Rosedale Bible College : Dean of Students : Resident Policies 5

Chapter 5: Living in Community

This chapter is designed to be a window into daily life at Rosedale so that you know what to expect when you arrive on campus. We are committed to being a place where students can step out of their normal routines for a time of spiritual and intellectual growth. We have crafted our community standards to help achieve that objective.

The primary rule that we have is that we love one another. Everything we do and say should be characterized by our love for Christ and others. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:8).

Private Worship

You are encouraged to spend regular time in private worship, Bible reading, and prayer. Dorm living often creates a challenge for students to find time to be alone with Jesus, so try to be proactive: make a schedule with your roommate for time alone in the room, go to the prayer rooms located around campus, or spend time alone with God outdoors.

Chapel

Chapel is an opportunity for you to worship with the RBC family. Chapel is scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and may include faculty addresses, spiritual formation services, music and worship, and guest speakers. Chapel time on Tuesdays is set aside for smaller assigned prayer groups. We do not have a regularly scheduled chapel service on Thursdays, with the exception of special conferences and events. We would invite you to spend this chapel period in a time of private prayer and worship.

As an RBC student, you will be expected to regularly attend our chapel services. Resident students will need to sign-in at the beginning of each service. We understand that there will be times when you will need to miss a service, and you will be able to take four chapel skips per semester and two during the winter term without penalty. Additional skips will result in a fine or other disciplinary action.

Sunday Observance

We believe that Sunday is a special day for worship, rest, and rejuvenation. You are expected to attend two Sunday services. Students need to attend a local church in the morning. Students are free to choose a local church for the evening service or attend the evening service on campus. We also recognize that there is a broad range of understanding about how Christians should observe Sunday. At RBC we ask students to maintain a quiet atmosphere on campus by observing a 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. quiet time in the dorms and not doing unnecessary shopping on Sundays.

Counseling

From time to time, students require assistance to work through personal issues in their lives. The dean of students along with various faculty and staff members are available to provide pastoral care and counseling to you in a time of need. If your needs require more time or expertise than we can provide, the dean of students can help connect you with a professional counselor.

Special Services & Conferences

Evangelical Anabaptist Symposium

Each year, during the fall semester, RBC hosts a symposium on the advancement of an engaged and evangelical Anabaptist faith. Students are welcomed to participate in the entire event as their schedule allows, and are expected to attend the Thursday and Friday evening sessions, in addition to normal chapel times.

Spiritual Enrichment Meetings

During the winter term we host our annual Spiritual Enrichment meetings. These sessions provide a focused opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to refresh, challenge, and convict us as we grow into the likeness of Jesus. All students need to attend these sessions, so please plan accordingly.

Missions Conference

We hold our annual Missions Conference during our spring semester. In this event you will be challenged to consider ways that you can be involved in reaching a lost world for Christ. You will also be able to discuss opportunities for short and long-term missions with representatives from many mission organizations. All students need to attend these meetings, so please plan accordingly.

Camp Day

Camp representatives come to campus during our winter term and spend one special chapel service sharing ways in which you can get involved in their programs. This is a great opportunity to find a ministry opening for the upcoming summer.

Community Standards

The college has developed the following community standards to create a nurturing campus environment. Our goals are to foster a dynamic faith in Jesus, encourage spiritual growth, and build godly character. We believe that our lives should reflect Christ, and ask that our students keep that in mind both on and off-campus. The Student Life Department of RBC has been given the responsibility of ensuring that the campus environment remains a nurturing, positive and safe place for all.

Community standards are in effect from the students’ time of arrival on campus until they vacate their rooms and leave campus at the end of their enrollment period.

Tobacco

Rosedale Bible College prohibits the use of tobacco products by its students both on and off campus. However, students actively trying to break a nicotine addiction should work with the dean of students to find a satisfactory plan to assist the student in helping to break that addiction.

Alcohol, & Drugs

Rosedale Bible College prohibits the non-medicinal use of drugs and alcohol, and, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by its students. This prohibition applies to behavior both on-campus and off-campus. The use of wine within the context of an officially-recognized Communion service is an exception to this policy.

Student participation in the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol will result in automatic dismissal. Participation in behavior that is not illegal, but prohibited at RBC—i.e., the non-medicinal use of drugs and alcohol—will result in disciplinary action decided upon by the Student Life Council. A decision to dismiss a student for violation of this policy must be ratified by the president of the college, or by joint action of the academic dean and dean of students in the absence of the president.

