Online Community Expectations

General Behavioral Expectations for Online Students

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects integrity, respect, and responsibility, upholding the values and mission of the University at all times. Whether on or off campus, student behavior should remain above reproach, demonstrating a commitment to personal character and ethical standards that honor their affiliation with the University community.

• Disorderly or destructive actions, threatening behavior, intimidation, insubordination, abuse, sexual harassment, assault, racial intimidation, or other threatening behavior will be subject to disciplinary action.
• Clothing that distracts from the academic purpose or that would reflect values contrary to Biblical standards is not acceptable. Clothing should be modest so that it does not draw unnecessary attention to the wearer.
• In accordance with the University’s guidelines for student etiquette, disrespectful, disruptive, or inappropriate communication – whether in tone, language, or content – will not be tolerated.

Student Etiquette in Communication

All students are expected to communicate professionally and to abide by standards of personal communication and online network etiquette in all aspects of the academic program. These standards include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Courtesy. Being polite and using appropriate language at all times. In electronic communication, users may not send, or encourage others to send, discourteous or abusive messages. Remember that humor and satire are subject to misinterpretation.
2. Appropriate language. Vulgarity, profanity, obscenity, and other expressions that might be offensive to others are strictly prohibited, whether communicated verbally or in writing through phone, video conferencing, email, text, social media networks, or the University’s learning management system (LMS).
3. Consideration. Students should be mindful of their responsibility to avoid practices that may disrupt other students’ educational experience. This includes classroom behavior and posts to instructors and students in course discussion boards.
4. Academic Focus. All electronic communication should have an academic focus directly related to the overall goals of the course or program, or to the student’s experience at LeTourneau.
5. Responsibility. Students are responsible for all activity conducted through their University email account and are strictly prohibited from sharing their LETU password or allowing others to access their account.

Reporting Unacceptable Communication and Behavior

In a class setting, if a student does not comply with the behavior expectations or guidelines for student etiquette in communication, the instructor should issue a written warning. If negative behavior persists after being addressed by the instructor or rises to the level it requires additional attention, it should be reported by raising a Behavioral Concern flag in Starfish as soon as possible after the event. In ongoing or severe cases of unacceptable behavior, the student may be administratively withdrawn from the class. Students who are administratively withdrawn from a class may still be responsible for tuition and fees.

Students engaging in unacceptable behavior or inappropriate communication in public student areas, within the University LMS, or on social media sites, email, text, or phone conversations with students, faculty, or staff, should also receive a written warning and be reported through a Starfish Behavioral Concern flag as soon as possible after the event.

In ongoing or severe cases of unacceptable behavior, the case will be forwarded to the Dean of Students to determine whether further disciplinary action should be taken.

Disciplinary Responses

Students who are found to be in violation of the Behavioral Expectations for Online Students, Guidelines for Student Etiquette in Communication, or any University policy, may be placed on probation, suspension, or dismissal depending on the severity of the offense as determined by the Dean of Students. Other causes for dismissal include the disruption of the learning environment; dishonesty; endangering the welfare of other students; harassment of students, faculty or staff; and other evidence of disregard for the regulations of the University. Students will be notified in writing of any disciplinary action taken by the University.

Appeals

In the case of disciplinary action, the student may make a written appeal to the Vice President of Student Life within five working days after notification of the disciplinary action. Appeal letters should present clear and convincing evidence relating to at least one of the valid grounds for appeal.

Grounds for Appeal
• Procedural error that would significantly affect the outcome of the case
• New information that was not available at the time of the investigation that would significantly affect the outcome of the case
• Sanction imposed is grossly disproportionate with the violation

Not Grounds for Appeal
• Disagreement with findings
• Disagreement with sanctions

Honor Code

Students enrolled through online education must agree to and abide by the following Honor Code for Online Students:

“As a member of the LeTourneau University academic community, I pledge to maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. By enrolling in online courses at LeTourneau, I accept the following responsibilities:

• To foster a culture of honesty and trust. I understand that plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, or the facilitation of academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. All academic work I submit will abide by the LETU Academic Integrity Policy.
• To maintain the confidentiality and security of my LETU username and password, and any other access credentials provided to me. I will not share or allow others to use my credentials to access course materials, participate in class activities, or engage with University systems on my behalf. I accept full responsibility for any activity conducted under my account.
• Provide accurate, complete, and truthful information about my identity in all identify verification processes required by the University (e.g., exam proctoring through Respondus Monitor). I will not misrepresent myself or allow another individual to impersonate me in any academic activity or University transaction.”

Campus Community Expectations

Online students who apply for on-campus admission and choose to reside on the Longview campus at any time during their enrollment at LeTourneau will also be expected to abide by the Campus Community Expectations set forth in the Student Handbook and will be subject to disciplinary action described in the section titled “Discipline for Unacceptable Behavior.”