited
guest of the Turtle Society. Our hope is that Dr. Doe’s lecture/presentation tonight will help
advance our mission to save painted turtles while also contributing to the whole person educational
mission of Wheaton College For Christ and His Kingdom. We invite you to consider her ideas with
a respectful and gracious spirit, especially where you hear points of disagreement.”
Student Wellness Policies and Procedures
Class Attendance and Excused Absence Policy
In-class attendance is fundamental to effective, quality teaching and learning at the College level.
Students are expected to attend classes in person and follow the attendance requirements as outlined by
individual professors in their respective class syllabi. Remote learning is only permitted for graduate
school online or hybrid courses. This policy does not supersede an individual professor’s attendance
guidelines as recorded in the course syllabus.
In addition to academic course requirements, students are encouraged to be involved in a limited
number of co-curricular activities in order to prioritize classroom learning. The College’s expectation is
that students will not be absent from class because of a co-curricular activity unless previously approved
by the professor. Students participating in varsity athletics should refer to the Varsity Student Athlete
Class Attendance Policy.
Student Wellness and Student Health Services, respectively, may issue a Notification of Absence to a
faculty member to make them aware of a student not being present only in the case of a contagious or
prolonged illness (three or more days), a family crisis (e.g., death in the immediate family),
hospitalization, participation in a treatment program, or other crisis situations* that are unavoidable
and/or unexpected. When possible, requests for excused absences will be made in advance of missing
class.
No more than a total of two weeks of excused absences per semester for full semester classes or a total of
one week for quad classes may be requested. If a student needs an absence request for more than a total
of two weeks of classes (for semester classes) or a total of one week of classes (for quad classes), the
Dean of Student Wellness may compel a student to take a Leave of Absence or withdraw from one or
more classes if remaining enrolled precludes the student from initiating and completing the treatment
recommended by a health professional for the purpose of preserving the student’s health and safety,
and/or if remaining enrolled is likely to result in a failing grade based on feedback from course
instructor(s). Consulting with Student Financial Services is important before withdrawing from one or
more courses because of the potential impact of a course reduction on a student’s financial aid.
In the case of emergencies, illness, or injury, students should make the request for excusal as soon as they
are able to do so by emailing Student Wellness at student.well[email protected]. Retroactive requests
for excusals (more than 2 weeks in the past) may be denied. If Student Wellness or Student Health
Services, respectively, is not able to confirm a medical reason for the absence request, they may require
that a licensed medical professional submit an official letter to document the reason.
Students who have a chronic, documented medical/mental health condition with unpredictable or
cyclical acute episodes should refer to the guidance on ADA Accommodations for Attendance as well as
instructions for how to request accommodations here.
Faculty members are encouraged to complete a C.A.R.E.S. referral when a student 1) has been absent
from class for longer than one week, and/or 2) has reported experiencing, or faculty observes, medical or
mental health concerns, such as depressive or anxiety symptoms, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks,
disheveled appearance, bizarre behavior, or changes in behavioral patterns that negatively impact class
attendance.
Examples of absence requests that are not supported, include unpreparedness, co-curricular activities,
family vacations, non-academic travel, short-term non-contagious illnesses, and competing course
assignment deadlines. If students desire to be absent from class because of circumstances that fall
outside the bounds of a class syllabus or an excused absence request, students should communicate
directly with the professor to request the absence. Students with excessive unexcused absences are
subject to syllabus requirements including any consequences as determined by the instructor.
Questions or concerns should be directed to the Dean of Student Wellness at
student.wellness@wheaton.edu.
*Determination of “other crisis situations” is done on a case-by-case basis.
Communicable Disease and Immunization Policy
Definition
A communicable disease is defined as any condition which is transmitted directly or indirectly to a
person from an infected person or animal. A communicable disease includes, but is not limited to,
coronavirus; influenza; tuberculosis; infectious mononucleosis; acquired immune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS), and positive HIV antibody status; hepatitis A, B, C, and D; meningitis; pertussis; mumps;
measles; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); sexually transmitted infections; and certain
tropical diseases.
Purpose
The objective of this policy is to promote the health and physical safety of students as well as the
Wheaton community, and to articulate the boundaries around when information regarding a
communicable disease and/or immunization status may be shared with others.
Policy
Students are required to comply with Wheaton College medical entrance requirements and the State of
Illinois immunization laws, found in the Illinois College Student Immunization Act at 110 ILCS 20.
Under this law, students must receive all required immunizations unless they provide a certificate of
medical exemption or statement of religious objection. However, students with medical exemptions or
religious exemptions may be required to leave the Wheaton College campus in the event a
communicable disease that is vaccine-preventable presents on campus as described below.
Students must inform Student Health Services if they believe they may have a communicable disease,
whether or not they are symptomatic. Students with a communicable disease, in consultation with
Student Health Services, may be allowed regular in-person classroom attendance, co-curricular
involvement, and work attendance in a non-restrictive manner if they are medically proven to not pose a
threat for transmission of the disease.
When, as recommended by Student Health Services, there is a medical justification for restricting
students who have or are suspected of having a communicable disease from accessing College buildings
and/or activities to help prevent the spread of the disease, Student Health Services will require the
students to remain quarantined in their living spaces or in a designated isolation space on campus for a
specified amount of time with instructions about meal delivery and/or meal pickup.
When there is a medical justification, Student Health Services may also require students to complete
medical testing.
Medical information—that is, specific information regarding clinical treatment or diagnosis—related to
communicable diseases of students shall be kept confidential and shared only with employees with a
work-related need to know the medical information. Medical information will only be released beyond
those employees with a need to know after a specific written consent is signed by the student unless
providing such information is required by state and/or federal law. Information such as quarantine
status, compliance with public health expectations and protocols, or required mask status is not
considered medical information for the purposes of this policy. The College recognizes that vaccination
status is sensitive information, and will generally retain vaccination status information in the same
manner as medical information as described above, with the following additional uses:
• In the aggregate: to make public health decisions within the guidance of this policy.
• At the individual level, to determine whether a student must complete entry and/or periodic
testing; inform individual treatment decisions at Student Health Services; determine
appropriate isolation and quarantine procedures after exposure or a positive test result; and/or
make medical/disability accommodation decisions.
Student noncompliance with Wheaton College public health expectations and protocols is not
considered medical information. The implications of such non-compliance may necessitate
communication to College employees who need to know the implications of non-compliance in order to
protect the public health of the campus community.
The President of the College, or person(s) designated by the President:
1. Shall take responsibility for designing and implementing procedures in keeping with the
Communicable Disease and Immunization Policy.
2. Has the authority to exclude from campus (or to take any other action considered appropriate
with respect to) anyone who has or who is suspected of having a communicable disease, and/or
who fails to comply with the implementation of communicable disease procedures to prevent its
spread.
3. May make any decisions relating to whether the College should be closed or its programs
and/or services modified, based on consultation with guidance from the County Health
Department, State Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control as well as other relevant
sources.
4. Is required to report the existence of certain communicable diseases to the County and State
Health Department.
Health & Wellness Fee Policy
A Health & Wellness Fee of $150 per semester is charged to the account of every degree-seeking
undergraduate student enrolled in classes on the main Wheaton College campus, except F1 visa students
who already incur a mandatory third-party provider insurance charge.
The Health & Wellness fee helps ensure that the College has the human resources to continue providing
access to quality counseling and medical care in support of individual and community health.
The fee does not cover medications, lab tests, lab drawing fee, immunizations, allergy injections, medical
supplies, or minor medical procedures.
Graduate Students
Graduate students may voluntarily choose to opt-in to the Health & Wellness Fee each semester.
Students who do not opt-in are charged the current $45 first time visit fee and subsequent $30 per visit
fee to see a doctor or a nurse practitioner at Student Health Services; a per visit fee to see a counselor in
the Counseling Center will also be charged according to the schedule below:
• Sessions 1 – 3 will be charged at $10 each
• Sessions 4 – 6 will be charged at $20 each
• Sessions 7 – 9 will be charged at $30 each
• Sessions 10 and beyond will be charged at $60 each
Access to Counseling Center and Student Health Services
Paying the Health & Wellness Fee does not mean that students have unlimited access to the Counseling
Center and Student Health Services. Wheaton College clinicians providing the service will exercise
clinical judgment to determine the appropriate frequency and duration of mental health and/or medical
treatment. This determination will be based on best practices as well as current legal and ethical
standards. Chronic health conditions may necessitate that a student is referred to an off-campus
specialist to support some or all their health care needs.
Off-Campus Academic Programs
Students participating in an off-campus academic program full-time (e.g., Human Needs & Global
Resources, Wheaton in Chicago, Study Abroad, etc.) will not be billed a Health & Wellness fee.
Refunds
The Health & Wellness Fee is non-refundable to students who withdraw from Wheaton College after
classes begin.
Appeals
Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy
It is the policy of Wheaton College to foster a campus environment that is conducive to learning,
promotes the College's educational purposes, maintains reasonable order, and protects the rights and
safety of all members of the College community. In certain circumstances, the College may place a
student on an Involuntary Leave of Absence or take other appropriate action for reasons of personal or
community safety, subject to the procedure outlined below.
This policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate students of the College and to all College
locations, courses, programs, and activities. This policy does not apply to doctoral students. In addition
to utilizing this policy, the College also reserves the right to take action under the College’s Student
Conduct Policy. This policy does not preclude the removal or dismissal of students from the College, its
courses, programs, activities, and/or College-owned facilities in the College’s discretion or as a result of
the violation of other College policies, procedures, rules, or regulations.
Policy
A student may be required to take an Involuntary Leave of Absence from the College and/or be
involuntarily removed from College courses, programs, activities, and/or facilities if the College
determines that:
• The student presents a danger to the life, health, welfare, safety, or property of any member of
the College community or other person;
• The student presents a risk of concerning or troubling behavior that is disruptive; and/or
• The student’s conduct or circumstance renders him or her unable to:
o Function safely without harming himself or herself, harming one or more other
individuals.
o Comply with professional recommendations for mental health and/or physical medical
treatment.
o Be helped by mental health or medical treatment.
