Judicial Affairs Philosophy, Mission, Outcomes & Goals

Philosophical Statement

The philosophy of Judicial Affairs is to provide learning that is distinctly Christian and holistic - an education where students develop and practice integrity, ethical behavior, and good citizenship. It is imperative to have policies, rules, and procedures established to afford students certain protected rights and to uphold and protect the educational mission of the University. Judicial Affairs seeks to balance redemption and accountability by considering the needs of the many with the educational and developmental needs of the one student who has violated a standard of conduct.

Mission Statement

The mission of Judicial Affairs is to foster learning, development and success for all students by enforcing the University's standards of conduct and community expectations with proactive student programming, individual student conversations, and educational sanctions.

Outcomes

a. Teach ethical behavior through the development of integrity and character.

b. Expose students to the central tenets of the Christian faith and encourage those students who are already Christians to deepen their Christian faith.

c. Teach relational skills by exposing students to the principles of Christian love and be able to establish and enact personal and professional relationships based on these principles.

d. Foster intellectual competence by supplementing the curriculum with encouragement to focus on academic goals.

e. Foster leadership skills by inspiring students to lead lives marked by moral courage and the ability to influence others for good.

f. Encourage students to live an integrated life by promoting the health of mind, body, and spirit by making healthy lifestyle choices.

g. Encourage students to learn and incorporate a healthy perspective on life; that they know the value of living a life of hope; and to believe that their lives can make a difference through service to their local, national, and international communities.

h. Encourage students to think about their God given strengths and how their strengths impact God's call on their lives.

Goals

a. Judicial Affairs has developed its mission and goals and will implement, disseminate, interpret and review annually to ensure that the judicial affairs function operates as an integral part of the Baylor University mission.

b. Judicial Affairs will ensure that the Student Policies & Procedures are disseminated, communicated, interpreted, enforced and reviewed annually.

c. Judicial Affairs will follow published polices to ensure that each student receives the process that is due and the mission of Baylor University is also protected and upheld.

d. Judicial Affairs will respond accordingly to all referrals of alleged student misconduct in a fair, objective and reasonable manner by following the published policies.

e. Judicial Affairs will encourage ownership for Baylor University's governance by partnering with faculty, staff, administration, students, and other university stakeholders to promote a shared responsibility for student success and to assist with locating, interpreting and applying Baylor's standards of conduct and laws applicable to students.

f. Judicial Affairs will expose students to the central tenets of the Christian faith by engaging students in conversations about integrity, life style choices, community, relationships, academic goals, strengths and calling, diversity, and life as a stewardship.

g. Judicial Affairs will provide learning and developmental opportunities for students to serve effectively on the Student Conduct Board.

h. The Judicial Affairs office will seek to prevent violations of Baylor's standards of conduct by providing proactive information to students and participating in proactive informative programs.

i. Judicial Affairs will use individual meetings and meaningful conversation with students as a primary means to reduce violations of Baylor's standards of conduct and for student learning, growth and development.

j. Judicial Affairs will require educational sanctions that provide learning and development for students who violate Baylor's standards of conduct. Examples of educational sanctions include: the Judicial Affairs Ropes Course, the Support Advisor program, Alcohol & Drug education programs, community service hours and writing & research assignments. Educational sanctions are intended to reduce violations and be enlightening and remedial as opposed to punitive.

The Judicial Affairs staff adheres to Baylor's Code of Ethics and Personal Conduct.

Modified 9/6/08, 1/20/09, 11/3/09, 9/28/11, 6/13/18