Student Conduct
The Student Conduct Office is an office within Residence Life. We support the educational mission of the university by upholding the Community Standards. The Grand Canyon University (GCU) Student Conduct Process is a fair and informal educational process designed to promote an educational environment and develop students to be a part of the global community.
Learning Outcomes Student Conduct:
1. Each Grand Canyon University Student will be able to:
- Access the Community Standards
- Explain the rationale for the Community Standards
2. Each student who is involved in the conduct process will be able to:
- Describe the impact of their decisions on themselves and others
- Describe their thought process leading to their decisions.
- Identify strategies to contribute to their communities.
- Assess their contributions to communities.
It is our desire that students at GCU will feel respected through the conduct process as they have the opportunity to have a student conduct professional walk with them though the process.
Student Conduct Board
The Student Conduct Board is made up of various members of the GCU community, including, but not limited to, student conduct coordinators, GCU professional staff, students and other staff.
Contact Us
Quick Links
University Policy Handbook
GCU Conduct Class
Health and Wellness Clinic
Public Safety
Incident Reporting System - TIPS
Community Standards
C.A.R.E. Model
- C - Communication
We will communicate collaboratively with each student. Our goal in this process will be to hear the student, bring clarity to the situation and provide meaningful feedback regarding sanctioning. - A - Actions
We will demonstrate that God cares for the student and will encourage them to understand how their actions affected them personally and those around them. - R - Responsibility
We will encourage the student to accept responsibility for their actions and complete their sanctions in a timely manner. - E - Education
We will educate the student during the Student Conduct Process by helping them understand the community standards, encouraging ongoing self-reflection and personal growth and guiding them to contribute positively in their relationships and communities.
Alcohol and Drug Policies
Alcohol Policy
GCU maintains a dry campus. Alcohol and/or alcohol paraphernalia are not permitted on GCU property. (GCU Arena may serve alcohol for outside events. Students will not be allowed to purchase alcohol in the arena.)
Violations of the alcohol policy will be taken seriously and consequences include university-approved sanctions up to and including police involvement, suspension and expulsion from the university. Any alcohol-related offense could be grounds for expedited sanctions that could result in suspension or expulsion from the university. Violations of the alcohol policy include, but are not limited to, engaging in underage drinking, providing alcohol to others underage and returning to campus under the influence that causes a disruption. Please keep in mind the following:
- GCU is a dry campus - alcohol and/or paraphernalia are not permitted.
- No alcohol, bottles, cans or containers, filled or empty, are allowed on campus.
- It is a violation to be present where alcohol is being consumed or stored, even if you are not drinking.
Drug Policy
GCU is committed to maintaining a drug-free community. Drug use, possession or distribution will not be tolerated. Smoking devices and drug paraphernalia are not allowed.
It is a violation to be present where drugs are consumed or stored, even if you are not smoking.
If a possible violation of the Community Standards occurs, you will be referred to one of the following processes:
- Meet with a student conduct coordinator to discuss the possible violation. If you accept responsibility, the student conduct coordinator will issue you a letter defining the sanctions within seven calendar days. If you deny responsibility, you will be referred to the Student Conduct Board.
- Meet with the Student Conduct Board to discuss the incident in order to determine involvement and possible sanctions.
Appeals of sanctions given by the Student Conduct Board, a student conduct officer or a resident director, are only accepted within 72 hours of when you are informed of the decision, either verbally or in writing, whichever is first (except for fines related to missed hall meetings, as noted below). Appeals are not accepted after this time. Appeals must include your reason for the appeal, personal contact information and the sanctions that you are disputing. Appeals not including this information will not be accepted.
Appeals will only be accepted for the following reasons:
- There was a procedural error in the Student Conduct Process that unfairly and materially affected the outcome of the Student Conduct Board's decision.
- Evidence has been discovered that was not reasonably available at the time of the hearing.
If you wish to appeal sanctions imposed by the Student Conduct Board or a student conduct officer, you can do so by completing the appeals form online.
Fire Alarms
Students are not allowed to tamper with or adjust the fire alarm/smoke detector in anyway. Sanctions include but are not limited to:
- $250 fine
- $500 fine if non-approved items are found in the room (vapes, e-cigs, etc.)
