Student Handbook: General Policies

General Policies

The following examples of violations of the Biola Community Standards are not exhaustive but are intended to give a student an idea of the types of behaviors that may result in disciplinary action:

1.    Violation of published University policies, rules, or regulations. Published University policies, rules, or regulations include:


2.    Violation of Federal, State, or local law (see “Violation of Law”).

3.    Dishonesty in any form, including but not limited to: plagiarism, cheating on assignments or examinations, knowingly furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, records, or identification cards. See the policy statement on “Academic Integrity” for more information.

4.    Inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to:

  • a.    Drunkenness, disorderly, lewd or indecent behavior;
  • b.    Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, and other University activities, including its public-service functions on or off campus, or other authorized non-University activities when the activity occurs on University premises;
  • c.    Actions, language, or technological communication that constitute unlawful harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, or hate violence directed toward a member of the Biola faculty, staff, student body, or toward a visitor to the campus;
  • d.    Unnecessary or loud noise, particularly between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am (also a violation of La Mirada city ordinances).

5.    Promotion, distribution, sale, possession, or use of alcohol or narcotics or other controlled substances on- or off-campus regardless of the student‘s age. This will include drug paraphernalia, the use or collection of non-alcoholic beers on campus and collections of containers used for the delivery or storage of alcohol beverages. See the policy statement on “Alcohol and Other Drugs” for more information.

6.    Gambling, betting, or any lotteries, games, or raffles that require the staking or risk of money or objects of value. A person engages in gambling if s/he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his/her control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that s/he or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.

  • a.    No displays of any kind that promote or encourage gambling or betting are permitted. Examples include casino or betting parlor advertisements or clothing.

7.    Failure to comply with written or verbal directives of University officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties, and/or failure to provide identification to a University official upon request.

8.    Authorizing your student ID card to be swiped by another individual and/or swiping a student ID card other than your own.

9.    Soliciting or advertising without prior approval from the Office of Student Development or another appropriate University office.  See the policy statement on “Advertising and Posting” for more information.

10.    Sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination. See the policy statements on “Discrimination & Sexual Harassment,” and “Sexual Assault” for more information.

11.    Sexual activity outside of a marriage between husband and wife, including but not limited to, premarital, extramarital or homosexual conduct. See the policy statement on “Sexuality & Relationships” for more information.

  • a.    Pregnancies that occur outside of a marriage, while at Biola, are in violation of University standards. However, the University is committed to supporting both the father and mother of the unborn child as they consider their actions and experience the forgiveness that comes when Luke 17:3-4 and 1 John 1:9 are practiced by the believer. See the policy statement on “Sexuality & Relationships” for more information.

12.    Exhibition, possession, or distribution of material or representations deemed to be obscene or contrary to the moral standards and/or mission of the University, including, but not limited to, pornography. Further, the use of institutional or personal computers for the viewing, transmission, retrieval and/or storage of such material is a violation of University community standards and will result in disciplinary action. See the policy statement on “Sexuality & Relationships” for more information.

13.    Smoking on or off campus; possession or use of any tobacco products (e.g. cigarettes, snuff, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco). See the policy statement on “Alcohol & Tobacco” for more information.

14.    Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization.  See the policy statement on “Hazing” for more information.

15.    Participation in student organizations not recognized by the University.

16.    Possession and/or use of any types of weapons, including but not limited to: firearms, air and spear guns, knives, martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, swords, paint pellet guns, batons, clubs, tasers, stun guns, and explosives of any type.

  • a. It is a felony to possess firearms on campus.
  • b. It is a misdemeanor (PC 626.10) to bring or possess a less lethal weapon or stun gun upon the grounds of a college or university.
  • c. All individuals in possession of self-defense items must comply with applicable California State law regarding training and permit to use.

17.    Unauthorized entry to or use of University premises or property and/or unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any University premises.

18.    Attempted or actual theft of, and/or damage to, property of the University or property of a member of the University community or other personal or public property. 

  • a.    This includes vandalism, disrespect, destruction, or defacement of University property.
  • b.    The cost of repairs for damaged University facilities will be the responsibility of the student or group using them.

19.    Unauthorized access, theft or other abuse of technology and computers, including but not limited to:

  • a.    Unauthorized entry into a file to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose;
  • b.    Unauthorized transfer of a file;
  • c.    Unauthorized use of another individual's identification and password;
  • d.    Interference with the work of another student, faculty member, or University official.
  • e.    Illegal uploading or downloading and/or use of copyrighted material, including but not limited to copyrighted music, television broadcasts, or motion pictures.
  • See the policy statement on “Technology” for more information.

20.    Misuse of the disciplinary procedures, including but not limited to:

  • a.    Falsely reporting misconduct knowingly and with intent to harm.
  • b.    Failure to respond to the summons of a disciplinary body or University official.
  • c.    Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a disciplinary body.
  • d.    Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a disciplinary proceeding.
  • e.    Attempting to discourage an individual‘s proper participation in, or use of, the disciplinary system.
  • f.    Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a disciplinary body prior to, and/or during the course of, the disciplinary proceeding.
  • g.    Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a disciplinary body prior to, during, and/or after a disciplinary proceeding.
  • h.    Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by a disciplinary body.

21.    Tampering with, unlawfully activating, or removing fire equipment is a misdemeanor and subject to fines or time in jail. These include automatic door closers, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms. Violating state and local fire code, and offenses such as pulling of fire alarms, and propping open fire doors (except in case of emergency), are subject to fines or other sanctions.

22.    Use of skateboards/rollerblades/rollerskates and other similar devices on campus.

23.    Burning candles or incense without special permission from the Office of Campus Safety or member of the Residence Life staff.

24.    Possession of fireworks is against campus policy and is also a violation of city ordinances.