University Standards

Basic Standards of Academic Integrity:

Registration at Global University requires adherence to the university’s standards of academic integrity. Many of these standards may be intuitively understood and cannot in any case be listed exhaustively; the following examples represent some basic types of behavior that are unacceptable:

  1. Cheating: (a) using unauthorized notes, aids, or information when taking an examination; (b) submitting work done by someone else as your own; (c) copying or paraphrasing someone else’s essays, projects, or other work and submitting it as your own.
  2. Plagiarizing: submitting someone else’s work and claiming it as your own or neglecting to give appropriate documentation when using any kind of reference materials. Plagiarism, whether purposeful or unintentional, includes copying or paraphrasing materials from the study guide, textbook, someone else’s writing, or any other source (published or unpublished). Any words, thoughts, or ideas taken from any other source must be properly documented according to the Global University Undergraduate Form and Style Guide.
  3. Fabricating: falsifying or inventing any information, data, or citation.
  4. Obtaining an unfair advantage: (a) stealing, reproducing, circulating, or otherwise gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor or examination supervisor; (b) unauthorized collaborating on an academic assignment; (c) retaining, possessing, using, or circulating previously given examination materials where those materials clearly indicate they are to be returned to the examination supervisor or to the Global University offices at the conclusion of the examination.

Disciplinary action for not maintaining basic standards of academic integrity may range from lowering a grade for a paper to dismissal from the program, depending on the severity of the offense.

Code of Conduct:

Global University is a Christian educational institution aiming to, among other things, equip men and women to fulfill God’s calling on their lives. Christian conduct is therefore an expected norm. While Global University reaches many cultures around the world, it is understood that some practices acceptable in one culture may not be acceptable in another.

As Christians we look to the Scripture to guide our conduct. Therefore, students are expected to conduct themselves according to biblical principles of behavior. Examples of such principles are found in Romans 12:9-21; Galatians 5:22-23; and Ephesians 4:1-3, 25-32. The Code of Conduct also applies to verbal and written communication with Global University representatives, faculty, staff, and students. Furthermore, it extends to all electronic communication, including threaded discussions and e-mail with faculty and students.

Violation of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program.

Global University also wants each student to be aware of our Statement on Marriage, Human Sexuality, and Gender Identity that can be viewed at www.globaluniversity.edu. Simply select “About” from the top menu.

Due Process of Student Rights:

In all cases involving academic dishonesty, the student charged or suspected shall, at a minimum, be accorded the following rights:

  1. Prompt investigation of all charges of academic dishonesty, to be conducted, insofar as possible, in a manner that prevents public disclosure of the student’s identity. Such investigation may include informal review and discussion with an official of the school prior to bringing a charge, provided that such review does not compromise the rights of the student in the formal process.
  2. Reasonable written notice of the facts and evidence underlying the charge of academic dishonesty and of the principle(s) of academic integrity said to have been violated.
  3. Reasonable written notice of the procedure by which the accuracy of the charge will be determined.
  4. Reasonable time, if requested, within which to prepare a response to the charge.
  5. A hearing or meeting at which the student involved may be heard and the accuracy of the charge determined by a neutral decision maker.
  6. Review of any adverse initial determination, if requested, by an appeals committee to whom the student has access in person. Generally, implementation of sanctions will be suspended until all appeals made by the student have been exhausted.
  7. Final review of an unsuccessful appeal, if requested, by the president or an advisory committee designated by the president.

Tracking and Addressing Student Complaints:

Global University takes complaints and grievances seriously. The Department of Student Services, of GU’s Academic Affairs Office, maintains and monitors a complaint or grievance file. The complaints received usually belong in two general categories: (1) the course content or (2) the course delivery and support system.

  1. Complaints relating to course content are referred to the University Materials Development (UMD) Department and to the Professor of Record (PoR) for the course. A student representative will then contact the student with an answer to the student’s question(s) or with a solution to the student’s problem.
  2. Complaints relating to the delivery and support system are handled through the Student Services Department. A student representative will contact the student to resolve the difficulty. In some cases, this leads to the establishment of new policies or procedures to improve the delivery system for all students.

In more difficult or complex situations, especially those involving problems spanning more than one department, the complaint is referred to the provost. As necessary, the Academic Affairs Committee will also become involved to resolve student complaints in a timely and satisfactory manner.

A student can file a grievance with Global University by choosing any one of the following three contacts:

  1. A student may contact a Global University faculty member or national office staff member by e-mail, phone, fax, post/mail, or in person. Often, problems are easily resolved at this level.
  2. A student may contact the Student Services Department of Global University by e-mail, phone, fax, post/mail, or in person. Student Services personnel are trained to resolve student concerns.
  3. A student may contact any administrator of Global University by e-mail, phone, fax, post/mail, or in person. In these cases, the matter typically will require a period of investigation in order to be resolved.

