At ACU, we live in a community. Each person’s actions have an effect on the other members of the community. Policies and our Code of Conduct are intended to help provide guidelines and expectations that promote a Christ-centered, thriving community. Life at ACU fosters this environment with standards reflecting biblical principles of daily living such as honesty, purity, and honoring one another.
Following are brief summaries regarding a few of our policies, with links to additional information:
1. Academic Integrity
ACU is a community of learners that supports the quest for knowledge and truth through intellectual and personal integrity, honesty in learning, instruction, research and service. Violations of academic integrity and other forms of cheating involve the intention to deceive, mislead or misrepresent.
2. Alcohol
Alcohol is not allowed on the ACU campus, or at university functions on or off campus. Students of legal age are allowed to consume alcohol in off-campus, non-university venues, and are expected to take into consideration safety, setting, neighbors, etc. The ACU community cares deeply about the health and safety of our students, and is committed to educating students about the physical and spiritual dangers of alcohol abuse.
3. Anti-Harassment
ACU is committed to ensuring a working and learning environment in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Discriminatory and sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, assault, stalking, relationship violence, as well as causing physical or emotional harm to another person will not be tolerated. Emotional harm includes but is not limited to, intimidation, stalking, cyber-bullying, and/or threats by text messaging or other electronic media.
4. Dress Code
All members of our community are responsible for the way they present themselves. Through the way they dress, students are encouraged to reflect their God-given worth and professional aspirations.
5. Drug Use
ACU has a “zero-tolerance” policy related to the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs and controlled substances.
6. Electric Scooters and Micromobility Devices
Do I need to register my scooter with the university?
Yes. If you regularly bring a micromobility device onto campus, you must register it through the university and display the university-issued tag or decal. At the beginning of each academic year, the university will provide a registration period and communicate registration deadlines. After the grace period, unregistered devices may be subject to citations and other enforcement under this policy.
Where can I ride my scooter?
You may ride only in Approved Outdoor Riding Areas, including campus roadways and outdoor pathways designated by the university for mixed pedestrian, bicycle, and micromobility use. Riding is not permitted inside buildings, residence halls, classrooms, offices, lobbies, corridors, stairwells, or high-traffic pedestrian zones.
Can I park, store, or charge my scooter inside a university building, including residence halls?
No. For fire safety reasons, parking, storing, or charging a scooter inside any university building is prohibited. This includes residence halls, individual rooms, hallways, stairwells, lobbies, classrooms, offices, and other interior spaces. Scooters may only be parked in designated outdoor racks or parking areas, and charging is permitted only in University-designated outdoor charging locations or off campus.
What happens if I park my scooter inside a building or fail to register it?
Parking, storing, or charging a scooter inside a university building is a violation of this policy. University employees may relocate improperly parked scooters to a safe outdoor location, and violations may result in warnings, citations, fines, or loss of campus riding or parking privileges. After the registration grace period, unregistered scooters may also be subject to enforcement.
Am I required to wear a helmet?
While the policy strongly encourages the use of a helmet, lights, and reflectors while riding, these items are not required by the policy. Riders are responsible for operating the device safely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s owner’s manual.
Does the university assume liability if my scooter is stolen or damaged on campus?
No. You are responsible for your device. The university does not assume liability for theft, loss, or damage to your scooter.
What if I have a mobility-aid scooter for a disability?
Devices used as mobility aids for individuals with disabilities are exempt from this policy and should be coordinated through Disability Services or the equivalent office.
How will the policy be enforced?
ACU Police Department (ACUPD), Student Life, and Residence Life staff will enforce the policy. You may receive a warning, fine, confiscation, or loss of parking/riding privileges. Repeated or serious violations may lead to formal disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct or equivalent employee policy.
7. Hazing
ACU will not tolerate hazing as defined by Texas law. Moreover, ACU strongly discourages any action which degrades, intimidates, humiliates, or endangers any individual.
8. Residence Life
In order to promote community, all first and second-year students are required to live in gender-specific on-campus residence halls. Third-year, fourth-year and graduate students have the opportunity to live in on-campus apartments or off-campus. The Residence Life Handbook provides information concerning accommodations, approved items, curfew policies, etc.
9. Sexual Stewardship
ACU strives to be a community that follows Jesus’ example in all things, including our understandings about the authority of Scripture, sexuality, relationships and our core identity as children of God. Therefore, our foundation for a sexual ethic is a call to chastity outside of marriage between a man and a woman. Throughout Scripture and in the life of Jesus, we see a commitment to honor God with our bodies through relational and sexual stewardship as well as pastoral love and compassion for those who do not live according to those beliefs. Use the link in order to access the entire policy.
10. Spiritual Formation requirement
One of the most significant ways in which a student develops at ACU is spiritually. Our vision for spiritual formation includes practicing the spiritual disciplines, service to others and experiencing community. Chapel is an important part of living life as community. For more information about Chapel, attendance policies, exemptions and more, this link.
11. Tobacco/Electronic Cigarettes/Vaporizers
Use of all tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco) and electronic cigarettes / vaporizers is strictly prohibited on the ACU campus and other university property and at all university-sponsored activities, including sporting events.
12. Weapons on campus
ACU prohibits the possession of any illegal knives and other dangerous weapons, as well as firearms, either open carry or concealed carry. This includes any replica or facsimile weapon designed, intended, or displayed to appear like a functional firearm or weapon. Students who are Texas Handgun Licensees, are allowed by Texas Law and ACU policy to store their licensed and legal handguns inside their LOCKED vehicle parked on any ACU owned or controlled parking facility.
Check out the Dean of Students site for the Student Code of Conduct and other policies.