Rosedale Bible College will cooperate with local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies by providing information on the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol by its students. Students cited for a violation related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol must notify RBC within 48 hours of the incident.

Weapons

For the safety and security of our students and campus, we prohibit guns, ammunition, explosives (including fireworks), knives, martial arts weapons, paintball equipment (including ammo), and any other weapon. These items are not to be brought onto campus or stored in student vehicles. Multi-use tools, like the “Leatherman,” and small kitchen knives are permitted. Violation of this policy will lead to disciplinary action that may include confiscation of the weapon, up to a $100 fine, and/or other disciplinary action.

Damage

RBC is committed to providing quality facilities and equipment for the enjoyment of our campus community. Christian honesty and integrity make it your responsibility to report and pay for any damage that you may have caused either accidentally or otherwise. The resident director will have damage report forms for you to use.

Dating/Courtship

At times, students may enter into a dating/courtship relationship while at college. A relationship with someone of the opposite gender should be characterized by purity and mutual respect, and should not interfere with the couple’s spiritual and intellectual development. Also, since dating/courting affects the entire campus community, please respect your fellow students by following these guidelines as a minimum standard:

Please avoid exclusivity, such as regularly sitting together in class and chapel, and/or spending excessive time together alone.
Please avoid public displays of physical affection.

We request that you follow these Action Steps to assist in developing a healthy relationship:

Communicate with both sets of parents your intentions to begin a dating/courting relationship and communicate regularly with your parents throughout the process.
Seek counsel and accountability from a faculty member or student life staff member.
Incorporate prayer and Bible study into your relationship.
Proactively participate in group events.
Stay connected with a broad group of people.
Maintain high moral standards.
Spend time with each other in public areas, avoiding “the appearance of evil” and the temptations associated with spending time in private.

We reserve the right to help students manage their relationship if it is marked by immaturity, excessive time alone, and physical contact; if it negatively impacts student life; or if there are other factors that merit intervention.

Personal Computers

We invite you to bring your computer along with you to campus to aid you in your school work. While computers are a profound blessing, they can also serve as a distraction to relationship-building and to completing academic requirements. In addition, computers can also pose temptations. The following guidelines have been established to help students:

Illegally downloaded music must be deleted before coming to campus.
Accessories used only for gaming purposes are not to be brought to campus.
Storage, downloading or use of pornography is not permitted.
Laptop computer users will need to install RBC’s internet tracking software before connecting to the college’s network.
Inter-student computer networking (including wireless) is not permitted on campus.

Using computers in a way that violates RBC policies will jeopardize your computer privileges. If you find yourself struggling with these policies, please talk with someone on the student life staff. We want to help you comply with our standards.

Entertainment and Media

A variety of wholesome entertainment options are available both on campus and in the area. Students are encouraged to participate in activities that are uplifting and do not detract from their spiritual and intellectual growth. We understand that Christians hold many different views on involvement with media and entertainment. In order to provide an atmosphere of harmony and a campus environment conducive to spiritual growth and maturity, the following guidelines have been established concerning media and entertainment.

Entertainment

For the sake of our Christian witness and spiritual wellbeing, students are to refrain from participation in:

Gambling in any form.
Reading or viewing obscene, pornographic, or excessively violent material.
Social dancing.
Patronizing pubs, bars, night clubs, and similar establishments.

Music

Music as creative expression should be celebrated and enjoyed, and can be a powerful tool for praising God. Historically, music has always played an important part in the Rosedale experience, both formally and informally. Rosedale students are encouraged to enjoy everything positive that music has to offer.

Since people have profoundly different musical preferences, only Christian or instrumental music may be played audibly, at low volume, on campus (exceptions may be made for certain RBC-sponsored social events). Elsewhere on campus students are to use headphones when listening to music. The guiding principle is that students should not assume that others wish to hear their music of choice.

Like any creative expression, music can also be corrupted. Music that includes vile language, graphic sexual or violent imagery, and sexual innuendo is not permitted while enrolled at RBC, either on or off-campus. Also, music groups that are characterized by lyrics and/or messages that are in conflict with Christian principles are not permitted on campus. RBC reserves the right to require students to remove unacceptable music from the campus.

While RBC is in session students may only attend concerts that are Christian or are instrumental in nature.

Movies

Engaging our culture through the media creates a challenge for the Christian community. Hollywood is having a tremendous impact on the shaping of our culture by advocating a secular worldview that often runs contrary to Christian faith. At RBC we want to provide tools that empower students to develop godly viewing strategies and critical analysis skills. In order to accomplish this the Student Life Department will occasionally show a movie of some redeeming social or spiritual value and then provide a forum for analyzing and discussing it. From time to time, prescreened movies may also be shown on campus for entertainment purposes during RBC-sponsored social events.

