Community Standards

Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

Richmont is committed to the intentional creation of an environment of belonging that celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, with the goal of advancing God’s healing, restoration, and transformation in the lives of individuals, families, churches, and communities.

Statement on Nondiscrimination

Richmont does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, affectional preference, indigenous heritage, national origin or gender race, color, national origin, gender, handicap or disability, or age, in any of its policies, procedures, or practices in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (pertaining to race, color, and national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (pertaining to gender), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (pertaining to handicap), and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (pertaining to age).

This nondiscrimination policy covers admission and access to Richmont programs and activities, as well as employment at Richmont. Additionally, Richmont opposes physical abuse, verbal abuse, or implied threat toward any person on the basis of age, disability, race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, affectional preference, indigenous heritage, national origin or gender. Richmont recognizes the rights of all people to live peacefully in society and freely express their beliefs. Members of the Richmont community with a concern or complaint which may involve discrimination are encouraged to discuss the concern with a designated investigator as identified in Richmont’s Statement on Sexual Harassment. Richmont will follow the "Complaint Resolution Procedures" outlined in the Statement on Sexual Harassment for investigating and resolving discrimination complaints.

Statement on Nondiscriminatory Language

The faculty of Richmont has adopted the following statement recommending the use of nondiscriminatory language by all members of the Richmont community. Richmont has adopted the statement to be consistent with Richmont’s clear commitment to the full equality of women and men and to the training of women as equal partners with men for all areas of Christian ministry.

As members of the Joint Faculty of Richmont, we are committed to the use of nondiscriminatory language in all areas of the community’s life. We recognize that many women and men no longer find ‘man,’ ‘men,’ and ‘mankind’ acceptable as generic terms. We understand that such exclusive language, though once normative in our speaking and writing, now tends increasingly to alienate a substantial group of people. We wish to challenge patterns of language that may be doing harm even when harm is inflicted unconsciously and without intention. As Christians desiring to support human equality, we intend to avoid exclusive language, which might express or encourage discrimination within the church or society. We pledge ourselves as faculty and encourage students, staff members, and administrators to use language which includes women and men in all our teaching, writing, witness, and worship.

Statement on Academic Freedom

In the pursuit of truth before God, faculty members are free to express their individual positions, in their writing, speaking, teaching, and activities. While free to develop, change, and accept any academic position, the unique task of the institution requires that the ultimate positions of faculty members not be at variance with the basic theological stance of the community as set forth in the Statement of Faith and other official statements derived from it and approved by vote of the faculty and board.

Richmont recognizes that as its faculty members pursue their respective disciplines, scholarship will create a healthy and dynamic tension, which Richmont must encourage. Therefore: Students are free to learn and to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in the Richmont community. In their public expressions, students and student organizations should make clear that they speak only for themselves, and not for the university.

Faculty members are responsible for safeguarding the academic freedom of their students to learn by encouraging free inquiry into controversial issues, presenting alternative viewpoints, refraining from undue influence of the process of learning, taking dissenting student opinion seriously, and offering a forum for discussion.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names, and images used in commerce.

• University means Richmont Graduate University.
• Creator refers to any person employed by or enrolled at the University who produces works considered to be Intellectual Property.
• Substantial use of university facilities means the extensive unreimbursed use of major university laboratory, computational facilities, or human resources. The use of these facilities must be important to the creation of the intellectual property; merely incidental use of a facility does not constitute substantial use, nor does extensive use of a facility commonly available to all faculty or professional staff (such as libraries and offices). Use is considered "extensive" and facilities will be considered "major" if the use of similar facilities would cost the creator more than $2000 (two thousand dollars) if purchased or leased in the public market.

Ownership of Intellectual Property

Ownership of IP produced in the normal course of a creator’s connection to the University shall remain with the University. The ownership of textbooks, scholarly monographs, trade publications, student theses, maps, charts, articles in journals and newspapers, novels, nonfiction works, supporting materials, artistic works, and like works shall reside with the creator(s). Except for textbooks, the University shall have royalty-free use of the work within the University, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Students may request a one-year embargo on the display of their thesis to allow for the possibility of publication.

Funded research, other creative works, and future forms of Intellectual Property creation may involve circumstances not covered in this policy. Creators who collaborate with others outside of the University may also be involved in conflicting Intellectual Property claims. In these cases, creators should consult with the University President in advance to clarify Intellectual Property rights.

Resolution of Disputes
All disputes over Intellectual Property rights shall be settled by the University President, taking professional advice if needed.

Dissemination of Policy
This Intellectual Property Policy is included in the Administrative Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and Student Handbook.

Statement on Respect for People and Property

As a community of Christians with special commitment to acting out of love toward one another, Richmont expects community behavior that demonstrates the highest standard of respect for people and property. Scripture is replete with exhortations to look out for the welfare of others and build up each other, to be good protectors and stewards of the possessions God has given us and to be honest and keep one’s word. Richmont is committed to fostering respectful interpersonal relationships regardless of gender, race, age, handicap, or national origin.

