Student Life (2011-2012)
Philosophy of Student Life
Mid-Atlantic Christian University models its student life philosophy after the life of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:52). Just as Christ grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men, the student life staff strives to create and maintain a living and learning environment that will enhance the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development of the student body. Student life is a team effort of administrators, faculty, staff, and student leaders who provide numerous activities, programs, and events to encourage students in their spiritual development.
Campus Life
Every family or community has guidelines that members are expected to live by, guidelines that help maintain a safe and orderly environment. The Mid-Atlantic Christian University Student Handbook sets forth the principles and rules for our community. Some of the guidelines are based directly on biblical teaching; others, on Scriptural principles. Some are simply preferences for our university community. We acknowledge that it is difficult to judge motives that produce behavior; however, the University administration accepts the responsibility to establish standards of conduct to enhance the quality of student life and to insure that the University will not be embarrassed or compromised in its mission as a Christian institution of higher learning. The Student Handbook also contains policies on issues that impact student life, such as student records, crime prevention, discrimination, athletics, and safety. The Student Handbook is distributed each summer to students planning to enroll in the fall. A copy may also be obtained by contacting the Student Life Office.
Students at Mid-Atlantic Christian University are expected to behave in a manner consistent with their Christian testimony, giving full respect to the biblical principles as expressed in the Student Handbook. Any student who fails to do so forfeits his or her right to remain at the University.
Each full-time student or student in a degree program is required to pledge that he or she will refrain from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, as well as abide by all rules in the Student Handbook. The University reserves the right to discipline and dismiss any student for unsatisfactory conduct as defined by the Student Handbook.
Campus security. Student safety is a primary concern at MACU. The administration is committed to protecting our students and has developed an Emergency Response Plan in the event of a crisis situation. Students at Mid-Atlantic reside in residence halls protected by fire alarm systems and locked entry doors. Students and parents desiring more information may request the “Crime Prevention” brochure from the Student Life Office.
Student Life Committee. The Student Life Committee is composed of four representatives from each class and a president and vice president who are elected by the student body. The committee plans numerous activities that enhances and improves university life.
Social life. Mid-Atlantic students have access to a well-rounded social life through functions sponsored by the University, class organizations, residence halls, and nearby churches. A coffeehouse near campus is a popular gathering place. A movie theater, a bowling alley, restaurants, and shopping are available in Elizabeth City. Numerous shopping malls, the beach, and other attractions are located in the South Hampton Roads area or the Outer Banks, an hour’s drive away.
Christian Development
Spiritual life. At Mid-Atlantic Christian University, students have the opportunity not only to train their minds but also to nurture their spiritual lives in order to become maturing servants of God.
Devotions led by the resident assistants throughout the semester provide opportunities to deepen relationships with fellow students and with God. Weekly discipleship groups provide prayer, fellowship, and Bible study in small groups. Resident students gather in student-led worship events on a regular basis.
Campus ministers are available for specific spiritual and personal needs. Our campus ministry program considers the specific needs of men, women, traditional and adult learners.
Each fall, a Missions Emphasis Week brings a guest missionary speaker to campus. The University Alumni Association sponsors a Gospel Rally and Homecoming in the spring. Spiritual Emphasis Week is planned for each spring with various guest speakers.
Chapel. Mid-Atlantic Christian University students, faculty, and staff gather twice a week for chapel services. As part of the graduation requirements, two units of Christian leadership experience are required for the baccalaureate degree and one for an associate. The University believes that participation in chapel is a vital part of the educational experience at Mid-Atlantic Christian University. Student led chapels provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate some of the educational outcomes expected of the University’s graduates. Students plan one of the weekly chapel programs, serving as speakers, song leaders, instrumentalists, and singers. Students receiving an associate degree are to required to participate in planning a chapel their sophomore year. Students receiving a baccalaureate degree are required to participate in planning a chapel service their junior and senior year. At other times, a faculty member or a missionary, alumnus, or other guest speaks in chapel. Chapel attendance is required of all students. See the Student Handbook for attendance requirements and policies.
In addition to our weekly chapel services, there are many other spiritual growth events held throughout each semester. In the fall, Missions Emphasis week exposes students to cross-cultural ministries from various areas of the globe. In the spring, Gospel Rally (our homecoming event), and Spiritual Emphasis week, helping students see God moving through guest speakers and alumni.
Church attendance. Mid-Atlantic Christian University believes it is imperative that each student be involved in a local congregation. Thus, freshmen and sophomores must report their church involvement on a weekly basis to the Student Life Office. Juniors, seniors, and those over the age of 23 are to write a Spiritual Formation Plan at the beginning of each semester outlining their intended church involvement and other steps in continued spiritual growth. At the end of the semester, these students are to reflect and evaluate their Spiritual Formation Plan, making appropriate revisions for the following semester.
Dismissal. Mid-Atlantic Christian University reserves the right to require the withdrawal of, or refuse re-admission to, any student at any time it deems necessary to safeguard its ideals of scholarship and Christian character and to secure compliance with its standards. Dishonesty in any phase of school work, failure to give truthful testimony to a University official, disregard for the safety and rights of others, and any behavior which reflects discredit upon Christ and the University are serious offenses which may lead to dismissal. A student receives a W for each course in the term.
Honor Code. If students knowingly, or inadvertently, violate any MACU rule or regulation published in the Student Handbook, they are on their honor to report themselves to a Resident Assistant, a Residence Hall Director, or the Vice President for Enrollment Services. If violations by other students are known, students are expected to report those violations to a Residence Hall Director or the Vice President for Enrollment Services. The University believes that Christians share the responsibility of assisting fellow Christians in personal spiritual growth. Any honor code the University has is intended as a redemptive device. All violations of the honor code are viewed with the utmost seriousness.
