Residential Life at SAGU
Student Relationships
DATING
Students are encouraged to follow the teachings of the Word of God when dating so that their conduct does not bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. Students are not permitted to date non-Christians while enrolled at Southwestern. Students are warned against any practices which might be interpreted as stalking or sexual harassment.
ENGAGEMENTS AND MARRIAGE
Hasty engagements and marriages are discouraged. Students contemplating marriage are required to participate in the Engaged & Pre-engaged Seminars. Students are NOT permitted to marry during a school term without written permission from the Vice President for Student Services.
Married students should exercise all caution to protect their family relationships. Discipline, and character are important to have while facing the rigorous challenges of higher education.
DIVORCED STUDENT GUIDELINES
Each student should be able to properly evaluate his/her conduct in light of his/her personal commitment to Jesus Christ; however, the possibility of mitigating circumstances, such as different interpretations as to standards by different congregations, has prompted the following standards of conduct for Southwestern. Failure to adhere to the standards may result in the student being terminated from the University.
Persons divorced but not remarried and whose former spouse is still alive, may be admitted only under the following conditions:
- The divorce must have been legally finalized for at least three months prior to admission.
- The applicant must agree to preregistration counseling with the Vice President for Student Services or the Dean of Students and to reside off-campus if required. The decision rendered concerning each case will be based upon the facts found in each individual case.
- Dating fellow students is prohibited without the consent of the Vice President for Student Services and the parents.
- Persons who are separated from their spouses are not permitted to date.
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION (PDA)
Students have a right to know what their school considers appropriate behavior in their dating relationships. The following standard of conduct has been adopted and will be applied and enforced. It is expected that students will demonstrate public and private behavior in their dating and friendships that is glorifying to God and in keeping with a Christian testimony. They need to be sensitive to those around them and should not conduct themselves in an offensive or inappropriate fashion.
SAGU strongly disapproves of private visitations by opposite gender students in either party’s home. (See Community Standards)
The university acknowledges that couples will have times when they are alone as well as times when they are with others. Consequently, there are two appropriate arenas of behavior in dating relationships:
PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
Public behavior is that behavior with the opposite sex that is considered appropriate in places understood to be public and in places occupied, open to and in full view of others.
(Note: Apart from a student’s dorm room, the entire campus at Southwestern Assemblies of God University is considered public.)
The following is considered appropriate public behavior by couples at SAGU:
1. Sitting together
2. Holding hands
3. A woman taking the arm of her date, hugging
4. A discrete, brief “good-night “ kiss
The following is considered inappropriate public behavior by couples at SAGU:
1. Leaning or lying on each other
2. Petting, fondling or caressing each other
3. Extended periods of kissing
4. Body massages
PRIVATE BEHAVIOR
Private behavior is that behavior with the opposite sex that is considered appropriate in places not designated as public or commonly understood as public. Places that are private in character and nature –times when a couple is alone, not in the presence of another person or couple, away from others.
It is understood and recognized that private behavior will not be governed by the same guidelines as public behavior. At the same time however, it is expected that Christian couples will always conduct themselves in a way that avoids undue temptation and is glorifying to God. In light of that, the following things will be considered inappropriate private behavior for couples at SAGU:
1. Lying on each other
2. Petting, fondling or caressing each other
3. Extended periods of heavy kissing
4. Visiting in each other’s quarters
5. Sexual relations of any kind or degree outside of marriage are strictly forbidden.
6. Body massages
NOTE: The Vice President for Student Services, the Dean of Students, Dorm Pastors, Resident Assistants, Faculty, Staff, and Administrative Personnel have the authority to interpret, apply and enforce these guidelines. Students who violate them may be reported to Administrative Personnel, Staff, Faculty, Resident Assistants, Dorm Pastors, the Dean of Students, and the Vice President for Student Services who may initiate disciplinary action.