Conduct-related rationale for Involuntary Leave of Absence may include but is not limited to engaging
in or activity involving: disruptive behavior, malicious behavior (i.e., communicating and/or
demonstrating the intention or threat of harm to a person(s)), and/or behavior that demonstrates an
inability to take care of oneself. An example of a circumstance that may necessitate an Involuntary Leave
of Absence is when a student has exhausted all excused absences or will miss two weeks or more of a
semester class (one week or more of a quad class) and has been required to complete intensive
treatment to address medical and/or mental health concerns.
The procedure outlined below will be initiated only (1) on the basis of actual risks and not on mere
speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations about individuals with disabilities; (2) after reasonable
attempts to secure a student’s voluntary cooperation for a medical or psychological evaluation or Leave
of Absence have been pursued; or (3) if a student refuses to agree to, or does not adhere to reasonable
conditions established for:
• The student's return or readmission to the College,
• The student’s continued presence on campus, or continued presence in College courses,
housing or other College program or activity.
Procedure
The Dean of Student Wellness or a designee may be alerted to an undergraduate or a graduate student’s
concerning or troubling conduct from a variety of sources on campus; concerning or troubling conduct
related to a graduate student is likely to be shared first with the Director of Graduate Student Life or the
appropriate Academic Dean. If the Dean of Student Wellness deems it appropriate, this procedure may
be initiated, subject to any modifications that the College deems appropriate in its discretion. Any
pending conduct proceedings will usually be suspended pending a meeting with the student and
evaluation of the student under this procedure, but this is a matter reserved to the College’s discretion.
1. Information gathering. Upon initiation of this procedure, the Dean of Student Wellness will
consult on a confidential basis with others in the campus community who have knowledge
regarding the student’s conduct and circumstances and other appropriate persons with
knowledge about the student’s condition and circumstances (e.g., parents, healthcare providers)
to determine whether the student is able to comply with this policy.
2. Initial meeting with student/possible voluntary leave. If possible, under the circumstances, the
Dean of Student Wellness will schedule a meeting with the student as part of the information
gathering process; meetings with graduate students will include the Director of Graduate
Student Life. The student may be accompanied by a non-attorney advisor. At any time, the Dean
of Student Wellness may discuss with the student whether the student wishes to take a voluntary
leave and may also attach appropriate readmission conditions to the granting of any such leave
to the extent such conditions are deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of adhering to
the conduct standards set forth in this policy. If the student refuses to meet with the Dean of
Student Wellness, he/she will complete the Involuntary Leave of Absence procedures with the
available information.
3. Individualized assessment. Any determination that a student’s conduct is inconsistent with the
standards set forth in this policy shall be based on an individualized assessment facilitated by the
Dean of Student Wellness. This assessment shall be based upon the best available objective
evidence, which may include available medical and/or mental health information.
4. Possible interim withdrawal. If the College concludes that a student presents an immediate
danger (a) to the life, health, welfare, safety, and/or property of any member of the College
community or other person, (b) demonstrates an inability to function safely in the College’s
courses, programs, activities, and/or facilities without an imminent or risk of harming himself or
herself or others, and/or c) demonstrates a risk of exhibiting concerning or troubling conduct
that is disruptive to the College’s courses, programs, activities, and/or facilities, the Dean of
Student Wellness may withdraw the student or restrict the student’s access to campus, College
course, programs, activities, or facilities for an interim period before a final determination is
made.
5. Considering an involuntary leave (or other involuntary action). If the review process outlined above
results in the student's decision not to take a voluntary leave or the Dean of Student Wellness
determines that no further investigation is necessary, the Dean of Student Wellness shall then
determine whether, under all of the individual circumstances of the case, the College wishes to
consider an Involuntary Leave of Absence from the College or from College courses, programs,
activities, and/or facilities (or other involuntary action).
6. Possible evaluation. The Dean of Student Wellness may require the student to schedule an
evaluation by a qualified, licensed medical and/or mental health professional within or outside
the College, with the student responsible for any costs of such evaluation and with the results of
that evaluation to be shared with the Director of the Counseling Center, Director of Student
Health Services and Dean of Student Wellness as well as the student. The Dean of Student
Wellness shall consider the results of this evaluation and other information collected in making a
final determination.
7. Final determination. In making a final determination, the Dean of Student Wellness will consider
any information obtained during the preliminary review, as well as any other information that
the student submits or that the Dean of Student Wellness deems relevant. The Dean of Student
Wellness may also consult with other College representatives and appropriate health care
providers on a confidential basis in making an individualized judgment based upon all of the
facts and circumstances.
8. Communicating the final decision. Any decision by the Dean of Student Wellness to require an
Involuntary Leave of Absence (or other involuntary action) shall be communicated to the
student in writing as soon as possible after the decision is rendered. The student has a right to be
informed of the effective date of the leave, pertinent information upon which the decision is
based, as well as the contemplated length of the leave, which will be determined on a case-by-
case basis. The conditions under which a student may return to or seek readmission at the
College will also be determined on a case-by-case basis and be specified in writing at or near the
time that the decision is issued. Students will also be informed of the institutional point of
contact during the Involuntary Leave of Absence.
9. Appeal. Students have the right to appeal the Dean of Student Wellness’s decision in an
involuntary leave situation. Any undergraduate student appeal should be made in writing to the
Vice President for Student Development within seven (7) calendar days of the student's receipt
of the written decision from the Dean of Student Wellness. Graduate student appeals should be
made in writing to the Provost within seven (7) calendar days of the student’s receipt of the
written decision from the Dean of Student Wellness. The grounds for appeal should be set forth
in writing. Appeals are limited to the following grounds:
a. A procedural [or substantive] error occurred that significantly impacted the outcome of
the hearing (e.g., substantiated bias, material deviation from established procedures,
etc.).
b. To consider new information that could substantially impact the final decision; the new
information and its potential impact must be included.
c. The final decision is substantially outside the parameters or guidelines set by the College
for this type of situation.
The student may submit supporting documentation or other information in support of the appeal. The
Vice President for Student Development/Provost will decide the appeal as soon as is practicable and will
issue a written decision regarding the appeal. The decision shall be final.
Leave of Absence Policy for Undergraduate & Graduate Students
The purpose of a voluntary Leave of Absence (LOA) is to provide students time away from Wheaton
College for treatment of a medical or mental health condition that impairs a student’s ability to function
successfully in class and complete coursework material and safely participate as a member of the
Wheaton College community.
The authority to grant an LOA and permission to return from an LOA resides with the office of the
Dean of Student Wellness. This policy applies to undergraduate and graduate students but does not
apply to doctoral students.
Wheaton College has designed this policy to ensure that students are given the individualized
consideration and support necessary to address their particular circumstances with the goal of helping
students safely return to participation in college life and successfully complete their studies. This policy
describes: 1) the process to request an LOA; 2) important information about a student’s status during
an LOA; and 3) the process to request reinstatement following an LOA.
LOA Approval Process
1. Recommendation
A student who is experiencing medical or mental health issues that are interfering with their academic
course work and/or their ability to participate in campus life may request an LOA. Undergraduate
students should first contact the Dean of Student Wellness (Dean); graduate students should first
contact the Director of Graduate Student Life. The student is required to obtain a letter from a medical
or mental health treatment provider stating that in his or her professional judgment, the student is
unable to manage the rigors of academic studies and participate in campus life as well as the provider’s
recommendation for treatment while on LOA. This letter will serve as a letter of recommendation for the
LOA. This letter of recommendation may be provided by Wheaton’s Student Health Services or
Counseling Center if currently treating the student.
2. Request
A student requesting an LOA must read the LOA policy and sign the acknowledgement page stating that
s/he has done so. The student must then complete the Request for Leave of Absence form and email
both the acknowledgement page and the request form to Student Wellness
([email protected]). The date the request form is received by Student Wellness will serve
as the Official Withdrawal Date (OWD) should the LOA be granted. Extreme extenuating
circumstances, such as a hospitalization, may alter what is considered a student’s OWD. The letter of
recommendation from the healthcare professional (with treatment recommendations) should also be
emailed or faxed (630-752-7226) to Student Wellness as soon as possible. Once this letter is received
the Dean’s office will set an appointment for the Dean to meet with the student to review the LOA
request and discuss strategies for returning to campus after the LOA. The Dean may include the
Director of Graduate Student Life when meeting with a graduate student.
3. Withdrawals and Incompletes
With an LOA, students are permitted to withdraw from any full-term course or any A-quad course that
has not been completed.
In certain circumstances, students may be eligible to request incompletes in their classes instead of
withdrawing. The decision about approving a request for incompletes will be determined based on the
students’ interest, faculty input, Student Development staff guidance, and the College requirements for
incompletes and withdrawals as outlined in the Course Catalog. Students will be required to follow the
Registrar’s Incomplete Grade policy guidelines for course completion.
An incomplete request may not be approved depending on the time of semester in which it has been
requested and the amount of coursework remaining for the student to complete. Students need to have
completed at least 75% of the coursework in a particular class to be considered eligible to request an
incomplete.
Students who have outstanding incompletes from previous semesters will not be permitted to request
new incompletes and will need to withdraw from all current courses when taking an LOA.
4. Timing of Request
For an LOA requests to be considered, students must complete and submit a Request for Leave of
Absence form no later than noon on Reading Day of the semester in which they are currently enrolled.
Students may not request an LOA during a Christmas or summer break. If students commence an LOA
beginning the last two weeks of a fall semester, the student will not be permitted to be reinstated until
the following fall semester given the spring semester reinstatement deadline.