Christian Service. Upon graduation, four-year degree seeking students are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of Christian service. Ideally, these hours will be completed over six semesters, 10 hours each semester. Two-year degree seeking students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of Christian service. These hours can be completed through a course that utilizes Christian service or through an approved and documented independent project.
Students must seek approval from the Student Life Department to complete an independent project. These students will need to provide an explanation of the project and need for the project within the community or church. Upon completion of the project, the student will provide documentation from a supervisor that they have completed their hours and as well as a brief self-evaluation. Approval and evaluations forms can be requested from the Student Life Office and are located on Moodle and the website. The following are a few possibilities for independent projects:
Teaching a Sunday School Class
Serving as a youth sponsor
Volunteering at the local soup kitchen
Tutoring at the local school
Volunteering at a non-profit organization
Student progress. Mid-Atlantic Christian University believes that a Christian education should help the student develop in all areas of his or her life. In order to graduate from Mid-Atlantic Christian University, a student must not only meet academic requirements but also demonstrate Christian character and conduct. The Student Life Office desires to encourage healthy progress in Christian character, social behavior, and involvement in Christian service. Each semester, the Student Life staff collects data from faculty, staff, and resident assistants to assess each student’s progress in the above areas. The Student Life Office then commends exemplary progress or seeks to encourage improvement where progress is needed (see the Student Handbook for more information).
Student Activities
Recreation. Mid-Atlantic Christian University’s riverfront campus is equipped with a gymnasium, Student Center, athletic fields, tennis courts, and picnic areas. Students can be involved in such recreational and intramural sports activities as basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, golf, boating, and flag football. The Student Center offers ping-pong, pool, pinball, foosball, and air hockey tables. Weightlifting and exercise equipment are available in the residence halls. A public par-three golf course is located less than a mile from campus. Students can also join the YMCA or local health club and have use of a swimming pool, racquetball courts, sauna, and weight and exercise equipment. Surfers, swimmers, and fishermen can enjoy the beaches of Nags Head, North Carolina, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, which are within an hour’s drive of the campus.
Athletics. The University is a member of the Shenandoah and Chesapeake Athletic Conference. Team members must be in good academic standing (i.e., not on probation or admitted under provisional status) as stated in the Academic Policies section of the catalog.
Commencement activities. Each May, Mid-Atlantic Christian University students, faculty, and staff enjoy a series of events designed to celebrate the end of the academic year and honor those who are graduating. To express respect and support to those graduating, on-campus students and all off-campus students who live in or near Elizabeth City are expected to attend the Graduation Reception and Commencement.
Recruitment teams. The Enrollment Services Department fields University recruitment teams. Each team, typically composed of four or five students, represents the University through drama, music, and preaching in churches, camps, and conventions. Membership is by audition. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.
Student Services
Automobiles and parking. Students are permitted to have cars on campus. Resident students will find ample parking near the residence halls on East Campus. Certain parking areas are reserved for visitors, staff, commuting students, and married-housing residents (see the Student Handbook for more information).
Counseling. Students having problems with studies, finances, Christian service, personal life, or any other issue, are encouraged to seek counsel from Residence Hall Directors, campus ministers, teachers, academic advisors, the counseling center, or the professionally trained University counselor. Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor to help the student adjust to University life and plan his or her academic career.
Student Health. The University does not provide medical, hospital, or surgical services, nor does the University assume responsibility for injuries incurred by students when taking part in sports, class, or student activities. Professional medical services are available at the Albemarle Hospital, less than two miles from campus. Walk-in, non-emergency medical centers and numerous physicians’ offices are located nearby. The University certifies and promotes a drug-free workplace. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited.
Student housing. Since learning how to live with others is an important part of the Christian life, single, full-time students under age 23 are required to reside in University provided housing, unless living with parents or other approved relatives. A Residence Hall Director, who lives in the building, supervises the residence hall. A student resident assistant resides on each hall of the building.
Each residence hall room is equipped with built-in beds, closets, bookshelves, desks, mirrors, individual heat and air conditioning controls, and a sink. A telephone is provided, with voice mail for each resident; wireless internet access is also provided. Students in full agreement with the policies and spirit of Mid-Atlantic Christian University may be permitted to reside in the University residence halls while enrolled at the local community college or state university.
Computer lab. A computer lab with Internet access is located on the second floor of Heritage Hall. This computer lab, together with the computing center in the library (see below), ensures that all students have ready access to computers on campus. Each student is given a personal e-mail account and access to the campus computer network.
Learning Center. The Learning Center helps students develop the academic skills they need in order to succeed in college. Students may receive help in study techniques, time management, test-taking strategies, English composition, completing projects and assignments, and basic computer knowledge. Located in the Watson-Griffith Library, the Learning Center is supervised by a faculty member and is staffed by upperclassmen. Students are encouraged to use the Learning Center and are welcome by appointment or as walk-ins.
Library. Watson-Griffith Library, with its beautiful riverfront views and modern architecture, provides a welcome place for research and study. The three-story facility houses the University’s book collection, periodicals, computer resources, audiovisuals, and video and compact disc collections. Internet access and a computing center are provided in the library. The computerized card catalog is available on the campus computer network and the World Wide Web. See the Library Handbook for all the policies and procedures related to the library.
Grievances
The University encourages students to communicate grievances by speaking to the proper personnel as listed in the Student Handbook. A complainant may, however, choose to write a letter. The letter must specify the nature of the grievance and must be dated and signed.
If a student believes that his grievance has not been properly addressed, he may appeal to the vice president of the administrative division involved in the grievance. If the grievance involves a vice president, the student should consult another vice president or the president. A final appeal, if necessary, may be made to the president, whose decision will be final. If the grievance involves the president, the student should consult one of the four vice presidents.
(Page last updated July 5, 2011)
