Community Life Expectations
Community Life Expectations
The foundation of our community is the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31): “Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. . . Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (NIV). In a perfect community, we would all live by the Spirit—”the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)—and we wouldn’t need any further guidelines; however, no perfect community exists. In Galatians 5, Paul urges Christians to walk by the Spirit so as not to carry out the desires of flesh. “Deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19- 21). Therefore, to foster a healthy, vibrant community environment, which encourages loving the Lord and loving others, Trinity has established Community Life Expectations for all students (full and part-time, residents and commuters).
Practices that are specifically forbidden in Scripture, such as dishonesty, theft, gambling, premarital sex, abortion, adultery, homosexual behavior, use of pornography, drunkenness, profanity, gossip, racism, and infringement on the rights of others, will not be condoned.
Scripture explicitly teaches respect for governmental authority. Students are therefore expected to uphold the laws of the local community, the state, and the nation except on those occasions where obedience to civil authority would require behavior directly in conflict with other scriptural principles.
In a Christian academic community, academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, and misappropriation of library materials, is regarded as a serious violation.
Students will be required to refrain from the possession or use of harmful substances such as non-prescribed stimulants and depressants, hallucinogenic, and illegal drugs.
Students violating any of the Community Life Expectations, listed in the Student Handbook (available online at MyTIU Campus Life > Student Handbooks), or any other university policies, will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Handbook.
In order to facilitate orderly community life, students are expected to abide by other procedural rules and regulations as announced.
The following list, though not exhaustive, defines some of the activities found in our Student Handbook that are not permitted for Trinity students.
Drug-Free Campus
Trinity International University is a drug-free campus. Possession, purchase, distribution or consumption of any illegal drug is not permitted. While recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois, it is NOT legal on Trinity's campus. Students suspected of the above will be asked to undergo drug testing. Any student refusing to submit to these tests will be held in violation of our expectations. Any student who is involved in the purchase, possession, consumption or distribution of illegal drugs or marijuana is subject to immediate dismissal from Trinity. Trinity reserves the right to report instances of illicit drug use and alcohol possession or use to the proper authorities.
Alcohol-Free and Tobacco-Free Campus
Trinity International University is also an alcohol-free and tobacco-free campus. Students, regardless of age, are not permitted, under any circumstances, to purchase, possess, consume, or distribute alcoholic beverages or tobacco products of any kind on campus. Nonalcoholic beer and other drinks containing a percentage of alcohol are also prohibited. Individuals may be subject to having their breath smelled and/or tested by a Breathalyzer exam given by a staff member. Trinity reserves the right to report instances of illicit drug use and alcohol possession or use to the proper authorities.
Discrimination and Harassment-Free Campus
To foster and maintain a healthy Christian community, we must depend on one another to preserve the unity of the Spirit. Being a member of the Trinity Community offers unique privileges, but it also requires unique responsibilities.
Trinity values a community environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. Therefore, discrimination and harassment of any type toward any individual (including domestic relationships) will not be tolerated by the institution. This includes any form of verbal, physical, written (including electronic transmissions) abuse, threats, or stalking. This also may include a persistent pattern of behavior directed at another individual that distresses, frightens, or is in some manner inappropriate or threatening. Examples of this include but are not limited to hate speech, abuse because of one’s race, gender (sexual harassment, including unwanted advances), nationality, or disability. In the event of threats or the potential of stalking, TIU reserves the right to contact law enforcement agencies. A formal complaint procedure has been established to respond to allegations of discrimination and harassment and is available to all students through the Dean's office. Those found in violation will be subjected to disciplinary action. For further information on Community Life Expectations, please see the Student Handbook.