Southern Methodist College is a Christian community devoted to academic study and spiritual nurture. Recognizing our dependence upon God and in acceptance of the absolutes of His Word, we expect that all members of the College family will abide by the following code of conduct.
BIBLICAL ABSOLUTES
The Bible frequently repeats the command, “Be ye holy for I am Holy” (Leviticus 20:7; I Peter 1:15,16). Thus Southern Methodist College believes that there are direct commands and requirements that God has established based upon His own character and that He has revealed these in His inerrant authoritative Word, the Bible. These universal absolutes are non-negotiable, timeless, unchanging and applicable to all cultures. They prescribe Christ-like behavior such as love for God (Deuteronomy 6:5), love for one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), love for the brethren (John 13:34), submitting to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6:16-17; Matthew 4:4) and to those in authority (Romans 13:1-7), and having self-control (Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12-17). They also forbid practices such as murder (Exodus 20:13), stealing (Exodus 20:14), dishonesty (Colossians 3:9), taking bribes or kickbacks (Exodus 23:8), profanity (Ephesians 5:4), drunkenness (Galatians 5:21), occult involvement (Deuteronomy 18:9-13), gossip (2 Corinthians 12:20), adultery (Exodus 20:14), sex outside of marriage (Ephesians 5:3), homosexuality (Romans 1:27), rebelliousness (1 Samuel 15:23), and revenge (Leviticus 19:18). All members of the College family must let these absolutes govern their lives at all times and in every place.
PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
In Romans 12: 1,2, the Scripture summarizes the standard for Christian lifestyle. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (NKJV). Southern Methodist College desires that each member of the College family make it a matter of personal commitment to live a life pleasing to the Lord.
The Christian lifestyle is a matter of making day by day choices to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Involvement in or preparation for Christian work requires a personal commitment to “be an example to the believer in word, in conduct, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Timothy 4:12, NKJV). Believers should refrain from using tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, using illegal drugs, abusing prescription drugs, and from gambling. The College family lives in an imperfect world where many practices, while not forbidden by Biblical absolutes, may be detrimental to spiritual growth and academic endeavor. Therefore, every student and employee must recognize his solemn obligation to uphold his personal Christian testimony and the testimony of the College (I Corinthians 10: 23-24).
The philosophy of Southern Methodist College is based upon the traditional teachings of Methodism, and the College strives to model this philosophy into the lives of students and employees. As a Methodist institution, Southern Methodist College models the three General Rules of Methodist societies which are: do no harm avoiding evil of every kind, do good of every possible sort to all men, and attend upon the ordinances of God (The Southern Methodist Discipline, 2002, paragraphs 117-119). Since Methodism has traditionally regulated all phases of the lives of its followers to the Christian ideal, and since education is preparation for life, the College, holding to these ideals, states reasonable regulations for its students and employees in order to establish an environment that encourages them to conform them to the image of Christ.
AFFIRMATION OF STANDARDS
All board members, employees, and students must give full support in writing to the moral and ethical rules of the institution as stated in the Code of Conduct. Students must give written affirmation on the registration form at the beginning of each semester.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Southern Methodist College will take corrective action when an individual is found in violation of the moral and ethical standards of the institution. Corrective action involving students may include counsel, suspension, or expulsion.
PLEDGE STATEMENT
I understand that Southern Methodist College is a Christian community devoted to academic study and spiritual nurture and that I am a part of the community. As a member of this Christian community, I represent the Lord Jesus Christ and Southern Methodist College; therefore, I pledge myself to the following commitments:
- To submit to the authority of the Scriptures in matters of faith and conduct and to the control of the Holy Spirit in my life.
- To abide by the Code of Conduct both in letter and in spirit. The Code of Conduct is to guide my behavior at all times and in every place.
- To abide by the policies and procedures within the (Student Handbook, Faculty Handbook, Staff Handbook, Board Handbook). While I may not appreciate or understand every policy or regulation of Southern Methodist College, I will honorably adhere to them and respectfully cooperate with those who are in authority.
- To strive for excellence in all that I do.
- To refrain from behavior that may cause another person to sin or stumble.
I understand that failure to cooperate in maintaining the Code of Conduct or this pledge will lead to counsel, appropriate disciplinary action, and possible dismissal.