- $750 fine for second offense
- Third offense would be sent before Student Conduct Board for possible removal from housing.
Smoking
The possession of e-cigarettes, vapes and/or other smoking devices are allowed on campus, but NOT IN RESIDENTIAL LIVING AREAS. Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.
Sanctions include but are not limited to confiscation and destruction of devices by Public Safety.
Every conduct situation is handled on a case-by-case basis. Sanctions (consequences) can range from community service hours and fines to parental contact and educational classes. More serious incidents can result in being banned from housing and, if the Student Conduct Board deems it appropriate, being referred to the Code of Conduct Committee for suspension or expulsion from GCU.
For more information, see the Community Standards in the University Policy Handbook.
Attend a total of six Chapel, The Gathering and Life Groups.
Students involved in serious offenses (e.g. alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons and repeated major visitation violations) will be sent to the Student Conduct Board. The purpose of this hearing is to investigate possible policy violations, issue disciplinary sanctions as outlined by the university and decide rehabilitative measures that will be in the best interest of the student and the GCU community.
When attending a student conduct hearing, please:
- Be on time.
- Bring your student ID.
- Be honest with the hearing board. The board will have read reports written by the resident director on call and Public Safety before the hearing begins.
- Share what you feel is important for the board to hear. This is your opportunity to share your perspective and be heard before decisions are made regarding possible sanctions.
At the hearing, you will make a follow-up appointment with a student conduct coordinator to hear the decision of the board regarding your incident and to receive a letter detailing the sanctions assigned to you.
You will find information on your sanction letter of how to appeal the decision if you choose to do so. You are not allowed to bring any representatives with you to the meeting.
Please see the University Policy Handbook for more information regarding hearings.
Community Service
Our student conduct office is partnering with various on and off campus organizations in order to provide our students with the opportunity to give back community in a positive way. Below is a menu of options you can select from in order to complete community service hours. Please keep in mind the following:
- All community service must be above and beyond what you may already be doing. For example, if you are tutoring prior to the incident, you will need to find another way to complete the hours.
- All community service must be completed after the incident. Community service completed prior to the incident will not be accepted.
- Assigned community service projects are required to work that project assigned.
- You are asked to make a copy/take a picture of the community service log prior to turning in the hours.
- You are required to get clearance from the staff member who gave the community service hours before completing the service off campus.
- If you are a student-athlete, you may not use hours given by a coach or coaching staff.
Community Service Opportunities
Below is a menu of options you can select from in order to complete community service hours.
Friday nights and Saturdays
Contact:
George Archuleta
623-298-2846
[email protected]
Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that builds and repairs houses all over the world.
Stars Celebration (Christ's Church of the Valley)
- Project Date: October 29th & 30th
- Location: 7007 W Happy Valley Rd, Peoria, AZ 85383
- Contact Jake Young at 623) 376-2444 or email at [email protected] for more details such as ETA.
Serve the City
- Project Date: October 1st
- Location: Leave from GCU
- Contact Jaci Kuran at [email protected]
G.A.I.N. (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods)
- Project Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016
- Location: Cortez Park, 3434 W Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051
- Time: 7AM-1PM
- Contact Anna Sepic at 602-832-4472 or email at [email protected] for more details.
YoungLives House (YoungLife College)
- Project Dates: September 24th thru 30th, October 21st thru 27th, November 4th thru 9th.
- Contact: Rebecca Vogt at 623- 399-7259 or email at [email protected] for more details.
Helping Christian Boys Thrive Summit
- Project Date: October 22, 2016
- Location: 10561 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85383
Feed My Starving Children:
- Location: Mesa Fiesta Building, 1345 South Alma School Road, Mesa, AZ 85210
- Contact: 480-626-1970
- Approximately 3 hours each time
St. Mary's Food Bank:
- Location: 2831 N 31st Ave Phoenix AZ 85009
- Contact Brandy Devlin at 602-343-3127 or visit www.firstfoodbank.org for more details.
