B(log)SOP

GUIDANCE, COUNSELING AND DISCIPLINE BY THE FACULTY COUNCIL

A. As believers in Christ, we are to live with honesty and integrity in this world. These standards apply to all aspects of life. Students are expected to abide by these standards in academic performance and conduct. Failure to do so results in disciplinary action.

B. The BSOP faculty and students encourage and help one another in our spiritual walk. Students struggling with any particular issue are encouraged to discuss problems with a faculty of the Care & Share Group, any faculty, Seminary Chaplain, Dean of Women so that help and guidance may be given at the proper time. The Faculty Council reserves the responsibility to provide guidance, counseling and redemptive discipline.

C. The following five-step procedure is used when giving counseling, guidance and dealing with discipline of (1) offense. The ultimate purpose is to provide help and guidance to one another so that we learn to conform to the image of our Lord and Master Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

1. Reprimand - an admonition and official warning.

2. Restriction - loss of such privileges as may be consistent with the offense committed and rehabilitation of the student in a quarter.

3. Disciplinary Probation - placing the student on a probationary status within a quarter (or a 12-week period since implementation of Step 3; or extending to the following quarter if Step 3 begins in the middle of a quarter). The probationary period takes away the privilege of holding any student office, and also includes social restrictions. Probationary status means the student is not considered an official student of BSOP.

4. Suspension - dismissal from the seminary for a specific period or indefinite period of time as jointly decided by the Special Faculty Committee or/and Faculty Council.
5. Expulsion - Permanent dismissal from the seminary results when signs of unrepentant of a major offense are demonstrated and failure to accept one’s violation of a major offense after Steps 1-3 are done.

Step (1) Offenses:

· Hiding books of the BSOP library

· Cheating in exams

· Entry to women’s/men’s dormitory without permission from the Seminary Chaplain or Dean of Women

· Insubordination to persons in authority

· Willful violation of dormitory rules and guidelines

· Irresponsible to one’s assigned task in the Food Committee & other assigned tasks

· Absent from class and other BSOP official activities without permission

· Habitual tardiness

· Abuse and misuse of BSOP facilities such as the dormitory rooms, kitchenette, laundry area and other areas accessible to BSOP Family members

· Use of foul and bad language, dirty jokes, unnecessary and inappropriate comments, gossips (false rumors and unverified facts, accusations) and slander (maligns the integrity of a person)

· Prejudices against a particular person of other gender, race, religion and nationality

· Acts, speech or writing which jeopardizes the office of a pastor, the name of the seminary or the Kingdom of God.

However, the BSOP Faculty Council consider the following offenses as very serious that require immediate action on the student’s official status in BSOP.

Step (2) Offense:
· Plagiarism, (See pages 19 to 23)

Step (3) Offenses

· Public statement of beliefs and doctrines inconsistent with the Statement of Faith of BSOP.

· Possession or falsification of legal and other documents (fake passports and visas, BSOP Student Identification Cards, transcripts and diplomas or certificates, recommendation forms, letters and the like.

· Stealing properties of BSOP and properties of BSOP family members.

· Physical abuse of spouse or other persons.

Step (4) Offenses:

· Commission of a felony under Philippine laws.

· Sexual immorality and promiscuity such as homosexuality, fornication, and incest.

· Divorce

· Gambling

· Illegal possession and use of firearms inside BSOP Campus, possession and use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco and pornographic materials.

The number beside an offense indicates the step (see above 5-Step Procedure) to be taken at the first offense.

Five violations of a (1) offense is equivalent to Step (3). Three Step (3) offenses will lead to Step (4). Other offenses not listed above will be dealt with accordingly. The cumulative principle is applied when dealing with offenses of a student throughout his/her studies in BSOP.
In actual implementation, a “Guidance Form” (see Appendix I) in the form of a letter will be sent to the student concerned, signed by the members of the Special Faculty Committee. Upon receipt of the letter, the student shall also sign the letter signifying understanding and compliance with the discipline procedure. A photocopy of the signed letter will be given to the student and the faculty who signed the letter. The original copy will be kept inside the Students’ File to ensure proper documentation and record of the progress of the whole guidance redemptive process. Refusal to sign the said letter means “deliberate non-compliance” of discipline procedures and hence will automatically result to suspension.
At the start of a new academic year, every new & returning student will be given a copy of BSOP Student Handbook during orientation, or during registration of the second, third or summer quarter. Each student will be asked to read and sign a handout signifying comprehension and willingness to abide by the guidelines stated in the BSOP Student Handbook.