In the broader context, we believe that asking you not to attend the cinema or to watch movies on campus will help us maintain a positive and nurturing campus environment with limited media influence. This policy also frees up additional time for study, spiritual growth and interactive group activities. We understand that there may be occasions when you will have the opportunity to watch a movie in someone’s home or in another setting. On these occasions it is our expectation that the film does not violate Christian principles and that the head of the household or one of the parents has given his or her blessing to the movie being viewed. Those choosing to disregard this guideline will be disciplined in accordance with the infraction.

Exceptions: RBC library DVDs may be watched on personal computers and in the library. Groups wanting to watch a library movie may request that one be shown in a classroom. Requests should be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students in advance of the desired show time.

In cases where the Student Life Department deems a particular film to have significant redeeming value, students may be permitted to see it in the theater.

Video Games

RBC is a place to build deep relationships with God and other people. Spending disproportionate amounts of time gaming can seriously hinders relationship-building and the learning process. RBC has chosen not to allow game boxes and other similar gaming devices on campus. Computer equipment designed solely for gaming should not be brought to campus.

Television

Again, in the interest of time management and to limit the negative influence of media on campus, RBC does not provide TVs for regular student viewing. Also, televisions, VCRs, and DVD players are not to be brought to campus by students (computer DVD drives are acceptable).

Occasionally RBC will show sporting events on campus that are deemed of interest to a large cross-section of our students. As a general rule we will show the Super Bowl, the Elite 8 of the March Madness college basketball tournament, and a few key college football games of interest.

Summer and Semester Breaks

While you are not required to follow the particular student handbook guidelines while on semester break or during the summer, your status as a student may be jeopardized if your conduct during this time away violates biblical absolutes and principles. During semester breaks RBC may ask students who represent the college through participation in Chorale or other RBC-sponsored groups or events to follow some or all of the RBC community standards.

Dress Standards

As a Christian institution, RBC is committed to promoting the principles of modesty, propriety, and decorum in its dress standards. Since our students come from various backgrounds with differing understandings of what constitutes appropriate dress, the following guidelines have been established to ensure a campus environment that is acceptable and comfortable across our student constituency. We affirm the authority of parents and home congregations, and students are encouraged to also abide by the standards of their home or church where applicable. RBC student life staff will take necessary corrective action with students who fail to adequately follow these dress guidelines.

Casual Dress Standard (after class hours):

Men:

Hair: Should be relatively short (i.e. your ears and collar should not be completely covered). Hair should not be dyed an unnatural color and styles like Mohawks and ponytails should be avoided.

Pants/Shorts: Shorts should come to around the top of the knee. Pants or shorts should be comfortably loose fitting and underwear should not be exposed. When leaning forward or stretching, the back or stomach should remain covered. Pants should not have holes or tears.

Shirts: Shirts, including gym attire, need to have sleeves. See-through material is to be avoided. Clothing should not have words or images that run counter to Christian principles.

Footwear is to be worn when inside all buildings—dorms excluded.

Women:

Hair: Hair should not be dyed an unnatural color and should not be styled in exotic fashion (i.e. spiked).

Pants/shorts: Shorts should come to around the top of the knee. Please avoid:

Tight-fitting pants or shorts.
Exposed button flies.
Pants with holes or tears.
Low-riders that allow the stomach to be exposed.
Pants that allow your back or underwear to show when you raise your hands above your shoulders or lean forward.

Dresses/skirts: Slits should not extend above the top of the knee. Dresses and skirts should cover the knee when sitting.

Shirts/blouses need to have sleeves. Avoid low-cut necklines and shirts that allow skin to show when raising your arms. No cleavage should be exposed while in any position. Material is not to be sheer or see-through. Clothing should not have words or images that are at variance with Christian principles.

The use of make-up and other cosmetics should complement one’s appearance while not obviously drawing attention to it.

Footwear is to be worn when inside all buildings—dorms excluded.

Jewelry and Tattooing:

RBC affirms the Bible’s teaching that beauty does not come from outward adornment of the body, but from the heart. In recognition of this and because we are committed to providing an atmosphere where people from diverse backgrounds are comfortable with our standards, we have chosen to limit the wearing of jewelry to the following:

Wedding bands.
Engagement rings.
Promise ring (a ring that represents a commitment to sexual purity).