- Approximately 2 hours each time
Homeless Ministry
- Location: Outreach Lounge Wed/Thurs 5:50 am
- Contact Jaci Kuran at [email protected]
- Approximately 1 hour
CCV Stars ( Christ's Church of The Valley)
- Location: 7007 W Happy Valley Rd, Peoria, AZ 85383
- Contact Jake Young at 623) 376-2444 or email at [email protected] for more details Fri/Sat Nights
- Approximately 3 hours a night
New City Church
- Location: 1300 N. Central Ave, Phoenix AZ 85004
- Contact Mike Bhatti at Mike Bhatti [email protected] for more details Sundays am
- Approximately 2 hours each Sunday
Love Your City (Agape Church PHX)
- Location: TBD by the church/ need that needs fulfilling.
- Contact Chris Troyer at 602- 793-2951 for more details 1st Saturday of the month
- Approximately 2 hours on a Saturday
Refugee Ministry (Phoenician Palms Condominiums)
- Location: 3421 W Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051
- Contact Anna Sepic at 602-832- 4472 or email at [email protected] for more details.
- Approximately 2 hours per visit
*Failure to show up to an assigned community service project may result in an additional project and a fine. Please contact the Student Conduct Office with any questions
How Can I Help My Son or Daughter Through the Student Conduct Process?
Before your student arrives on campus:
- Have an open discussion with them about making good decisions, taking responsibility for their actions and responding to peer pressure.
- Make sure your student knows clearly what you expect and what you value.
- Remember that your student will look to you as a role model for dealing with and responding to conflict.
- Be open to discussing difficult topics such as substance abuse, intimate relationships and other risky behavior.
What do I do if my son/daughter has violated the student handbook?
- Speak with your student regarding the situation. Make sure that you listen carefully and critically.
- Make sure your student knows the Student Conduct Process. Your student should review the Community Standards section of the University Policy Handbook.
- Discuss with your student your expectations for their behavior at GCU.
- Brainstorm with your student appropriate resources for help and support (alcohol education, personal counseling, etc.).
Visitation Privileges
GCU strives to remain above reproach in all encounters with members of the opposite gender and/or significant others. The door to the residence hall suite must be propped open at 90 degrees for the entirety of the visit. In all living areas, guests of the opposite gender and/or significant others may not enter the bedroom.
Visitation Hours
Residence Halls
Sundays - Thursdays
Noon - 11 pm
Fridays and Saturdays
Noon - midnight
Apartments
10 am - midnight
Visitation Violations
Examples of visitation violations include, but are not limited to:
- Suite door is closed
- Visitation hours are over which includes the study rooms or floor lobbies,
- Being in the bedroom (suite door open or closed),
- Past hours as determined by the Resident Director,
- The intent to spend the night
- Spending the night
- Sexual activity as determined by the RD.
Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
- 1st violation: Recorded Incident
- 2nd violation Community Standards Class
- 3rd violation: $75 fine and loss of visitation privileges for three weeks
- 4th violation: Meet with a Student Conduct Officer and receive sanctions that may include but not limited to:
-Community Service
-Loss of Visitation Privileges
-Educational sanctions given by Student Conduct Coordinator
-Fine up to $150
-Removal from Housing - 5th Violation: Student Conduct Board and possible removal from housing
- 6th Violation: Removal from Housing
Intent to spend the night, sexual activity, or being in a room significantly past hall hours may result in an acceleration of the sanction process. During this time of changes to the sanctioning of visitation, the Student Conduct Office reserves the right to align last year’s sanctions given with placement into this year’s process.
Guest Privileges
This policy applies to students hosting off-campus and/or GCU commuter students in their apartment or residence hall during guest hours.
- Guests are the responsibility of the student who is hosting them, whether the guest is a GCU commuter student or an off-campus guest. The actions of the guest are the actions of the student hosting them. In other words, if your guest brings drugs into the apartment or residence hall suite, you will assume all responsibility and sanctions for the violation.
- Guests are required to abide by all the policies and rules of the university.
- Guests, whether off-campus guests or GCU commuter students, must sign in and out of the guest log found at the RA desk in the lobby of the living areas or the hub of the North Rim Apartments.
- Overnight guests are only permitted to stay no more than six nights per semester in campus housing, regardless of which student they stay with.