Once a concern, complaint, or grievance is received, every effort will be made to resolve the issue personably and quickly. Should a student not be satisfied with the resolution, the student can appeal the decision to the International Office of Global University and directly to the Provost’s Office. Should a student not be satisfied with the resolution, the student can contact the Provost’s Office and request that the issue be addressed by the Global University Academic Affairs Committee. The decision of the Academic Affairs Committee will be deemed final.

If a student has a problem resolving an issue with Global University, the student may direct a comment to the NC-SARA organization at this link: https://www.nc-sara.org/student-complaints

Notification of Rights under FERPA:

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include:

  1. The right to inspect and review education records within 45 days of the day Global University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The registrar will make arrangements for access and notify students of the time and place the records may be inspected. In place of inspecting the record(s), students may request that records be copied and mailed to them. In this case, students will pay postal costs and a copy fee of 15 cents (United States currency) per page.
  2. The right to request the amendment of education records students believe are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the university to amend a record they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested, the university will notify students of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to students when they are notified of the right to a hearing.
  3. The right to request in writing that certain directory information only be disclosed with the student’s written consent. Unless otherwise requested, directory information such as the student’s name, mailing address, e-mail address, phone number, dates of attendance, enrollment status, graduation status, and other institutions attended may be released without written consent. Non-directory information such as student ID number, social security number, date of birth, and grades may only be released with the student’s written consent except where FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Exceptions include disclosure to federal, state, and local authorities as well as school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

The student has the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Global University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address and phone number of the office that administers FERPA are listed below: Family Policy Compliance Office US Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5920 Phone: 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327)

Global University Statement on Marriage, Human Sexuality, and Gender Identity:

Global University’s Position and Purpose

Global University is a General Council of the Assemblies of God (USA) educational institution, and like our parent organization we are rooted in the evangelical and Pentecostal tradition. This includes our interpretation of Scripture and our doctrinal beliefs.

Global University exists to equip men and women to fulfill God’s calling on their lives. Therefore a three-way partnership is expected between God, the university, and the student: God empowers the Christian student through the Holy Spirit; the student desires to grow in faith, to live in a way pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to work toward the realization of his or her educational goals; the university provides opportunities for the student to learn, grow in faith, and fulfill God’s calling on his or her life.

Biblical Framework and Sexuality

For this to happen, a recognition of scriptural authority is necessary, which includes a set of moral absolutes. The Global University community considers the Bible the authoritative revelation of God to His creation, the voice that guides humanity to find its true identity in Christ. Since Global University is guided by this concept, members of the university community are expected to live in conformity to the biblical teachings as our tradition interprets them.

The Scriptures tell us in Genesis 1:27 (1) that God created humanity after the divine image, (2) that He created two distinct sexes, male (man) and female (woman), sexually different but with equal personal dignity, and (3) that gender identity was established at creation and is unchanging. We regard a person’s sex at birth as the identification of a person’s biological sex, and we do not support attempts to alter one’s birth sex in favor of an opposite physiological and / or psychological gender.

Because the divine image was expressed in two distinct sexes, male and female, an important demonstration of this image is the possibility of an intimate union of man and woman in the covenant of marriage. Genesis 1:27 and 2:22-25 show that the first marriage was between a man and a woman, and we understand this to be the biblical model for marriage. Heterosexuality is seen as God’s design and intent, and male and female are necessary counterparts, differentiated partners, in a sexual relationship within the covenant of marriage. Global University therefore regards sexual activity and intimacy as intended by the Creator to be enjoyed solely within the lifelong, monogamous, heterosexual marital partnership between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6). This is a way we honor God through the bodies and souls He gave us: through faithfulness within the marriage covenant, and chastity outside it (1 Corinthians 7:1-4; Ephesians 5:22-33).

Sexual relations outside of marriage or between persons of the same sex are spoken of in Scripture as contrary to the will of the Creator (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-11). Therefore, Global University does not support or approve of any behavior in which sexual desire or satisfaction is elevated above purity and service to God. This includes same-sex sexual activity and any sexual activity outside the marital relationship between a husband and wife.

Biblical Redemption and Healing from Brokenness

No follower of Christ is perfect; all believers are in a process of growth and perfection, on a journey to become everything God created them to be. Along the journey we experience brokenness, internal conflicts, temptations, and other struggles common in an imperfect world. However, God redeems repentant people, including in areas of sexuality, and anyone struggling with sexual purity can trust God to help him or her become a whole person whose life will align with biblical teachings.

Community Commitment

By enrolling in Global University, the student signifies his or her willingness to abide by the principles in this Statement, and to respect and uphold these principles. Activism of any kind against these principles is a violation of that commitment, and behavior that violates any part of this Statement may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from Global University.