Basic standards for respectful conduct at Richmont are similar to those of other institutions of higher education in societies with the legal foundation of respect for people and property. Occasions may arise when specific standards relevant to this community are not fully recognized. Accordingly, the following examples of behaviors that are not acceptable according to the Statement on Respect for People and Property may be cause for disciplinary action. When appropriate, these may be reported to civil authorities for legal or other action.

• Dishonesty: Richmont regards as unacceptable lying, misrepresentation, or deception in representations an individual makes about self or others, especially in formal statements.
• Injurious or offensive action: Physical assault, infliction of psychological injury, and the spread of malicious rumors are unacceptable. Prejudicial treatment based on gender, race, age, and physical challenge is both offensive and injurious and will not be tolerated under any conditions. Persistent profane or obscene language that gives offense is subject to disciplinary action.
• Disruption: Acts by individuals or groups that substantially interfere with the rights of others or interfere with the normal activities of Richmont are unacceptable. Disruptive activities in classrooms, libraries, offices, or other campus meeting assembly areas are included.
• Stealing or destruction of property: Theft of or damage to the property of another person or of Richmont is unacceptable. Defacing or rendering library material unusable shows little respect for people or property. Unauthorized possession or use of Richmont materials or equipment is stealing.
• Purposeful violation of institutional policies: Purposeful violations include refusal to comply with contractual arrangements with Richmont offices or services and unwillingness to abide by established Richmont policies.

Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs

Richmont Graduate University is committed to maintaining a drug-free learning environment. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited on Richmont grounds or at Richmont activities by all students and employees. It is also a violation of Richmont policy for anyone to consume or possess alcohol in any public or private area of campus without prior University approval. The use of wine for communion is excluded from the need for prior approval. In addition, it is a violation of Richmont policy for employees to work while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Individuals or groups violating alcohol or substance use policies (either on- or off-campus) will be subject to disciplinary action by the University and, possibly, criminal prosecution. Any infraction of federal, state, or local laws will be reported to local law enforcement agencies.

Additional detail on sanctions and penalties regarding drugs and alcohol is available in the Student Handbook and Faculty Handbook.

Sexual Offenses

Richmont educates the student community about the effects of sexual assault through an online training for all new students. The Student Handbook and University trainings offer information including:

• Biblical Views on Sexual Misconduct
• Sexual Misconduct & Sexual Harassment Definitions
• Safe & Effective Bystander Interventions
• Risk Reduction of Sexual Misconduct
• Procedures for Victims of Sexual Misconduct

If a student is a victim of sexual misconduct or assault, the first priority is to get to a place of safety and to get help. An assault can be immediately or later reported to the authorities. School personnel (e.g., the Office of Student Affairs) can assist the student in notifying authorities if requested. In addition, referrals to off-campus mental health resources are available through the Office of Student Affairs. If the alleged perpetrator is also a student, disciplinary action can be initiated.

Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Complaint Resolution Procedures are detailed in the Student Handbook. A student found guilty of violating the Richmont sexual misconduct policy could be criminally prosecuted in the state courts and may be suspended or expelled from Richmont for the first offense. Student victims have the option to change their academic situations after an alleged sexual assault, if such changes are reasonably available.

Advising the Campus Community about Sexual Offenders

Convicted sex offenders are required by law to register their names and addresses with the State of Georgia Department of Corrections; likewise, in the state of Tennessee. Interested persons may obtain state information on individuals registered as sex offenders by visiting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry website or the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry website.

Guests and Children on Campus

The facilities of Richmont Graduate University are restricted to use by students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University, except when all or part of the University location, its buildings, or its facilities are open to the general public for a designated time and purpose. A “guest” of the University is a person invited by an officer, employee, or student to visit the campus at a specific time and place for a designated purpose. Guests must sign in and out at the front desk.

Personal guests of students are permitted as long as they restrict the length of their campus visits and abide by all appropriate guidelines and policies related to their visit, including but not limited to not disrupting the student or any other person’s work or other appropriate use of the campus. By inviting a personal guest on campus, the student assumes responsibility for that guest and should remain with the guest. Guests are not permitted to attend class with a student unless the student obtains the faculty member’s prior permission. Such permission will only be granted in very special and limited circumstances.

Arranging childcare is the personal responsibility of students who have children. Students are not authorized to bring children to a Richmont facility for extended periods of time. Frequent or lengthy visits of children are not permitted, as they may create disruptions and distractions and present a liability to the University for their safety. Minors under the age of 12 should not be left unsupervised at any time at any of Richmont’s facilities.

Children may not attend class, use University equipment, or be left unattended on University property. Childcare issues frequently arise when holiday schedules of Richmont and those of the child’s school do not match, or when a child is sick and cannot attend school or daycare. Students must plan for these challenges in advance. Asking a faculty member to allow a child in class is not an option, as faculty members are not authorized to allow children to attend class.