While enrolled at RBC students may not engage in any body piercing or tattooing. Students who arrive on campus with a tattoo should attempt to dress in such a way as to cover the tattoo when in public.





	S T U D E N T H A N D B O O K Chapter 5: Living in Community This chapter is designed to be a window into daily life at Rosedale so that you know what to expect when you arrive on campus. We are committed to being a place where students can step out of their normal routines for a time of spiritual and intellectual growth. We have crafted our community standards to help achieve that objective. The primary rule that we have is that we love one another. Everything we do and say should be characterized by our love for Christ and others. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:8). Private Worship You are encouraged to spend regular time in private worship, Bible reading, and prayer. Dorm living often creates a challenge for students to find time to be alone with Jesus, so try to be proactive: make a schedule with your roommate for time alone in the room, go to the prayer rooms located around campus, or spend time alone with God outdoors. Chapel Chapel is an opportunity for you to worship with the RBC family. Chapel is scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and may include faculty addresses, spiritual formation services, music and worship, and guest speakers. Chapel time on Tuesdays is set aside for smaller assigned prayer groups. We do not have a regularly scheduled chapel service on Thursdays, with the exception of special conferences and events. We would invite you to spend this chapel period in a time of private prayer and worship. As an RBC student, you will be expected to regularly attend our chapel services. Resident students will need to sign-in at the beginning of each service. We understand that there will be times when you will need to miss a service, and you will be able to take four chapel skips per semester and two during the winter term without penalty. Additional skips will result in a fine or other disciplinary action. Sunday Observance We believe that Sunday is a special day for worship, rest, and rejuvenation. You are expected to attend two Sunday services. Students need to attend a local church in the morning. Students are free to choose a local church for the evening service or attend the evening service on campus. We also recognize that there is a broad range of understanding about how Christians should observe Sunday. At RBC we ask students to maintain a quiet atmosphere on campus by observing a 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. quiet time in the dorms and not doing unnecessary shopping on Sundays. Counseling From time to time, students require assistance to work through personal issues in their lives. The dean of students along with various faculty and staff members are available to provide pastoral care and counseling to you in a time of need. If your needs require more time or expertise than we can provide, the dean of students can help connect you with a professional counselor. Special Services & Conferences Evangelical Anabaptist Symposium Each year, during the fall semester, RBC hosts a symposium on the advancement of an engaged and evangelical Anabaptist faith. Students are welcomed to participate in the entire event as their schedule allows, and are expected to attend the Thursday and Friday evening sessions, in addition to normal chapel times. Spiritual Enrichment Meetings During the winter term we host our annual Spiritual Enrichment meetings. These sessions provide a focused opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to refresh, challenge, and convict us as we grow into the likeness of Jesus. All students need to attend these sessions, so please plan accordingly. Missions Conference We hold our annual Missions Conference during our spring semester. In this event you will be challenged to consider ways that you can be involved in reaching a lost world for Christ. You will also be able to discuss opportunities for short and long-term missions with representatives from many mission organizations. All students need to attend these meetings, so please plan accordingly. Camp Day Camp representatives come to campus during our winter term and spend one special chapel service sharing ways in which you can get involved in their programs. This is a great opportunity to find a ministry opening for the upcoming summer. Community Standards The college has developed the following community standards to create a nurturing campus environment. Our goals are to foster a dynamic faith in Jesus, encourage spiritual growth, and build godly character. We believe that our lives should reflect Christ, and ask that our students keep that in mind both on and off-campus. The Student Life Department of RBC has been given the responsibility of ensuring that the campus environment remains a nurturing, positive and safe place for all. Community standards are in effect from the students’ time of arrival on campus until they vacate their rooms and leave campus at the end of their enrollment period. Tobacco Rosedale Bible College prohibits the use of tobacco products by its students both on and off campus. However, students actively trying to break a nicotine addiction should work with the dean of students to find a satisfactory plan to assist the student in helping to break that addiction. Alcohol, & Drugs Rosedale Bible College prohibits the non-medicinal use of drugs and alcohol, and, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by its students. This prohibition applies to behavior both on-campus and off-campus. The use of wine within the context of an officially-recognized Communion service is an exception to this policy. Student participation in the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol will result in automatic dismissal. Participation in behavior that is not illegal, but prohibited at RBC—i.e., the non-medicinal use of drugs and alcohol—will result in disciplinary action decided upon by the Student Life Council. A decision to dismiss a student for violation of this policy must be ratified by the president