Student Handbook

The Student Handbook is issued to every admitted student. To obtain the current Handbook, write to the Office of Student Services at studentservices@nsbt.org.

What the Handbook holds

The Handbook has four sections. The first concerns NSBT in general, with some guidance concerning our commitments and identity. The second concerns online learning and the tools you will need to use to succeed. The third concerns academic policies and procedures. The fourth concerns expectations for members of this unique online community of learning.

Student code of conduct

The New School of Biblical Theology expects every student to act with the integrity, honesty, and respect befitting preparation for Christian ministry and leadership. Enrollment at NSBT carries the responsibility to uphold the following standards in all academic work, online interaction, and institutional communication. Each student affirms these standards upon enrollment and acknowledges them through the process described in the Student Handbook.

Students are expected to pursue their studies with academic integrity, submitting only their own work and citing all sources fully, as set out in the Academic Honesty Policy. They are expected to communicate respectfully and professionally with faculty, staff, and fellow students, and to observe accepted standards of online courtesy in every discussion, posting, and message. Communication that is insulting, demeaning, harassing, or targeting toward any individual or group, whether in the learning management system, in email, or in any other NSBT activity, is not permitted and will be removed and reported to the Academic Dean.

Students are expected to protect the confidentiality and privacy of fellow students and of institutional information, to treat instructional materials in Populi as copyrighted and not for distribution outside the NSBT classroom, and to complete their own coursework consistent with the Student Identity Verification Policy. Students are expected to refrain from participating in any NSBT activity while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances, and to conduct themselves free of discrimination and harassment consistent with the Non-discrimination Policy and the Sexual Harassment Policy.

Members of the NSBT community share responsibility for the integrity of the learning environment. Students, faculty, and staff are expected to report conduct that is detrimental to that environment to the Academic Dean. NSBT prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith or takes part in an inquiry, and any act of retaliation is itself a violation of this Code.

Consistent with its identity as a Christian community, NSBT approaches concerns about conduct in a spirit of restoration. Members are encouraged to address matters directly and redemptively, in keeping with the biblical pattern of loving correction, before a matter proceeds to formal discipline, except where the nature of the conduct makes that inappropriate.

When formal discipline is warranted, the Academic Dean determines the appropriate response in light of the nature and seriousness of the conduct. Depending on the circumstances, discipline may range from a warning, to a documented corrective plan, to probation, to suspension, to dismissal from the institution. Conduct that also violates civil or criminal law may carry legal consequences apart from institutional discipline, and a student’s accountability to civil authorities does not limit NSBT’s authority to address the same conduct under this Code. A student may appeal a disciplinary decision through the Grievance Procedure.

Ethics in online learning

Online learning presents special challenges when it comes to classroom behavior. Care is needed regarding the tone of postings and possible misinterpretation of messages. It is important that students and instructors alike observe standard rules of “Netiquette,” and that they practice cyber safety. Postings of any kind that are considered insulting, demeaning, offending, targeting, or harassing either of individual members of the community or of groups of persons in general are not permitted, and will be removed by Instructors and reported to the Academic Dean.

An online educational experience requires a degree of transparency and personal exposure as students share experiences and learn from one another. All work that is conducted through the NSBT LMS takes place behind password protected portals, but that cannot guarantee full confidentiality. Students and instructors alike are reminded that what transpires in a digital classroom ought to remain in that digital classroom. Rules of privacy include not sharing information with others who are not involved with NSBT except in cases where harm is threatened or has taken place. This rule is especially important when it comes to the safety of children in our world.

Conduct in online learning

In keeping with a call to a sober mind and sound judgment, NSBT forbids participation in any NSBT activity, such as email, posts, communications, video meetings, etc. when a person is under the influence by the use or consumption of alcohol, marijuana or other controlled substances. As the body of Christ, NSBT encourages members of its community to exercise personal responsibility and to set aside personal freedom and refrain from such usage. Any student violating this policy is subject to disciplinary action ranging from warning to expulsion.

Acknowledgment of receipt and agreement

This Handbook may be amended at any time by NSBT. Students will be notified of any changes in policies and will be bound by the new policies as they are posted.

Every student is responsible for reading this Student Handbook and for understanding and following the policies it contains. By enrolling at and continuing to attend the New School of Biblical Theology, a student agrees to abide by these policies as stated and as amended from time to time.

NSBT records each student’s acknowledgment electronically. Students confirm, prior to beginning their first course, that they have read and agree to this Handbook through the Populi learning management system or through institutional email, and NSBT retains that confirmation as the student’s record of agreement.