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What Is the Student Code of Conduct?
The Student Code of Conduct (SCC) is not just a list of rules. It is a framework for helping you grow as a person, a student, and a member of the community. At Trinity Western University (TWU), we believe that discipline can be a form of discipleship. That means using moments of challenge to help you become more like Christ through reflection, accountability, and restoration.
The SCC is designed to support TWU’s vision:
“Every graduate is equipped to think truthfully, act justly, and live faithfully for the good of the world and the glory of God.”
Student Conduct Officers (SCOs) help students understand how this vision connects to everyday life in a community shaped by biblical principles. Through reconciliation, forgiveness, and accountability, the SCC becomes a tool for spiritual formation and personal development.
Why Does It Exist?
The SCC exists to
- Support your development by helping you learn from mistakes and make better choices
- Create a safe and respectful campus where everyone can thrive
- Encourage spiritual growth by using challenges as opportunities to deepen your faith
- Provide care and support when you feel you have been harmed or violated by someone else's actions
- Build a gospel-centered community where grace, truth, and justice are lived out together
A gospel-centered community matters because it reflects the heart of Christ. It is a place where people are known, valued, and held accountable in love. It is a place where healing and reconciliation are possible, and where students are invited to grow in both character and calling.
The SCC promotes a respectful community based on Christian values, believing this environment optimizes learning and helps TWU fulfill its mission. While not all students may personally affirm TWU’s theological views, all are expected to respect evangelical Christian beliefs and practices, including the authority of the Bible as God’s revelation.
What Makes TWU’s Approach Unique?
TWU’s philosophy is rooted in Christian values and student development theory. That means
- You are seen as someone made in the image of God, deserving dignity and care
- Staff are trained to listen, pray with you, and guide you rather than just enforce rules
- You are invited to take ownership of your actions and choose how to make things right
- We look beyond the presenting issue to understand what is really going on and how we can help you thrive
- We seek to restore relationships, reconcile brokenness, and provide justice in ways that reflect God’s heart
TWU integrates developmental frameworks such as Chickering’s Identity Development, Baxter Magolda’s Self-Authorship, and Kohlberg’s Moral Development to help staff assess where students are in their journey and tailor support accordingly.
What Is the Goal?
The goal of the student conduct process is to contribute to both your personal development and spiritual growth. The objectives include
Student Life Objectives
- To prayerfully and objectively assess what has occurred and indicate what violation(s) may have been committed
- To demonstrate care and acceptance for you even if your behavior was not acceptable
- To educate you about the reasons for the SCC and TWU’s policies and guidelines
- To protect other students and the University community from conduct that is harmful to our values or learning environment
- To balance your individual needs with the needs of the greater community
Objectives for You as a Student
- To help you decide that your future behavior will align with the SCC and University policies
- To encourage you to accept accountability for your actions
- To support you in working toward restoration and reintegration into the community through meaningful sanctions
These goals are not about punishment. They are about helping you grow in character, strengthen relationships, understand your impact on others, and reconnect with your faith.
Scope and Jurisdiction
The SCC applies to all students enrolled in TWU courses, including online courses. It also applies while on TWU’s campus and extension sites, and in the context of
- University-sponsored programs or activities (travel studies, athletic events, field trips, student leader events)
- Representing TWU or any TWU club or organization off campus
- Representing TWU or any TWU club or organization in online settings (such as Zoom discipleship groups)
- Relationships with third parties that involve your status as a TWU student (such as internships or practicum placements)
- Acting as a representative of TWU for any reason
This broad scope ensures that TWU’s values and expectations are upheld wherever students are learning, serving, or representing the University.
Living it Out
At TWU, the Student Code of Conduct is about restoration, not retribution. It is a chance to grow, heal, and become the person God is calling you to be.
We believe that every student has a story worth hearing and a future worth investing in. Whether you are facing a challenge, navigating a conflict, or simply trying to understand the process, know that you are not alone. The Office of Student Conduct is here to walk with you, pray with you, and support you.
This process is not about perfection. It is about progress. It is about learning to live in community with grace and truth. It is about becoming more like Jesus in how we treat others and how we respond when things go wrong.
The SCC is a reflection of TWU’s commitment to truth, justice, and faithful living. It is a tool for building a campus culture where students are known, loved, and challenged to grow. If you ever have questions or concerns, reach out. We are here to help you flourish.