5. Tuition, Room, and Board Fees
All tuition refund requests will be evaluated based on the Registrar’s Calendar, whether an A-quad
course was completed prior to the LOA request, and whether incompletes were requested. Students are
strongly encouraged to consult with their Financial Aid Advisor as to how taking an LOA may impact
their tuition/financial aid.
Room and board refunds will be based on the student’s last day in campus housing. The student should
consult with the Dean for questions about his/her specific last day in campus housing.
6. Determination
The Dean will then notify the student in writing of the determination regarding whether the LOA has
been granted.
Status During LOA
• Access to Campus. Students are not permitted to live on campus while on LOA. Access to
campus or any Wheaton College affiliated program will not be permitted unless approved by the
Dean of Student Wellness for such purposes as meetings and commitments related to their LOA
reinstatement request. Students are required to return their ID to their Residence Life staff or to
the Student Development office before leaving campus.
• Registration. All future class registrations will be canceled when an LOA is approved. While on
LOA, students may not register for Wheaton College classes unless the student has been
reinstated by the Dean.
Reinstatement after LOA
When a student is interested in returning to the College following an LOA, the student should take the
following steps to initiate the reinstatement process.
1. Reinstatement Request
The student should first inform the Dean of his or her interest in returning well in advance of the desired
return date. (See deadlines below.) The student must complete and submit to the Dean an LOA
Reinstatement Request Form, the Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan form(s) to be filled out
by the student and their medical or mental health treatment provider(s), and any additional information
requested by the Dean and communicated in the student’s LOA confirmation email. The information
provided by the medical or mental health treatment provider(s) will be incorporated into a care plan
with the student upon reinstatement.
Timing. The College requires that students submit their request for reinstatement and any supporting
materials by August 1 for consideration for a fall semester return, by December 1 for consideration for a
spring semester return, and by April 1 for consideration for a summer term return. If information is
missing and/or the College needs additional time to process the student’s request, the College may have
to treat the request as a request to return for the following semester rather than the semester for which
the student initially sought permission to return.
Status. All incompletes previously granted to a student must be completed for a reinstatement from
LOA to be considered. A student’s account must be paid in full for a reinstatement from LOA to be
considered.
2. Information Requested
If Student Health Services will serve as the student’s primary care physician for treatment of a medical
issue upon returning to campus, the student is required to provide Student Health Services with
pertinent medical records for continuity of care. Students returning from LOA will not be permitted to
utilize Student Health Services for psychiatric medication management (See item 8 below). If the
Counseling Center will be providing treatment to the student for a mental health issue upon returning to
campus, the student is required to provide the Counseling Center with pertinent records for continuity
of care. The student is also required to submit, to the Dean, any and all documentation received
following discharge from a residential program, inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization, or
intensive outpatient hospitalization, including the treatment discharge summary. Note: The Readiness to
Return and Continuation Plan form includes a release of information, which will allow the Dean and
Associate Dean of Student Wellness, Student Health Services, and/or the Counseling Center to discuss
concerns with the medical provider(s) about the student’s request for reinstatement.
3. Additional Information
The College will determine on a case-by-case basis if additional medical or mental health information is
required to assess a student’s readiness to return following the LOA.
4. Student Statement
Depending upon the nature and individual circumstances of the LOA, the student may be required to
provide a brief statement describing (a) the student’s experience away from the College including the
activities undertaken while away, (b) the student’s current understanding of the factors that led to the
need for the LOA, and the insights the student has gained from treatment and time away, and (c) how
the student plans to ensure a successful return to the College. The decision to require submission of
such a statement will be made by the Dean on an individualized basis.
5. Evaluation of Information
After the Dean evaluates the student’s information, the Dean may contact any medical providers that the
student has identified. The Dean may contact the student to discuss student readiness to return and
progress made while on LOA. During the process of reviewing an application, if the Dean determines
that information provided by the student’s treatment providers is incomplete, requires further
explanation or clarification, or when there is incongruity between the medical information provided by
the treatment providers and other information, the Dean will contact the treatment provider(s) to
obtain additional information or instruct the student to do so. In rare circumstances, the Dean may
request that the student undergo an additional assessment to allow the College to make a determination
about the student’s readiness for return. In those rare instances, the Dean will notify the student of the
rationale for making this request.
In the event that the student’s LOA was precipitated by an act of self-violence or violence against others,
the Dean may confer with the Director of the Counseling Center, the Associate Dean of Student
Wellness, the Director of Learning and Accessibility Services, the Director of Graduate Student Life, or
the Dean of Residence Life as a means by which to determine eligibility for reinstatement.
6. Determination
The Dean will evaluate the information provided by the medical or mental health treatment provider(s),
Student Health Services, the Counseling Center, and/or the student and make a determination whether
the student may return to the College. Reinstatement is based on the student’s readiness to manage a
full-time course load (minimum of 12 credits for undergraduates; minimum of 8 credits for graduate
students). The Dean’s office will notify the student of the determination, typically within seven days of
receiving all reinstatement request materials. Factors the Dean will typically consider include but are not
necessarily limited to:
• The student’s ability to comply with and complete the specific treatment recommended by a
mental health or medical professional at the time the LOA request was made. If individual
therapy and/or psychiatric medication management are recommended, the student will be
expected to comply with and complete at least eight therapy sessions, with a licensed therapist,
and at least an initial psychiatric evaluation with a psychiatrist, not a general practitioner.
• Evaluations and recommendations provided by the medical or mental health treatment
provider(s), Student Health Services and/or the Counseling Center including information on
the Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan form.
• The student’s demonstrated ability to engage in productive and realistic academic planning.
• The student’s ability to participate safely and independently in the College’s programs and
activities.
• The student’s personal statement included on the LOA Reinstatement Request Form.
• Any coursework completed or employment during the LOA; and
• Any other factors that the Dean, in his or her discretion, deems relevant under the student’s
particular circumstances.
7. Determination of Ineligibility for Reinstatement
If upon review, the medical or mental health treatment providers, Student Health Services, or the
Counseling Center submits a recommendation to the Dean’s office that a student is not ready for return,
the Dean of Student Wellness may deem the student ineligible for reinstatement to campus. If this
occurs, the student will be advised of this determination along with objective steps that will lead to
reinstatement eligibility the next time the student’s request is considered. A student may appeal a
determination of ineligibility for reinstatement to the College by submitting an appeal letter to the Vice
President for Student Development ([email protected]) within seven calendar days
of receiving notice of the negative recommendation. The student must also submit any information he
or she believes to be relevant to the appeal. The Vice President for Student Development will review the
student’s submission and notify the student in writing of the College’s final determination as to whether
the student will be permitted to return as requested.
8. Rescission of Reinstatement Approval
If the Dean of Student Wellness approves for a student to be reinstated based on the completion of
required tasks (e.g., securing an ROI or sharing provider appointment dates with Student Wellness) by a
specific deadline, before the start of a semester, the Dean of Student Wellness may rescind reinstatement
approval if the required tasks are not satisfactorily completed by the imposed deadline.
If this occurs, the student will be informed of the rescission, enrollment will be canceled, and the LOA
period will be extended for at least one additional semester. The student will also be advised of objective
steps that will lead to reinstatement eligibility.
Finally, the student will need to reapply for LOA reinstatement prior to the application deadline for the
intended returning semester.
A student may appeal a rescission of reinstatement approval by submitting an appeal letter to the Vice
President for Student Development ([email protected]) within three calendar days of
receiving notice of the decision to rescind LOA reinstatement approval. The student must also submit
any information he or she believes to be relevant to the appeal. The Vice President for Student
Development will review the student’s submission and notify the student in writing of the College’s final
determination.
9. Returning Students
Students who are reinstated from an LOA will be required to set up a meeting with the Associate Dean
of Student Wellness to create a care plan. This care plan is a requirement for enrollment, and meeting
with the Associate Dean of Student Wellness as often as she/he deems necessary throughout the school
year, is an essential requirement of the care plan process. Failure to initiate or follow through with the
care plan as it is written, may result in an Involuntary Leave of Absence for reasons of personal and
community safety.
Students who need psychiatric medication management upon returning must receive this service
directly from a psychiatrist and not a general practitioner. Failure to establish and maintain psychiatric
care from a psychiatrist, if medication is prescribed and/or recommended for treatment of a mental
disorder, may result in an Involuntary Leave of Absence for reasons of personal and community safety.
Students with disabilities, including mental health conditions, may be eligible for accommodations
and/or special services in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act as amended in 2008. Students requiring ADA accommodations are encouraged to
request those through LAS prior to the start or within the first two weeks of the semester. Further
information and the link to the accommodations request form are available on the Learning and
Accessibility Services website.
Upon reinstatement, the Dean’s office will notify appropriate campus offices of the student’s planned
return to campus and classes.
10. Returning Students and Study Abroad/Domestic Travel
Reinstatement following an LOA is a process whereby students can be restored to active student status
at Wheaton’s main campus. An approved reinstatement to Wheaton College following an LOA is not an
approval to participate in a study abroad or domestic travel program through Global Programs & Studies
(GPS). Students who wish to participate or have been planning to participate in a GPS study abroad or
domestic travel program, must receive an additional approval through GPS. They also must have their
medical or mental health treatment provider(s) complete an additional Readiness to Return for Study
Abroad or Domestic Travel form. Both LOA reinstatement approval from the Dean of Student Wellness
and approval from GPS are required for study abroad or domestic travel for students returning from
LOA. The GPS approval process will incorporate materials submitted for LOA reinstatement and
consists of an approval from Student Health Services (SHS) and final approval from Student Wellness.
It is possible for a student to be approved for reinstatement to Wheaton College and denied for
participation in a study abroad or domestic travel program.
I, _________________________________________________ (Print Name), hereby
acknowledge that I have read the above Leave of Absence Policy and understand the terms and conditions set
forth therein.
