Community Covenant
Northwest University is a community of Christians who have voluntarily joined together for the purpose of academic achievement, personal development, and spiritual growth. Participation in the University community is based on a foundational commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Together we commit to honor Him by integrating faith and learning while our hearts and lives reflect the process of maturing in Christ.
The purpose of our Lifestyle standard is to clarify the expectations for participation in our community that will assist us in living together and in meeting our objectives. We acknowledge that it is impossible to create a community with expectations which are totally acceptable to every member. Nevertheless, certain expectations must be specified to assure a safe and vibrant community. When individuals join the Northwest community, they freely and willingly choose to take upon themselves the responsibilities outlined in this statement.
Assumptions
- Loving God and being accountable to Him are the primary motivations for Christian relationships and behavior.
- The Bible is our authority; it provides the essential teachings and principles for personal and community conduct.
- God, through the Holy Spirit, places in every believer the inner resources and attributes to minister to others through supportive relationships.
Lifestyle Standards
In addition to subscribing to Biblical expectations, members of the Northwest University community voluntarily commit themselves to the following standards of behavior. This commitment results from the conviction that these standards serve the good of the individual and our community of individuals, as well as the institution. These standards are not set forth as an measure or assumption of Christian spirituality, but rather as expectations of this community. Because of the importance of trust in and responsibility to one another, violations of these standards are regarded as a serious breach of integrity within the community.
The following standards apply at Northwest University to residential and non-residential students:
- We celebrate our freedom and responsibility to worship.
Members of the community honor the Lord’s Day (Sunday) as a day set apart primarily for worship, fellowship, ministry and rest. While activities such as recreation may be a part of the day, “business as usual” relative to University programs and services will not be sanctioned or encouraged except where absolutely necessary. - Corporate worship, fellowship and instruction are an integral part of a vibrant, Christ-centered community.
Therefore, all community members expected to regularly participate in chapel. Regular attendance is understood as a mature response to our community goals. - Our community embraces health – in mind, body, and spirit.
The community recognizes the danger to one’s physical, developmental, and psychological well being in the use of certain products. Therefore, members of the community are to refrain from the use of tobacco in any form, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and substances (including marijuana) or narcotics not authorized by a physician. Under no other circumstances are the above to be used, possessed or distributed on or away from campus. Members are expected not to abuse the use of legal substances. - We desire to be wise stewards of our resources.
Gambling (exchange of money and goods by betting or wagering) is viewed as an unwise use of God-given resources, and therefore is not acceptable. - We are committed to the God-given dignity of every individual.
Because of our concern for the worth and dignity of persons, each member of the community is expected to be sensitive to needs existing in our society and on our campus. Therefore, discrimination against others on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or disability is not acceptable. - We are absolutely committed to a safe and nurturing community.
Any kind of harassment, demeaning gesture, threat of violence or physical attack directed toward another person will not be tolerated. Vandalism of property is also unacceptable. - Our community strives to make life-enhancing choices in entertainment.
The University urges its members to be selective in their choices of entertainment and recreation. Activities and entertainment that are of questionable value or diminish a person’s moral sensitivity should be avoided, thus R-rated movies are prohibited in University Housing. Further, music and video games should be limited to those that don’t include explicit violence or sexuality. - The pornography industry exploits people and ruins healthy development and relationships.
Further, the use of the industry’s products is immoral. Therefore, pornographic materials are not to be used, possessed, or distributed on or away from campus. - As Christian scholars, we take responsibility for our own academic work.
Members of the community are subject to the demands of academic integrity such as honesty and giving credit to sources. Plagarism or dishonesty in any form is not allowed. - Compliance with day-to-day policies and procedures of the community is expected from all members.