Policies and Procedures

The Emergency Procedures Manual located below outlines appropriate responses to many different emergency and safety issues. It is recommended for all staff and students to read the following procedures in order to familiarize them in the event of an emergency. Remember, in the event of any on-campus emergency; dial 911, then ext. 711 or 745-0560.

Emergency Procedures Manual 

 The Building Access Policy outlines how Kuyper College provides a secure yet accessible environment for all members of its community. We aim to protect personal safety and property by securing our facilities with a combination of mechanical and electronic access control systems. Please read and review this policy for any information regarding building access and in regards to access requests.

Building Access Policy 

 Kuyper College takes student safety very seriously. The following policy has been developed to assist students residing in campus housing as well as students who live in off-campus apartments leased by the college for students. This policy is in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 2008.

At the beginning of each academic year, residential students are asked to provide emergency contact information in the event they are reported missing while enrolled at Kuyper College. This information is kept in Student Services and is updated annually.

Staff members, faculty members or students suspecting a student is a missing person should report their concerns to Campus Safety. Every report made to Campus Safety will be followed up and immediately investigated. For the purpose of this policy, a student may be considered a “missing person” if the student’s absence is contrary to his/her usual pattern of behavior and/or unusual circumstances may have caused the absence. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to suspicion of foul play, expressed suicidal thoughts, drug involvement, or threat to life.

 

Procedure for designation of emergency contact information

•  Students age 18 and older and emancipated minors: Students will be given the opportunity at orientation to designate an individual(s) to be contacted by the college no more than 24 hours after the time that student is determined to be missing in accordance with the policy set forth. The missing student’s designation will remain in effect until revoked by the student or law enforcement personnel. 
• Students under the age of 18: In the event that a non-emancipated student is determined to be missing in accordance with the policy set forth, Kuyper College Campus Safety is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian within 24 hours of the student being declared missing in accordance with the policy.

Notification procedure for missing person

• Any individual enrolled in classes or employed by the college having information that a residential student may be a missing person must notify Campus Safety immediately. Note: In order to avoid confusion, if an off-campus student is believed to be missing, the reporting person should immediately notify local law enforcement. Campus Safety will assist local law enforcement with these investigations as requested. 
• Campus Safety will gather all essential information about the missing student from the reporting person and from the student’s closest friends and acquaintances. Information gathered will include but not be limited to the following: 
  • Physical description 
  • Description of clothes student was last seen wearing 
  • Where the student might be 
  • Who the student might be with 
  • Description of student vehicle 
  • Information about the mental state of the student 
  • Up-to-date photo 
  • Work contact information 
   
• Appropriate campus staff and faculty will be notified to aid in the search for the student. 
• If Campus Safety is unsuccessful in locating the student, the Campus Safety Office will file a missing persons report with local law enforcement. Local law enforcement will take charge of the investigation. 
• No later than 24 hours after determining that a student is missing, the director of Physical Plant will notify the emergency contact (for students 18 and over) and the parent/guardian (for students under the age of 18).

Campus communication about missing student(s) 

• All communication involving a missing student should be communicated by law enforcement. 
• All inquiries to the college regarding a missing student will be referred to law enforcement officials.
• All information provided to the general public will be done in consultation with local law enforcement to ensure that communication does not hinder ongoing law enforcement investigation.
   

Kuyper College is a learning community rooted in the Reformed faith and holding to a biblical worldview. We believe God is sovereign over every aspect of our life, and so we strive to live the whole of life consciously before him. This view of life is foundational to everything we do in Student Services.

Our staff engage in what we describe as a "ministry of presence,” greeting and interacting with students informally. We celebrate student accomplishments and monitor possible problem areas, attempting to address issues before they become problems. Our effective and committed Student Services staff strive to be respected and liked, rather than feared. We seek to communicate Christ’s love to each of our students. Consequences for policy infractions are imposed in the spirit of individual and communal student learning and restoration. We do not engage in consequences for the sake of consequences.

At Kuyper College discipline serves two main goals: (1) teach and redirect students and (2) facilitate a safe, supportive, Christ-honoring learning community. We seek to encourage responsible Christ-honoring behavior and provide all students and staff with a satisfying Christian learning environment.

 

Restorative Confession Policy

At times, a student may find him or herself in violation of a biblical or college guideline and may wish to seek help in dealing with said violation. If this student voluntarily comes forward to share such violations with Student Services personnel, is repentant, and can demonstrate a commitment to change, the college will seek to restore the student with minimal disciplinary action. This restorative focus does not address grievous violations in which suspension or dismissal is deemed the best way to restore community and the individual.

 

Restorative Discipline Policy

Restorative discipline is a method of thinking about infractions and our response to infractions. Restorative discipline focuses on the harm caused by the infraction, on repairing the harm, and on reducing future harm by addressing and putting in place preventive measures to deter future violations. Restorative discipline requires the offender(s) to take responsibility for their actions and for the harm they have caused. It requires the offender to make a commitment to change his or her behavior. Restorative discipline seeks restoration for victims, reimbursement by offenders, consequences that address unwanted behavior(s), and reintegration of both victims and offenders back into our community. 

Code of Conduct 

 Kuyper College utilizes network video monitoring in order to provide a secure environment for members of its community. Video monitoring for security purposes will be conducted in a professional, ethical, and legal manner, consistent with all existing College policies and limited to locations that do not violate the reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by Michigan Criminal Code section 750.539.

Video Monitoring Policy