______________________________________________________________________
Student Signature Date Student ID#
Request for Leave of Absence (LOA)
Return form to Student Wellness (Student Services Building 218 or student.wellness@wheaton.edu)
Date: _____________________ Class: ___FR ___SO ___JR ___SR ___Grad
Name: __________________________________________ Student ID#: _____________
(first) (last)
International Student: ______Yes ______No (If yes, visa type: __________)
Last Date in Class: ______________ Date moved out of campus housing (Including belongings): ___________________
Current school address: _______________________________________________________________________
Address during leave of absence: _________________________________________________________________
Expected semester of return: ________________________ Phone # during leave: ________________________
Email during leave: _________________________________________
Required letter of recommendation from a medical or mental health treatment provider is attached?
_____Yes _____No If No, what is the date we can expect to receive it? _____________________
(please fax to 630-752-7226 or email to student.wellness@wheaton.edu)
Please indicate your academic standing/decisions:
• Completed A-quad classes (list: ______________________________________________________________)
• Withdrawing from classes (list: ______________________________________________________________)
• Requesting incompletes (list: ______________________________________________________________)
Have you consulted with your Financial Aid Advisor about how taking an LOA impacts your tuition/financial aid?
(We strongly recommend that you do!) _____Yes _____No
Do you currently (or anticipate upon your return) serve in a leadership position on campus? _____Yes _____No
Are you planning to participate in a study abroad or domestic travel program in the future? _____Yes _____No
Please keep the following Reinstatement deadlines in mind when considering your return to campus:
• Fall semester return – August 1
st
for non-priority class registration
• Spring semester return –December 1
st
for non-priority class registration
• Summer semester return – April 1
st
for non-priority class registration
_______________________________________________ ___________________________
Student’s signature Date
_______________________________________________ ___________________________
Form filed by (if other than student requesting LOA) Date
LOA Request - Office Use Only
Student Name: ______________________________ID# ___________ Class: FR SO JR SR GRAD
Last Date in Class: _________________ Last Date in Housing: ___________________
LOA effective date: ______________________ LOA effective Semester ____________________
Student’s academic decisions for current classes:
Completed A-quad classes (list: ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________)
Withdrawing from classes (list: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________)
Requesting incompletes (list: ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________)
LOA _____Approved _____Denied Student consulted with SFS about tuition/financial aid? _____Yes ____No
Notes/Requirements for reinstatement:
Comply with and complete a partial hospitalization program or an intensive outpatient program
Comply with all step-down care recommendations for continued treatment referenced in your discharge summary
Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan forms from each treatment provider met with post-program
Meet with Associate Dean of Student Wellness for a Care Plan within one week of returning
Register with Learning Accessibility Services within one week or returning
Other:
Code: 1 (Mental Health) 2 (Medical) 3 (Other)
__________________________________________________ ____________________
Dean of Student Wellness - Signature Date
Administrative use:
Date hold placed on Student Account (Banner/SOAHOLD) _________________
Date email sent to student _____________ Date LOA documentation uploaded to OnBase ______________
Leave of Absence (LOA) Reinstatement Request Form
Submit to the Dean of Student Wellness office (SSB 218 or student.wellness@wheaton.edu) by the following dates:
Fall semester – August 1 for non-priority class registration
Spring semester – December 1 for non-priority class registration
Summer semester – April 1 for non-priority class registration
Date: _____________________ Class: ___FR ___SO ___JR ___SR ___Grad
Name: __________________________________________ Student ID#: _____________
(first) (last)
International Student: ______Yes ______No (If yes, visa type: __________)
Phone #: _________________________ Desired return semester/year: Fall _____ Spring _____ Summer _____
Is your student account paid in full? _____Yes _____No (It must be paid in full in order to be reinstated.)
Have you been academically dismissed? _____Yes _____No (If yes, when? ____________________________)
Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan form attached indicating ability to handle full time academic schedule?
_____Yes _____No *
Additional Readiness to Return for Study Abroad or Domestic Travel form attached indicating ability to cope with the rigors of a study
abroad or domestic travel program, if applicable? _____Yes _____No*
*If no – please indicate the date we will have the medical documentation: _________________________
(please fax to 630-752-7226 or email to student.wellness@wheaton.edu)
Are all incompletes that may have been granted completed? _____Yes ______No
In the space below, please write a brief description of why you left Wheaton College and how you are now prepared to enter full-
time studies.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________ ___________________________
Student’s signature Date
Medical Entrance Requirement (undergraduate) – LINK
https://www.wheaton.edu/life-at-wheaton/student-development-offices/student-health/student-health-
services/student-medical-requirements/
LOA Reinstatement Request - Office Use Only
Student Name: ______________________________ID# ___________ Class: FR SO JR SR GRAD
Dean’s office has approved: _____Yes _____No
Re-Instatement approval date: ___________________ Returning semester: ___________________
Requirements for reinstatement:
Continue to receive weekly individual therapy from your current therapist.
Continue to receive psychotropic medication management with a psychiatrist
Meet with the Dean of Student Wellness within the first week of classes
Meet with the Associate Dean of Student Wellness with within first two weeks of classes
Sign a Release of Information for contact with your therapist
Sign a Release of Information for contact with your parents
Meet with the Director of Learning Accessibility Services within one week of returning
Other: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ____________________
Dean of Student Wellness - Signature Date
Rationale for reinstatement approval/denial: ________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Administrative Use:
Date LOA hold removed: ________________ Date department notification sent: ________________
Date email sent to student: ________________ Date documentation uploaded to OnBase: _______________
Post-Hospitalization for Mental Health Concerns Policy
According to research, the risk for self-harm is particularly high in the first few weeks following discharge
from the hospital for mental health concerns. Upon returning to campus, the student must receive a
post-hospitalization assessment at the Counseling Center. The student must also, separately, establish or
review a Student Wellness care plan with the Associate Dean of Student Wellness or their designee. The
purpose of the post-hospitalization assessment is to identify risk factors and protective factors, and to
ascertain appropriateness for reinstatement to classes and campus housing relative to the safety and
wellbeing of the student and the campus community. The purpose of the care plan is to partner with the
student for their overall wellness, provide an outline of supportive measures for follow-up care and
support, and discuss useful tools for having a successful and safe return to campus life.
Notification of Discharge
The student will sign a release of information permitting the hospital to notify the Associate Dean of
Student Wellness regarding a student’s discharge from treatment, medication, and follow-up care
requirements. The Student Wellness office should participate in the student family session to serve as
the Wheaton College Liaison to answer questions related to what the College is able to provide for the
student to safely return to the campus residential community.
Prior to Discharge
Before being discharged from the hospital, the student is required to schedule two appointments with
College staff and communicate those appointment dates/times to the Associate Dean of Student
Wellness: (1) An appointment with the Associate Dean of Student Wellness or their designee, and (2)
an appointment with the Director of the Counseling Center or his or her designee. The Associate Dean
of Student Wellness will notify the Director of the Counseling Center and the Dean of Student Wellness
of the student’s discharge day. Should a staff member (e.g., Residence Director, Graduate Resident
Advisor, or Resident Assistant) be notified by the student of his or her imminent discharge and request a
ride, the staff member should notify the Associate Dean of Student Wellness (x5941) prior to picking up
the student from the hospital.
Return to Campus
The student will check in with his or her Residence Director (RD) or Graduate Resident Advisor
(GRA) upon return to campus. The RD or GRA will help the student transition back to their residence
dynamics.
Meeting with the Counseling Center and Student Wellness
The meeting with the Director of the Counseling Center, or designee for a post-hospitalization
assessment, is a requirement and must take place as soon as possible, the same day the student returns to
campus. If a student is discharged from the hospital during the weekend, the student will be required to
go to the Counseling Center for a post-hospitalization assessment as soon as the Counseling Center
opens on Monday morning. Failure, refusal, or inability to complete a post-hospitalization assessment as
soon as possible, following discharge, may result in the student being required to take an Involuntary
Leave of Absence from Wheaton College. The meeting with the Associate Dean of Student Wellness, or
designee, is also a requirement and must take place after the student meets with the Director of the
Counseling Center, or designee, and within 48 hours of the student returning to campus. If the student
is discharged on the weekend, the meetings must take place the following Monday. Failure, refusal, or
inability to comply with the aforementioned expectations may result in the student being referred to the
Dean of Student Wellness. Subsequently, the Dean of Student Wellness may have grounds to invoke the
Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy.
Return to Classes
Once the student has met with the Director of the Counseling Center, or designee, and received
approval to return to classes, the student may return to classes the same day.
Parents
Students are encouraged to include their parents in the process of a hospitalization and return to the
College including any subsequent information surrounding their Student Wellness care plan. Once a
Release of Information form has been signed, the Associate Dean of Student Wellness will be able freely
share details regarding their student’s care plan and coordinated care.
Meeting Specifics
The meeting will cover:
• Wheaton College’s desire to support and care for the student;
• Establishing or revisiting a previous care plan to help the student successfully return to the
College and provide on-going support;
• Process for Withdrawal/Re-application (if needed);
• The return to campus impact; and
• Academic support options (if needed).
Care Plan
Examples of what may be included in the care plan are the following:
• A commitment to meeting regularly with a therapist/counselor;
• A commitment to remaining compliant with prescribed medications;
• A commitment to a meeting with the RD/GRA for support and help with navigating any
housing/roommate concerns;
• A commitment to have follow-up meetings with the Associate Dean of Student Wellness or their
designee;
• Signing of releases for the Counseling Center, Student Health Services, parents/guardians, and
any external agency involved in follow-up care;
• A statement indicating that the student understands that s/he must fulfill the stated
commitments to remain enrolled at Wheaton College;
• A recommendation of reduction of course load, if needed or required by treatment team;
• Requirement to meet with a nutritionist;
• Requirement to attend classes;
• Follow-up appointments with Student Health Services, Wheaton College Counseling Center,
and/or Learning and Accessibility Services;
• Follow-up appointments with a psychiatrist or outside agencies; and
• Any further requirements specified by the Counseling Center or Student Wellness.
