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186 │COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2017-2018 │STUDENT LIFE
Campus Residency Requirements for Single Undergraduate Students
We believe the best possible way to experience the total life training CIU provides is through living on campus. By living in
community with others, students have the opportunity to experience close Christian fellowship with the possibility of
developing lifelong friendships. The chance to develop and improve a disciplined lifestyle is enhanced, and there are greater
opportunities for participating in social activities. We have thus established a campus residency requirement. Full-time
undergraduate students who are single and under 23 years of age are required to live on campus. Students living with
immediate family within commuting distance are required to live on campus for their first two semesters of attendance at
CIU (this includes dependents of CIU employees).
Student Discipline
Student Life personnel address matters of student conduct requiring discipline with redemptive intent. Assessment takes
into account the nature of the problem and the student’s attitude, previous conduct, and length of enrollment at CIU. Students
have opportunities to grow through counseling and/or logical or natural consequences. The ultimate goal is restoration of
healthy relationships with God, other individuals, and the community. The Student Handbook lists some of these avenues.
Student Complaints and Grievance Policy
It is the goal of CIU to provide services and educational opportunities without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color,
national origin, disability or sex. Should a student have a complaint, CIU provides two avenues for the student to address
the complaint; a student may choose to appeal a decision or file a formal grievance. An appeal can be made when a student
disagrees with a university decision. A grievance can be filed when a dispute has arisen regarding treatment toward a
student by a university employee. The process aims to be constructive and positive in resolving differences.
Definition:
A student grievance is a perceived or actual cause for student complaint arising out of some perceived or actual harm due
to an action taken by the university or a university employee. These grievances address a university-related problem or
condition which a student believes to be unfair, inequitable, discriminatory, or a hindrance to the overall educational process.
A grievance may also include discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, or sex.
General Principles:
Whenever possible and in a timely fashion, a student should voice a complaint informally with the university employee
involved in the initial situation before filing a grievance.
Anonymous complaints will not be formally addressed.
There will be no adverse effect on, or retaliation against, either a student who, in good faith, submits an appeal/grievance,
or against any person who, in good faith, provides information regarding an appeal/grievance.
Written appeals or grievances will receive written responses within five business days and will be kept on file in the
appropriate office.
Academic Grievance Procedure
If a student has a concern about an academic matter the following process should be followed:
Step 1
: In keeping with the Matthew 18 principle, the student should discuss the matter with the faculty member involved.
Faculty will listen to concerns or questions and, when deemed appropriate, amend decisions. After the discussion, if the
student feels that one of the following applies, Step 2 of the appeal process may be taken:
The decision rendered was not supported by sufficient evidence (i.e. expectations in the class syllabus).
The academic consequence is more severe than called for by the situation.
A stated university policy has been misapplied.
Discrimination
Step 2
: Within three days of receiving an answer from the faculty member, a letter of appeal should be delivered to the
student’s academic advisor. If the academic advisor is the faculty member involved, Step 3 should be taken. The letter of
appeal should outline the concern, describe the steps taken and the answer given, and provide an explanation of why one
of the above stated reasons can be applied to the situation. The academic advisor will have a meeting with the student and
the faculty member to discuss the problem and issue a written decision on the appeal within 30 days. If the student feels
that the decision does not correctly address the reason for the appeal as stated above, he or she should proceed to Step
3.
Step 3
: Within three days of receiving a written decision from the academic advisor, the student should deliver a letter of
appeal to his or her dean of the college who will direct the appeal to the Academic Grievance Committee. The letter will be
given to the committee chair and the matter will be presented to the Academic Grievance Committee for resolution. The