of the college, or by joint action of the academic dean and dean of students in the absence of the president. Rosedale Bible College will cooperate with local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies by providing information on the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol by its students. Students cited for a violation related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol must notify RBC within 48 hours of the incident. Weapons For the safety and security of our students and campus, we prohibit guns, ammunition, explosives (including fireworks), knives, martial arts weapons, paintball equipment (including ammo), and any other weapon. These items are not to be brought onto campus or stored in student vehicles. Multi-use tools, like the “Leatherman,” and small kitchen knives are permitted. Violation of this policy will lead to disciplinary action that may include confiscation of the weapon, up to a $100 fine, and/or other disciplinary action. Damage RBC is committed to providing quality facilities and equipment for the enjoyment of our campus community. Christian honesty and integrity make it your responsibility to report and pay for any damage that you may have caused either accidentally or otherwise. The resident director will have damage report forms for you to use. Dating/Courtship At times, students may enter into a dating/courtship relationship while at college. A relationship with someone of the opposite gender should be characterized by purity and mutual respect, and should not interfere with the couple’s spiritual and intellectual development. Also, since dating/courting affects the entire campus community, please respect your fellow students by following these guidelines as a minimum standard: Please avoid exclusivity, such as regularly sitting together in class and chapel, and/or spending excessive time together alone. Please avoid public displays of physical affection. We request that you follow these Action Steps to assist in developing a healthy relationship: Communicate with both sets of parents your intentions to begin a dating/courting relationship and communicate regularly with your parents throughout the process. Seek counsel and accountability from a faculty member or student life staff member. Incorporate prayer and Bible study into your relationship. Proactively participate in group events. Stay connected with a broad group of people. Maintain high moral standards. Spend time with each other in public areas, avoiding “the appearance of evil” and the temptations associated with spending time in private. We reserve the right to help students manage their relationship if it is marked by immaturity, excessive time alone, and physical contact; if it negatively impacts student life; or if there are other factors that merit intervention. Personal Computers We invite you to bring your computer along with you to campus to aid you in your school work. While computers are a profound blessing, they can also serve as a distraction to relationship-building and to completing academic requirements. In addition, computers can also pose temptations. The following guidelines have been established to help students: Illegally downloaded music must be deleted before coming to campus. Accessories used only for gaming purposes are not to be brought to campus. Storage, downloading or use of pornography is not permitted. Laptop computer users will need to install RBC’s internet tracking software before connecting to the college’s network. Inter-student computer networking (including wireless) is not permitted on campus. Using computers in a way that violates RBC policies will jeopardize your computer privileges. If you find yourself struggling with these policies, please talk with someone on the student life staff. We want to help you comply with our standards. Entertainment and Media A variety of wholesome entertainment options are available both on campus and in the area. Students are encouraged to participate in activities that are uplifting and do not detract from their spiritual and intellectual growth. We understand that Christians hold many different views on involvement with media and entertainment. In order to provide an atmosphere of harmony and a campus environment conducive to spiritual growth and maturity, the following guidelines have been established concerning media and entertainment. Entertainment For the sake of our Christian witness and spiritual wellbeing, students are to refrain from participation in: Gambling in any form. Reading or viewing obscene, pornographic, or excessively violent material. Social dancing. Patronizing pubs, bars, night clubs, and similar establishments. Music Music as creative expression should be celebrated and enjoyed, and can be a powerful tool for praising God. Historically, music has always played an important part in the Rosedale experience, both formally and informally. Rosedale students are encouraged to enjoy everything positive that music has to offer. Since people have profoundly different musical preferences, only Christian or instrumental music may be played audibly, at low volume, on campus (exceptions may be made for certain RBC-sponsored social events). Elsewhere on campus students are to use headphones when listening to music. The guiding principle is that students should not assume that others wish to hear their music of choice. Like any creative expression, music can also be corrupted. Music that includes vile language, graphic sexual or violent imagery, and sexual innuendo is not permitted while enrolled at RBC, either on or off-campus. Also, music groups that are characterized by lyrics and/or messages that are in conflict with Christian principles are not permitted on campus. RBC reserves the right to require students to remove unacceptable music from the campus. While RBC is in session students may only attend concerts that are Christian or are instrumental in nature. Movies Engaging our culture through the media creates a challenge for the Christian community. Hollywood is having a tremendous impact on the shaping of our culture by advocating a secular worldview that often runs contrary to Christian