Inability to Follow the Care Plan
Students are required to comply with expectations outlined in their care plan. Failure, refusal, or inability
to do so could result in the student being referred by the Associate Dean of Student Wellness to the
Dean of Student Wellness. Subsequently, the Dean of Student Wellness may have grounds to invoke the
Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy for reasons of personal or community safety.
Pregnancy Resources
The College is committed to supporting pregnant/expecting Wheaton students, including the mother,
and as appropriate, the father. Students can expect to be treated with Christian love, dignity, and respect.
The life and health of the mother and child as well as the spiritual well-being of the parents are primary
concerns. Every effort will be made to ensure confidentiality.
Should a Wheaton College student become pregnant, she is encouraged to seek confidential medical
care, encouragement and guidance from Student Health Services (SHS). The Director of SHS as well as
the SHS staff are also prepared to provide support and guidance to the father during the pregnancy.
College Resources
The Residence Life Office is available to help the student(s) determine the best housing option on or
off campus during and after pregnancy.
The Student Financial Services Office is available to explain how to submit a financial aid appeal for
additional federal and/or state assistance due to having a dependent other than a spouse.
The Learning & Accessibility Services Office is available to provide academic accommodations for
pregnant/expecting/post-partum students.
The Equity & Title IX Office can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure
that students who are pregnant may continue accessing College programs and activities.
For additional information about the services this office provides related to unlawful harassment and
discrimination, please visit their website at www.wheaton.edu/equityandtitleix.
The Counseling Center is available to provide confidential individual short-term counseling services to a
student for whom pregnancy/expecting is causing distress.
The Chaplain’s Office is available for confidential pastoral care support.
Student Care Services is available to undergraduate students who are becoming parents for help
connecting with resources on and off campus, establishing a support plan, including communicating
with professors on students’ behalf regarding potential extended classes absences, as well as referring
them to the Dean of Student Wellness if they are interested in applying for a Leave of Absence.
Off Campus Resources
Caring Network is available to reach out with love, non-judgmental counsel, and practical resources that
offer truth and empower women and men to choose life. Caring Network counseling and medical
services are free and confidential.
The team of professionals at Evangelical Child & Family Agency provide free, caring, and confidential
counseling for women and men experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, or who are simply in need of
extra support during their pregnancy.
Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan
Part I – Student Information (Completed by student)
Student Name: ID #:
Address: City/State/Zip Code:
Phone Number: Email:
Part II – Release of Information (Completed by student)
Authorization for Release of Information
I authorize release of verbal and written/electronic information to and from the medical or mental health professional listed
below to the Wheaton College Vice President for Student Development, Dean of Residence Life, Dean of Student Wellness,
Associate Dean of Student Wellness, Counseling Center, Learning and Accessibility Services, Student Health Services, and/or
Global Programs & Studies regarding (1) the summary of my treatment during my time away from campus, (2) the opinion of
the medical or mental health professional regarding my readiness to return to academic studies, (3) obstacles I may face upon
returning to academic study, and (4) any recommendations for continuation of treatment. I understand my Rights and
Responsibilities as stated below and authorize the medical or mental health professional named below to provide Protected
Health Information (e.g., Psychiatric/Mental Health or Developmental Disabilities; Substance Abuse/Alcohol Treatment;
HIV/AIDS Testing or Test Results; Genetic Testing and/or Genetic Counseling), in verbal and/or written form, to the
aforementioned Wheaton College offices and officials.
Rights and Responsibilities
Please review and then sign to authorize the disclosure of the information as indicated above.
I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time. Any such revocation will be valid, except for the release of
information that occurred prior to this authorization being revoked. I may inspect and/or copy the information sought to be
used or disclosed in this authorization as permitted by applicable law the federal privacy regulations. I understand that by
signing this form, I am confirming my authorization that the above-mentioned Wheaton College office(s) and its agents may
use and/or disclose my educational and treatment records and information described in this form to the person(s) and/or
agency(s) named in this form. I understand that I may request a copy of this authorization after signing below. This
authorization is voluntary, and I am under no obligation to sign this form. I understand that refusing to sign this form,
however, may negatively impact my ability to be enrolled at Wheaton College for reasons related to personal and community
safety. I understand that refusing to sign this form does not stop disclosure of information that is otherwise permitted by law
without my specific authorization, consent or permission. I understand that in order to revoke this authorization form, a
written request must be sent to the Wheaton College office where this authorization form was signed. I understand that
revocation of this authorization will not affect any disclosures or actions taken by Wheaton College before receiving the
written notice of revocation.
This authorization is good for 12 months from the date of signing. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any
time by contacting student.wellness@wheaton.edu. I understand that revocation of this authorization, however, may
negatively impact my ability to be enrolled at Wheaton College for reasons related to personal and community safety.
Student Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: __________________
Part III – Medical or Mental Health Professional Information
Clinic Name: Health Provider’s Name:
Email: Phone:
Please check your professional level:
□
MD - Psychiatrist
□
Licensed Therapist (LCPC, LCSW, LMFT)
□
MD - Primary Care /Internal Medicine
□
Other (specify):
□
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Part IV – Medical or Mental Health Services Information
Dates of Service:
(REQUIRED FIELD - please list all dates)
Total Hours of Service:
(REQUIRED FIELD)
Types of Service Provided (check applicable services provided)
□
Individual Therapy
□
Family Therapy
□
Psychiatric Service/ Assessment
□
Medical Evaluation/Physical
□
Medication Evaluation
□
Psychological Testing
Verification of Treatment Plan and Professional Judgment of Continuation of Studies (Check all that apply)
□
Patient has been complying with prescribed
treatment plan
□
Patient has not been complying with prescribed
treatment plan
□
In my professional judgment, patient is able to cope
with the rigors of college academic studies while in
compliance with his/her treatment plan
□
In my professional judgment, patient is not able to
continue with the rigors of academic studies at this
time
□
In my professional judgment, the patient has
reasonably arrived at a place where treatment is no
longer necessary to be able to continue with the
rigors of college academic studies
□
Other (please specify):
Part V – Continuation of Medical or Mental Health Services
(If a conversation is preferred or warranted, please contact 630-752-5941 to schedule appointment.)
Please provide comments regarding the following:
A) Has this student ever attempted suicide? Y/N When:
How:
B) How concerned are you that this student will struggle with suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors while studying at Wheaton?
(1) Not Concerned; (2) Somewhat Concerned; (3) Very Concerned; (4) Extremely Concerned
Why?
C) Obstacles student may face if student returns to school:
D) Recommendations for continuation of treatment (i.e., frequency of psychotropic medication management and
psychotherapy) upon reengaging academic studies and extracurricular activities and other stressful conditions:
E) Recommendations for continuation of treatment upon returning to a demanding social environment within a residential
campus community and any present concerns:
I certify by my signature that I provided the services listed herein.
Print Health Professional Name and Title:
Health Professional Signature: Date:
Readiness to Return for Study Abroad or Domestic Travel
Part I – Student Information (Completed by student)
Student Name: ID #:
Address: City/State/Zip Code:
Phone Number: Email:
Part II – Release of Information (Completed by student)
Authorization for Release of Information
I authorize release of verbal and written/electronic information to and from the medical or mental health professional listed
below to the Wheaton College Vice President for Student Development, Dean of Residence Life, Dean of Student Wellness,
Associate Dean of Student Wellness, Counseling Center, Learning and Accessibility Services, Student Health Services,
and/or Global Programs & Studies regarding (1) the summary of my treatment during my time away from campus, (2) the
opinion of the medical or mental health professional regarding my readiness to return to academic studies outside of
Wheaton’s campus, (3) obstacles I may face upon returning to academic study, and (4) any recommendations for
continuation of treatment. I understand my Rights and Responsibilities as stated below and authorize the medical or
mental health professional named below to provide Protected Health Information (e.g., Psychiatric/Mental Health or
Developmental Disabilities; Substance Abuse/Alcohol Treatment; HIV/AIDS Testing or Test Results; Genetic Testing
and/or Genetic Counseling), in verbal and/or written form, to the aforementioned Wheaton College offices and officials.
Rights and Responsibilities
Please review and then sign to authorize the disclosure of the information as indicated above.
I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time. Any such revocation will be valid, except for the release of
information that occurred prior to this authorization being revoked. I may inspect and/or copy the information sought to be
used or disclosed in this authorization as permitted by applicable law the federal privacy regulations. I understand that by
signing this form, I am confirming my authorization that the above-mentioned Wheaton College office(s) and its agents may
use and/or disclose my educational and treatment records and information described in this form to the person(s) and/or
agency(s) named in this form. I understand that I may request a copy of this authorization after signing below. This
authorization is voluntary, and I am under no obligation to sign this form. I understand that refusing to sign this form,
however, may negatively impact my ability to be enrolled at Wheaton College or participate in a study abroad or domestic
travel program for reasons related to personal and community safety. I understand that refusing to sign this form does not
stop disclosure of information that is otherwise permitted by law without my specific authorization, consent or permission. I
understand that in order to revoke this authorization form, a written request must be sent to the Wheaton College office
where this authorization form was signed. I understand that revocation of this authorization will not affect any disclosures or
actions taken by Wheaton College before receiving the written notice of revocation.
This authorization is good for 12 months from the date of signing. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any
time by contacting student.wellness@wheaton.edu. I understand that revocation of this authorization, however, may
negatively impact my ability to be enrolled at Wheaton College or participate in a study abroad or domestic travel program
for reasons related to personal and community safety.
