Denver Seminary

2024-2025 Student Handbook 51 Non-Academic Policies and Services Confidentiality and Institutional Responsibility Denver Seminary upholds all federal, state and local laws and desires to employ sound practices regarding managing student behavior and communicating students' rights. Students should be aware that Faculty and Staff have an institutional responsibility and at times a legal obligation to report issues of concerning behavior to Seminary officials and/or the authorities. Therefore, students should not assume and can never be assured of confidentiality, even when they discuss personal matters with faculty or staff. Christian Civility, Human Dignity, and Mutual Respect Denver Seminary believes treating one another with mutual respect and care lies at the heart of Christian community and is committed to providing and maintaining a learning and working environment for all students, staff and faculty members characterized by the Biblical concept of koinonia. Koinonia refers to the quality or character of one's association, communion, or fellowship with others in which truth and wisdom are valued. Equally important is a sense of Christian civility. The Seminary outlines behaviors and dispositions believed to produce koinonia in the Community Values and Behavioral Commitments and the Fitness for Ministry and Professional Disposition portions of this Handbook. Examples of behaviors that may constitute a violation of the Seminary's conduct expectations, or that would raise concerns, include, but are not limited to: abusive comments or behavior, bullying, coercive and controlling behavior, demeaning or degrading comments, humiliation, intimidation, verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, stalking, and threats, or any other behaviors that are deemed contrary to the Community Values and Behavioral Commitments. Concerns about student behavior, or questions that students have about the Seminary's behavioral expectations, may be directed to the Dean of Students. When concerns arise, the Seminary will determine which of the following processes will be utilized to resolve the matter. Student Grievance Procedures At any given time, any member of the Denver Seminary community, as well as external constituents such as family members, pastors, supervisors, etc., may submit a report of concern or grievance to the Dean of Students, who may then be assisted by other administrators to determine the appropriate response on behalf of the Seminary. Some situations may compel the Dean of Students to convene an ad hoc Student Conduct Committee (SCC), which will be assembled in such a way as to maintain impartiality toward the student in question throughout the process. Other situations may be sufficiently addressed through the Remediation and Formation Process. The sections below outline these formal processes. When appropriate, Denver Seminary community members are encouraged to utilize the Biblical Premise for Dispute Resolution and Legal Claims policy. Depending on the severity of the accusations, students have the option of seeking an informal resolution to concerns that arise. An informal resolution consists of communicating with the other party about the concern in question and attempting to resolve the matter without formal intervention on behalf of the Seminary. Students are not obligated to attempt an informal resolution before filing a formal grievance and should only proceed with an informal resolution if they feel safe doing so. Students engaging grievances through an informal process are encouraged to keep

• Cover