faith. At RBC we want to provide tools that empower students to develop godly viewing strategies and critical analysis skills. In order to accomplish this the Student Life Department will occasionally show a movie of some redeeming social or spiritual value and then provide a forum for analyzing and discussing it. From time to time, prescreened movies may also be shown on campus for entertainment purposes during RBC-sponsored social events. In the broader context, we believe that asking you not to attend the cinema or to watch movies on campus will help us maintain a positive and nurturing campus environment with limited media influence. This policy also frees up additional time for study, spiritual growth and interactive group activities. We understand that there may be occasions when you will have the opportunity to watch a movie in someone’s home or in another setting. On these occasions it is our expectation that the film does not violate Christian principles and that the head of the household or one of the parents has given his or her blessing to the movie being viewed. Those choosing to disregard this guideline will be disciplined in accordance with the infraction. Exceptions: RBC library DVDs may be watched on personal computers and in the library. Groups wanting to watch a library movie may request that one be shown in a classroom. Requests should be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students in advance of the desired show time. In cases where the Student Life Department deems a particular film to have significant redeeming value, students may be permitted to see it in the theater. Video Games RBC is a place to build deep relationships with God and other people. Spending disproportionate amounts of time gaming can seriously hinders relationship-building and the learning process. RBC has chosen not to allow game boxes and other similar gaming devices on campus. Computer equipment designed solely for gaming should not be brought to campus. Television Again, in the interest of time management and to limit the negative influence of media on campus, RBC does not provide TVs for regular student viewing. Also, televisions, VCRs, and DVD players are not to be brought to campus by students (computer DVD drives are acceptable). Occasionally RBC will show sporting events on campus that are deemed of interest to a large cross-section of our students. As a general rule we will show the Super Bowl, the Elite 8 of the March Madness college basketball tournament, and a few key college football games of interest. Summer and Semester Breaks While you are not required to follow the particular student handbook guidelines while on semester break or during the summer, your status as a student may be jeopardized if your conduct during this time away violates biblical absolutes and principles. During semester breaks RBC may ask students who represent the college through participation in Chorale or other RBC-sponsored groups or events to follow some or all of the RBC community standards. Dress Standards As a Christian institution, RBC is committed to promoting the principles of modesty, propriety, and decorum in its dress standards. Since our students come from various backgrounds with differing understandings of what constitutes appropriate dress, the following guidelines have been established to ensure a campus environment that is acceptable and comfortable across our student constituency. We affirm the authority of parents and home congregations, and students are encouraged to also abide by the standards of their home or church where applicable. RBC student life staff will take necessary corrective action with students who fail to adequately follow these dress guidelines. Casual Dress Standard (after class hours): Men: Hair: Should be relatively short (i.e. your ears and collar should not be completely covered). Hair should not be dyed an unnatural color and styles like Mohawks and ponytails should be avoided. Pants/Shorts: Shorts should come to around the top of the knee. Pants or shorts should be comfortably loose fitting and underwear should not be exposed. When leaning forward or stretching, the back or stomach should remain covered. Pants should not have holes or tears. Shirts: Shirts, including gym attire, need to have sleeves. See-through material is to be avoided. Clothing should not have words or images that run counter to Christian principles. Footwear is to be worn when inside all buildings—dorms excluded. Women: Hair: Hair should not be dyed an unnatural color and should not be styled in exotic fashion (i.e. spiked). Pants/shorts: Shorts should come to around the top of the knee. Please avoid: Tight-fitting pants or shorts. Exposed button flies. Pants with holes or tears. Low-riders that allow the stomach to be exposed. Pants that allow your back or underwear to show when you raise your hands above your shoulders or lean forward. Dresses/skirts: Slits should not extend above the top of the knee. Dresses and skirts should cover the knee when sitting. Shirts/blouses need to have sleeves. Avoid low-cut necklines and shirts that allow skin to show when raising your arms. No cleavage should be exposed while in any position. Material is not to be sheer or see-through. Clothing should not have words or images that are at variance with Christian principles. The use of make-up and other cosmetics should complement one’s appearance while not obviously drawing attention to it. Footwear is to be worn when inside all buildings—dorms excluded. Jewelry and Tattooing: RBC affirms the Bible’s teaching that beauty does not come from outward adornment of the body, but from the heart. In recognition of this and because we are committed to providing an atmosphere where people from diverse backgrounds are comfortable with our standards, we have chosen to limit the wearing of jewelry to the following: Wedding bands. Engagement rings. Promise ring (a ring that represents a commitment to sexual purity). While enrolled at RBC students may not engage in any body piercing or tattooing. Students who arrive on campus with a tattoo should attempt to dress in such a way as to cover the tattoo when in public.