Student Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ___________________
Part III – Medical or Mental Health Professional Information
Clinic Name: Health Provider’s Name:
Email: Phone:
Please check your professional level:
□
MD - Psychiatrist
□
Licensed Therapist (LCPC, LCSW, LMFT)
□
MD - Primary Care /Internal Medicine
□
Other (specify):
□
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Part IV – Medical or Mental Health Services Information
Dates of Service:
(REQUIRED FIELD - please list all dates)
Total Hours of Service:
(REQUIRED FIELD)
Types of Service Provided (check applicable services provided)
□
Individual Therapy
□
Family Therapy
□
Psychiatric Service/ Assessment
□
Medical Evaluation/Physical
□
Medication Evaluation
□
Psychological Testing
Verification of Treatment Plan and Professional Judgment of Continuation of Studies (Check all that apply)
□
Patient has been complying with prescribed
treatment plan
□
Patient has not been complying with prescribed
treatment plan
□
In my professional judgment, patient is able to cope
with the rigors of study abroad and domestic travel
while in compliance with his/her treatment plan
□
In my professional judgment, patient is not able to
cope with the rigors of study abroad and/or
domestic travel at this time and should not
participate
□
In my professional judgment, the patient has
reasonably arrived at a place where treatment is no
longer necessary to be able to cope with the rigors
of study abroad and/or domestic travel
□
In my professional judgement, patient is not able to
cope with the rigors of study abroad and/or
domestic travel at this time, but would be able to
cope with the rigors of returning to Wheaton’s
residential campus for academic studies with the
proper support
□
Other (please specify):
Part V – Continuation of Medical or Mental Health Services
(If a conversation is preferred or warranted, please contact 630-752-5941 to schedule appointment.)
Please provide comments regarding the following:
F) Has this student ever attempted suicide? Y/N
When:
How:
G) How concerned are you that this student will struggle with suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors while studying abroad
or traveling domestically?
(1) Not Concerned; (2) Somewhat Concerned; (3) Very Concerned; (4) Extremely Concerned
Why?
H) Obstacles student may face while engaging stressful conditions related to study abroad or domestic travel:
I) Recommendations for continuation of treatment (i.e., frequency of psychotropic medication management and
psychotherapy) while engaging studying abroad or traveling domestically:
J) Recommendations for continuation of treatment (i.e., frequency of psychotropic medication management and
psychotherapy) upon returning to campus and reengaging academic studies and extracurricular activities and other
stressful conditions, if student is not ready to study abroad or travel domestically:
I certify by my signature that I provided the services listed herein.
Print Health Professional Name and Title:
Health Professional Signature: Date:
Service and Assistance Animal Policy
Wheaton College is committed to providing equal access to its policies, practices, or procedures to
ensure that students with disabilities have the same access to College programs, activities, and services as
their nondisabled peers. The Learning and Accessibility Services (LAS) office works in collaboration
with Housing and Residence Life to review and approve Assistance Animals in Housing.
1. Definitions
Service Animals
Service Animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities.
Examples of such tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling
wheelchairs for those with limited mobility, and alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure.
Animals other than dogs or, in some cases, miniature horses, are not Service Animals. The work or task
that a Service Animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Assistance Animals
Assistance Animals are animals that provide emotional or other support that decreases one or more
identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Unlike Service Animals, Assistance Animals are
not required to be trained to perform work or tasks, nor do they always accompany a person with a
disability. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are a subset of Assistance Animals.
Pets
A “pet” is an animal kept for ordinary use or companionship. Service and Assistance Animals, as defined
above, are not considered pets. Pets are prohibited indoors and in university housing except for aquatic
species that live under water in standard size aquariums. For more information, please refer to
the Animals/Pets in Campus Housing Policy.
Approved Animal
An Approved Animal is an Assistance Animal that has been approved by LAS as a reasonable
accommodation under this policy.
Owner
An Owner is an individual with a disability who has requested an accommodation and has received
approval to bring the approved animal on College property.
Direct Threat
Anything that results in a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or in property damage to the
property of others, including property owned by the College. The determination of the existence of a
Direct Threat:
• Must be based on objective evidence and not fear, speculation, or stereotype; and
• Requires an individualized analysis that includes considering if a reasonable accommodation can
eliminate or significantly reduce the threat.
Example: A resident requests an Emotional Support Animal at a property where another tenant is
allergic to that animal. LAS and the ESA Review Committee must consider the following factors to
determine if a Direct Threat exists:
• How often the animal’s presence will trigger the allergies.
• The severity of the allergic reaction that the animal triggers; and
• if a Reasonable Accommodation (i.e., housing both residents on opposite sides of the unit,
placing the requestor at another unit, etc.) will eliminate or significantly reduce the likelihood
and severity of an allergic reaction.
2. Access to Campus for Service and Assistance Animals
In order for an individual to qualify for having a Service Animal on campus: 1) s/he must have a
disability as defined by the ADA, and 2) the accompanying animal must be trained to do work or specific
tasks for the qualified individual. Service Animals are permitted to accompany people with disabilities to
public areas of campus and owners are not required to provide certification that the animal has been
trained or licensed or make a formal request for an accommodation. Faculty or staff members with
questions may contact LAS at [email protected].
Service Animals are permitted to accompany individuals with disabilities in all public areas of campus
but may be prohibited in certain locations due to health and safety restrictions (e.g., where the animal
may be in danger, or where its use may compromise research). Restricted areas may include, but are not
limited to, custodial closets, boiler rooms, facility equipment rooms, research laboratories, classrooms
with research/demonstration animals, areas where protective clothing is necessary, wood and metal
shops, rooms with heavy machinery, and areas outlined in state law as being inaccessible to animals.
Service Animals may be granted access to restricted areas on a case-by-case basis by gaining approval
from LAS and the appropriate department representative. Service Animals do not need prior approval to
be on campus though it can be helpful for an owner to voluntarily share that information with the
College, especially for housing purposes.
In contrast, Assistance Animals are only permitted in and around the Owner’s campus housing as set
forth below.
3. Assistance Animals in Campus Housing
Before an Assistance Animal can move into campus housing with a person with a disability, a request
with supporting documentation, according to documentation guidelines to establish:
• That the individual qualifies as a person with a disability (i.e., has a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities); and
• That the Assistance Animal is necessary to afford the person with a disability an equal
opportunity to use and enjoy campus housing (i.e., that the animal would provide emotional
support or other assistance that would alleviate one or more symptoms or effects of the
disability).
Requests must be submitted to Wheaton’s LAS Office and approval must be granted by the ESA Review
Committee, which is comprised of LAS, Housing, and ResLife representatives. Requests should be made
at least 30 days prior to move-in whenever possible as late requests may impact the timeliness of the
approval process. As provided in the Animals/Pets in Campus Housing Policy, the fine for an
unauthorized animal in campus housing is $50 per day.
Special Rules for Assistance Animals
Assistance Animals are not allowed to accompany persons with disabilities in all public areas of Wheaton
campus as a Service Animal is allowed to do, but an Assistance Animal may reside in campus housing,
including accompanying such individual in all public or common areas of campus housing when it may
be necessary to afford the person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy campus
housing.
4. Service and Assistance Animal Approval Process
Students whose requests are approved will be asked to sign consent for a ResLife staff member to speak
directly with the roommates or students in neighboring rooms prior to bringing the Assistance Animal
into housing to determine if allergies, phobias, or other health concerns are present. No information
regarding the diagnosis or nature of the disability will be shared. If concerns are raised, a direct threat
analysis will be conducted.
If a student wishes to seek review of a determination made under this policy, please see the ADA
Grievance Procedure.
5. Care and Control
The Owner is responsible for the cost, care, and supervision of Service and Assistance Animals. Wheaton
College is not responsible for the care or supervision of Service or Assistance Animals. Roommates and
student neighbors are not responsible for the care or supervision of Service or Assistance Animals.
Owners who are accompanied by Assistance Animals must comply with the same College rules
regarding noise, safety, disruption, and cleanliness as people without disabilities.
The following guidelines for Service and Assistance Animals are intended to ensure that the animal does
not engage in behavior that would be disruptive or a direct threat to the health and safety of others. If the
animal’s behavior is disruptive, aggressive, or destructive, the handler will be held responsible and may
be asked to remove the animal from campus.
Guidelines for Service and Assistance Animals on Campus
• Animals must be always controlled by Owner.
o Animals who are in public spaces on campus must always be on a leash unless a leash would
negatively impact the ability of the animal to complete the task/service for which it is being
utilized.
o Animals in common areas of campus residences may be required to be on a leash, harness, or
in a carrier.
o Animals may not disrupt the environment by barking, meowing, scratching, screeching, or
growling.
o Assistance Animals must be housebroken before arriving on campus.
o Arrangements must be made to remove the animal from campus during breaks and any
other time when the Owner is off campus overnight.
o Evidence of inhumane treatment of the service/assistance animal by the Owner may lead to
the animal’s removal from campus.
• Animals must be in good health.
o Animals must be properly vaccinated; vaccinations must be current. Documentation of
vaccinations may be required.
o Animals must be maintained in a manner that takes into consideration the health and
hygiene of the animal and those who encounter the animal.
• To the greatest extent possible, the animal should be unobtrusive to other students and the
learning environment.
• Wheaton will not require any deposits, surcharges, or fees for Service or Assistance Animals.
However, an Owner may be charged for damage caused by a Service or Assistance Animal to the
same extent that Wheaton would normally charge a person for the damage they cause or if the
room requires additional cleaning beyond standard yearly institutional cleaning procedures.
Examples of reasons for additional cleaning may include but are not limited to residue of animal
waste on the floor, urine or animal smell in the apartment, and excessive fur/animal hair within
the apartment.
• The Owner is responsible for complying with the DuPage County/City of Wheaton dog control
and licensing laws or any other applicable laws pertaining to animal licensing, vaccination,
identification, or animal rights and owner responsibilities.
• Relief Guidelines
o Service and Assistance Animals must be housebroken before arriving on campus.
o The Owner is responsible for cleaning up all animal waste and disposing of that waste
immediately in outdoor dumpsters. Animal waste is not to be disposed of indoors.
