The Office of Community Standards and Restorative Practices envisions a campus where challenges become opportunities for transformation. Guided by the values of G.R.A.C.E. (growth, restoration, accountability, community, and empowerment), we foster an environment where every student can flourish as a responsible and compassionate servant leader.
We commit to walking alongside students in their journey of personal, academic, and moral development within a Christ-centered context, helping them gain insight into their choices and emerge with stronger character. When harm occurs, we create pathways for restoration, rebuilding trust, dignity, and a sense of belonging through honest dialogue and reconciliation. We call students to true accountability, not as punishment, but as ownership, encouraging empathy, integrity, and the courage to make amends.
Rooted in the strength of community, we affirm the worth of every individual and work to preserve a culture of respect, inclusion, and shared responsibility. Through empowerment, we equip students with the tools to resolve conflicts, lead with integrity, and advocate for justice and grace beyond the university walls.
Together, we envision a restorative campus culture where accountability heals, community thrives, and every student is empowered to contribute to a more just and compassionate world.
These are the Pillars that our office:
Growth
The Office of Community Standards and Restorative Practices believes every student is on a journey of personal, academic, and moral development. We see disciplinary moments not as endpoints but as opportunities for growth. Through reflective practices, mentoring, and values-based conversations, our goal is to help students gain insight into their actions, develop emotional intelligence, and emerge with stronger character. Growth means assisting students to discover their potential and equipping them to become responsible, compassionate leaders in their communities.
Restoration
At the heart of restorative practices is the belief in healing and reconnection. When harm occurs in a community, our role is to restore relationships, trust, and shared values. We work to create a space where all voices can be heard: those harmed, those responsible, and those impacted, so that repair and reconciliation can begin. Restoration emphasizes the dignity of every individual and the possibility of returning to wholeness through honest dialogue, restitution, and mutual understanding.
Accountability
True accountability is not about punishment, but ownership. We foster an environment where students take responsibility for their choices and understand how their behavior affects others. Our approach encourages self-reflection, empathy, and making amends. By supporting students in making things right and learning from their experiences, we guide them toward becoming individuals who act with integrity, honor their commitments, and uphold the values of the university community.
Community
Community is the cornerstone of a healthy campus culture. Our office affirms that every student is a valued member of a shared academic and social environment. We aim to preserve and strengthen this community by cultivating mutual respect, inclusivity, and shared responsibility. When standards are violated, we work collaboratively to repair breaches in the social fabric and to restore the sense of belonging that all students deserve.
Empowerment
We are committed to empowering students to become agents of positive change in their own lives and in the lives of others. This means equipping them with tools for conflict resolution, ethical decision-making, and leadership rooted in service. Empowerment also involves giving students a voice and agency in the restorative process, encouraging them to contribute actively to solutions, and building their confidence to advocate for justice and grace in the world beyond campus.