6. Conflicting or Competing Accommodations
If another student, staff, or faculty member has a severe allergy around animal dander or a phobia to the
type of animal being approved, there will be a direct threat analysis conducted. The final determination
will be considered on a case-by-case basis and attempts will be made to accommodate the needs of both
individuals to the fullest extent possible.
7. Responsibilities of the Campus Community
• Must allow Service or Assistance Animals to accompany their Owners at all times and
everywhere on campus where the general public are allowed.
o As noted above, the appropriate way to ascertain that an animal is a Service Animal is to ask
(only if it is not apparent) if the animal is required because of a disability and what tasks it
has been trained to perform. Specific questions about the individual’s disability should not
be asked.
o Contact LAS if any questions or concerns arise relating to Service or Assistance Animals.
o Contact LAS Office if students/faculty/staff have any additional questions regarding visitors
to campus who have animals.
o Report any animals who misbehave or any Owners (or other individuals) who mistreat
Service or Assistance Animals to the Wheaton Public Safety at 630-752-5911 or 911 from
campus phones.
8. Appeal Process
If a student believes that a request for an ADA accommodation related to the use of a Service or
Assistance Animal on campus has been wrongfully denied, the individual can refer to the ADA
Grievance Procedure to appeal the decision.
Academic Grievance Procedure
The procedure outlined in this document shall be used to address an undergraduate student’s academic
grievance relating to classroom procedures, grade determination, interpersonal conflict, and/or a
department decision where there is no appeal procedure established.
The appeal procedures related to alleged violations of academic integrity (including the impact of such
alleged violations on a student’s grade) may be found in the Academic Integrity Policy. Information
about a grievance related to College-wide academic policies and procedures may be found in the
Academic Petition section of the College Catalog and requires that an Academic Petition be completed
so the grievance may be addressed. Policies and procedures related to discrimination, harassment, or
sexual misconduct may be found in the Nondiscrimination Policies; a report may be filed online. The
Bias Incident Policy details procedures regarding a bias incident; a report may be filed online.
Requests to use the Academic Grievance Procedure must be made at least three weeks prior to the end
of the term. Requests that are made later than three weeks prior to the end of the term may not be
considered until the start of the subsequent academic term.
A student who desires to use the Academic Grievance Procedure must meet with the Dean of Student
Wellness ([email protected]) to explore if the Academic Grievance Procedure is the most
appropriate pathway to address the situation. The Dean of Student Wellness will inform the student
about the grievance process and decide whether this is the appropriate process to address the student’s
concerns.
If it is determined this is the appropriate process, the Dean of Student Wellness will then introduce the
student to the Ombudsperson resources. Students are not authorized to enact the Academic Grievance
Procedure without the assistance of a faculty or staff Ombudsperson. The student with a grievance may
also request additional support from a student Ombudsperson.
Faculty and staff Ombudspersons serve as neutral parties to help the student compose a clearly written
account of her/his concerns for use in the Academic Grievance Procedure. Ombudspersons also are a
resource to help parties in conflict communicate with each other. Faculty ombudspersons are designated
on an annual basis by the Provost; staff ombudspersons are designated by the Vice President for Student
Development. The Ombudspersons will only discuss the grievance with those parties immediately
involved in the matter.
Should a student choose to address a conflict with a faculty member through the Academic Grievance
Procedures:
1. The Dean of Student Wellness will provide a copy of the Academic Grievance Procedure and
the student’s written account of her/his concerns to the relevant faculty member.
2. The faculty member shall review the student’s written account and meet with the student and
the Ombudsperson(s) in the spirit of the guidance found in Matthew 18:15-20 to seek to
understand the position of the student and the desired outcome.
3. The student is encouraged to ask follow-up questions to seek to understand the faculty
member’s decision.
4. Following the meeting, the faculty member is expected to communicate a written outcome
within a reasonable amount of time to the student and to the Dean of Student Wellness.
5. If after receiving the faculty member’s written response, the student does not experience
resolution, the student may notify the Dean of Student Wellness that they would like the
decision reviewed by the faculty member’s direct supervisor. This notification must take place
via email to student.wellness@wheaton.edu within three business days of receiving the faculty
members response.
6. The Dean of Student Wellness will follow the same procedural steps outlined above while being
guided by the notes below.
Notes
1. The supervisory hierarchy starts with a faculty member, who reports to a department chair, who
reports to an academic dean, who reports to the Provost.
2. All grievances will follow this supervisory hierarchy.
3. A student may have a grievance with a faculty member who is also a department chair or a dean.
4. The decision of the Provost will be final.
5. The Student Wellness office will provide administrative support to schedule all meetings.
6. If a faculty member has multiple direct reports and/or has multiple leadership roles, the Dean of
Student Wellness will confer with the Provost’s Office to determine the appropriate grievance
pathway.
The Academic Grievance Procedure outlines the distinct and shared responsibilities that Academic
Affairs and Student Development staff have in managing the grievance process. If future modifications
are made to these procedures, they should be developed collaboratively and with the assistance of the
Academic Policies Committee.
Non-Academic Grievance Procedure
The procedure outlined in this document shall be used to address an undergraduate student’s non-
academic grievance relating to interpersonal conflict, and/or a department decision where there is no
appeal procedure established.
Policies and procedures related to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct may be found in the
Nondiscrimination Policies; a report may be filed online. The Bias Incident Policy details procedures
regarding a bias incident; a report may be filed online.
Requests to use the Non-Academic Grievance Procedure must be made at least three weeks prior to the
end of the term. Requests that are made later than three weeks prior to the end of the term may not be
considered until the start of the subsequent academic term.
A student who desires to use the Non-Academic Grievance Procedure must meet with the Dean of
Student Wellness ([email protected]) to explore if the Non-Academic Grievance
Procedure is the most appropriate pathway to address the situation. The Dean of Student Wellness will
inform the student about the grievance process and decide whether this is the appropriate process to
address the student’s concerns.
If it is determined this is the appropriate process, the Dean of Student Wellness will then introduce the
student to the Ombudsperson resources. Students are not authorized to enact the Non-Academic
Grievance Procedure without the assistance of a faculty or staff Ombudsperson. The student with a
grievance may also request additional support from a student Ombudsperson.
Faculty and staff Ombudspersons serve as neutral parties to help the student compose a clearly written
account of her/his concerns for use in the Non-Academic Grievance Procedure. Ombudspersons also
are a resource to help parties in conflict communicate with each other. Faculty ombudspersons are
designated on an annual basis by the Provost; staff ombudspersons are designated by the Vice President
for Student Development. The Ombudspersons will only discuss the grievance with those parties
immediately involved in the matter.
Should a student choose to address a conflict with a staff member through the Non-Academic Grievance
Procedures:
1. The Dean of Student Wellness will provide a copy of the Non-Academic Grievance Procedure
and the student’s written account of her/his concerns to the relevant staff member.
2. The staff member shall review the student’s written account and meet with the student and the
Ombudsperson(s) in the spirit of the guidance found in Matthew 18:15-20, to seek to
understand the position of the student and the desired outcome.
3. The student is encouraged to ask follow-up questions to seek to understand the staff member’s
decision.
4. Following the meeting, the staff member is expected to communicate a written outcome within a
reasonable amount of time to the student and to the Dean of Student Wellness.
5. If after receiving the staff member’s written response, the student does not experience
resolution, the student may notify the Dean of Student Wellness that they would like the
decision reviewed by the staff member’s direct supervisor. This notification must take place via
email to student.wellness@wheaton.edu within three business days of receiving the staff
member’s response.
6. The Dean of Student Wellness will follow the same procedural steps outlined above while being
guided by the notes below.
Notes
1. The supervisory hierarchy starts with a staff member, who may report to a director, who may
report to a dean, who may report to a Vice-President or a Chief Officer.
2. A student may have a grievance with a staff member who is also a director or a dean.
3. All grievances will follow the relevant supervisory hierarchy; the Dean of Student Wellness will
determine the appropriate grievance pathway.
4. The decision of the Vice-President or the Chief Officer will be final.
5. The Student Wellness office will provide administrative support to schedule all meetings.
Student Wellness Appeal for Academically Dismissed Students
This policy is designed to provide for a flexible and individualized process to facilitate student appeals
for reinstatement following an academic dismissal when mental health concerns have been indicated.
Wheaton College has designed this policy to ensure that students are given the individualized
consideration and support necessary to address their circumstances. The goal of this policy is to help
students return to the College and successfully complete their studies.
Reinstatement after Academic Dismissal
If an academically dismissed student submits an appeal to be reinstated to the Registrar’s office, citing
mental health concerns, the appeal will be sent to the Academic Appeals subcommittee of the Academic
Policies Committee for review and, at their discretion, the Dean of Student Wellness will be contacted
for joint review and possible reinstatement. The student in this case has two semesters to submit
documentation to the Dean of Student Wellness for reinstatement. After these two semesters have
elapsed, the student is no longer eligible for reinstatement from academic dismissal and should instead
contact Admissions for re-enrollment.
The following requirements assume that the student has received mental health treatment following
their academic dismissal. If treatment has not been sought, the student is expected to seek a
recommendation for reinstatement from a licensed mental health professional and/or meet with the
Dean of Student Wellness for an individualized assessment, as part of the reinstatement process. Because
the academically dismissed student’s status with Wheaton College is “Inactive”, the student may not
request a recommendation for reinstatement from the Wheaton College Counseling Center unless
authorized by the Dean of Student Wellness.
1. Reinstatement Request
The student must complete and submit to the Dean a LOA Reinstatement Request Form and the
Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan form to be filled out by the student and the licensed mental
health treatment provider(s). The information provided by the licensed mental health provider will be
incorporated into a care plan with the student upon reinstatement.
The College requires that students submit their request for reinstatement and any supporting materials
by August 1 for a fall return and December 1 for a spring return. If information is missing and/or the
College needs additional time to process the student’s request, the College may have to delay
considering the request until the following semester.
2. Documentation
The student is also required to submit, to the Dean, all documentation received following discharge
from a residential program, inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient
hospitalization, including the treatment discharge summary.
Note: The Student Wellness Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan form includes a release of
information, which will allow the Dean of Student Wellness, Associate Dean of Student Wellness,
Student Health Services, and/or the Counseling Center to discuss concerns with the licensed treatment
provider(s) about the student’s request for reinstatement.
3. Additional Information
The College will determine on a case-by-case basis if additional mental health information is required to
assess a student’s readiness to return following an academic dismissal.
4. Student Statement
Depending upon the nature and individual circumstances of the academic dismissal, the student may be
required to provide a brief statement describing (a) their experience while away from the College
including the activities undertaken, (b) their current understanding of the factors that led to the
academic dismissal, and the insights they have gained from treatment and time away, and (c) their plans
to ensure a successful return to the College. The decision to require submission of such a statement will
be made by the Dean of Student Wellness on an individualized basis.
5. Evaluation of Information
After the Dean evaluates the student’s information, the Dean may contact any treatment providers that
the student has identified. The Dean may contact the student to discuss the student’s readiness to
return. During the process of reviewing an appeal, if the Dean determines that information provided by
the student’s treatment providers is incomplete, requires further explanation or clarification, or when
there is a disconnect between the information provided by the treatment providers and other
information, the Dean will contact the treatment provider(s) to obtain additional clarification. In rare
circumstances, the Dean may request that the student undergo an additional assessment to allow the
College to make a determination about the student’s readiness for return. In those rare instances, the
Dean will notify the student of the rationale for making this request.
6. Determination
The Dean will evaluate the information provided by the mental health treatment provider(s) and will
submit a recommendation to the Registrar’s Office, on or before August 8 for fall reinstatements or
December 8 for spring reinstatements, as to the student’s ability to manage the mental health concerns
that contributed to the academic dismissal, if reinstated to the College. Reinstatement is based on the
student’s readiness to manage a full-time course load (minimum of 12 credits for undergraduates or
minimum of 8 credits for graduate students). The Registrar’s office will notify the student of the final
decision. Factors the Dean will typically consider include but are not necessarily limited to:
• Evaluations and recommendations provided by the mental health provider(s) on the Readiness
to Return and Continuation Plan form;
• The student’s demonstrated ability to engage in productive and realistic academic planning;
• The student’s ability to participate safely and independently in the College’s programs and
activities;
• The student’s personal statement included on the LOA Reinstatement Request Form;
• Any coursework completed or employment during the academic dismissal period; and
• Any other factors that the Dean, in his or her discretion, deems relevant under the student’s
particular circumstances.
7. Records
If the Counseling Center will be providing counseling to the student upon returning to campus, the
student is required to provide the Counseling Center with pertinent records for continuity of care.
8. Returning Students
Students who are reinstated following an academic dismissal will be required to set up a meeting with
the Associate Dean of Student Wellness to create a care plan. This care plan is a requirement for
enrollment. Failure to initiate or follow through with the care plan as it is written, may result in an
Involuntary Leave of Absence for reasons of personal and community safety.
Students with disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodations and/or special services in
accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended in
2008. Students are responsible for communicating their requests for academic accommodations to the
College’s Learning and Accessibility Services office prior to returning to campus. Information about
requesting accommodations is available on the Learning and Accessibility Services website.
9. Reinstatement Denial
If the Registrar’s office denies reinstatement the student will be advised of recommendations that will
enhance the student toward a positive recommendation the next time the student’s request is
considered. A student may appeal a denial by submitting an appeal letter to the Vice President for
Student Development within 10 calendar days of receiving notice of the denial. The student may also
submit any information he or she believes to be relevant to the appeal. The Vice President for Student
Development will review the student’s submission and notify the student in writing of the College’s final
determination as to whether the student will be permitted to return as requested.
Note: This application and all of the aforementioned supporting materials must be submitted to the
Dean of Student Wellness at student.wellness@wheaton.edu on or before August 1 for a fall return and
December 1 for a spring return. Failure to meet either deadline will result in a denial for reinstatement.
I, _________________________________________________ (Print Name), hereby
acknowledge that I have read the above Student Wellness Appeal for Academically Dismissed Students Policy
and understand the terms and conditions set forth therein.
________________________________ _________________ _________________
Student Signature Date Student ID#
Student Wellness Appeal for Academically Dismissed Students
Reinstatement Request Form
Submit to the Dean of Student Wellness office (SSB #218) with accompanying documentation,
including the Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan form.
Date: _____________________ Class: ___FR ___SO ___JR ___SR ___Grad
Name: __________________________________________ Student ID#: _____________
(first) (last)
International Student: ______Yes ______No (If yes, visa type: __________)
Phone #: _________________________
Desired return semester/year: Fall _____ Spring _____ Summer _____
Readiness to Return and Continuation Plan form attached indicating ability to handle full time academic
schedule?
_____Yes _____No *
*If no – please indicate the date we will have the medical documentation: _________________________
(please fax to 630-752-7226 or email to student.wellness@wheaton.edu)
In the space below, please write a brief description of what led to your academic dismissal from Wheaton
College and how you are now prepared to reenter full-time studies.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________ ___________________________
Student’s signature Date
Student Appeal of Academically Dismissed - Office Use Only
Student Name: ______________________________ID# ___________ Class: FR SO JR SR Grad
Dean’s office recommended reinstatement: ____Yes ____No
Reinstatement recommendation date: ___________________ Returning semester: ___________________
Any additional requirements upon student’s return? ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ____________________
Dean of Student Wellness - Signature Date
Administrative Use:
Date LOA hold removed: ________________ Date Registrar notified: ________________
Date email sent to student: ________________ Date documentation uploaded to OnBase: _______________
Withdrawal or Cancel Enrollment Procedures
Withdrawal from Enrollment
Any undergraduate student finding it necessary to withdraw from the College while currently enrolled in
class must complete the Withdraw or Cancel Enrollment Form and meet with the Dean of Student
Wellness. The Student Wellness office oversees this process and can be reached at
student.wellness@wheaton.edu or 630-752-5941 or in person in the Student Services Building, Suite
#218.
Official withdrawal notification takes place when a student completes the Withdraw or Cancel
Enrollment Form notifying the College that she/he has either ceased to attend classes and does not plan
to resume academic attendance or believes, at the time of notification, she/he will cease to attend
classes. The Official Withdraw Date will be the date the student submits the Withdraw or Cancel
Enrollment Form. This date will determine any financial aid adjustments and/or possible tuition
reimbursement based on the Registrar’s Calendar. Room and board refunds are determined by Housing
Services for those students living on campus. Pertinent campus departments will be notified of a
student’s withdrawal based on submission of the Withdraw / Cancel Enrollment form.
Students withdrawing from all full-semester courses between the third and twelfth week of classes, or
from all A-Quad or B-Quad courses between the third and fifth week of the respective Quad, will have
"W" (withdrawal) recorded on their transcript for those courses. After the respective withdrawal
deadlines, students are not able to withdraw from the College and will receive the grade(s) earned at
the end of the term.
Withdrawal Exemptions
There are three exemptions for when a student has met the respective withdrawal deadlines, will receive
“W” (withdrawal) recorded on their transcript for those courses, but is not considered to have
withdrawn from the College and is reported as enrolled for the entire semester:
• A student who completes all the requirements for graduation from their program before
completing the semester (e.g., a student completes degree requirements during A-Quad).
• A student who successfully completes coursework equal to or greater than what is half-time
enrollment during a module (e.g., an UG student successfully completes 6 or more hours; a
graduate student successfully completes 4 or more hours during A-Quad).
• A student who successfully completes an A-Quad course, if A-Quad is at least 49% of the
period of enrollment (semester) as determined by the number of countable days.
The tuition refund policy does not apply for students qualifying for a withdrawal exemption. Financial
aid may be retained, except for Federal Pell Grants which must be recalculated based on the adjusted
enrollment status.
Administrative Withdrawal
These same guidelines apply to students who are administratively withdrawn or dismissed for
disciplinary reasons. Refund on tuition information can also be found in the College Catalog.
Unofficial Withdrawal
If a student stops attending or academically participating in all courses before the withdrawal deadline
for the term and subsequently fails all courses, the student may be unofficially withdrawn from the
College as of the last date of attendance or academic activity. If the withdrawal deadline has passed, the
student will receive the grades earned at the end of the term (likely failing grades).
In either case, the student may forfeit all fees or deposits paid to the College, and tuition refunds will not
be granted.
Cancellation of Enrollment
Official cancellation notification takes place when an undergraduate student completes the Withdraw or
Cancel Enrollment Form notifying the College of one of the following statements:
• I will complete the current term but will not be returning for the next term; or
• I have completed the most recent term but will not be returning for the next term; or
• I will not be returning for the current term (whether I’ve registered for classes or not and have
not attended any current term classes.
Students who cancel their enrollment from the College for reasons related to mental or physical health
concerns may be required to have a healthcare provider complete a Readiness to Return and
Continuation Plan before being reinstated to resume classes. Students may also be required to receive a
care plan through Student Wellness upon enrollment.
Compassionate Withdrawal
The withdrawal enrollment procedures recognize circumstances under which students are incapacitated
and unable to complete courses due to serious and unexpected physical or mental illness, accident,
grievous personal loss, or such circumstances beyond a student’s control. If a student cannot make
academic decisions due to incapacitation, the Dean of Student Wellness will withdraw the student from
all courses to keep the student from receiving failing grades.
Rescission of Official Withdrawal Notification
If a student provides official notification to the College of the intent to withdraw then changes his/her
mind, the student must 1.) provide a written statement to the Dean of Student Wellness regarding
his/her intent to remain in academic attendance through the end of the enrollment period and 2.) meet
with the Dean of Student Wellness. The Dean of Student Wellness, in collaboration with the Registrar
and the Director of Student Financial Services, will then decide whether to reinstate the student.
