Employee Handbook
CHAPTER THREE - PBA COMMUNITY VALUES, COMMITMENT, AND CONDUCT
Diversity Statement
Community Values
Values shape the actions of our daily lives and common core values of our PBA family
are crucial to realizing our shared vision. Consistently keeping our common values
before us encourages unity, coherence, and cohesiveness—essential to our successful
movement toward our mission. Therefore, we commit ourselves to the following five
pillars which make up our community values system:
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Academic Integrity: Palm Beach Atlantic University values a campus community that encourages personal
growth and academic development in an atmosphere of positive Christian influence.
We affirm the necessity of academic standards of conduct that allow students and faculty
to live and study together. These values can be violated by academic dishonesty and
fraud.
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Property and the Environment: Palm Beach Atlantic University values the rights and privileges of owning and using
property, both personal and university, and the benefits of the preservation and maintenance
of property and of our natural resources. In our stewardship of property, we recognize
accountability for our action to God, to each other, and to the future of the Palm
Beach Atlantic University community.
- Respect for Community: Palm Beach Atlantic University values our privileges and responsibilities as members
of the University community and as citizens of the community beyond the campus. We
value community standards of conduct and the fair administration of standards, including
University policies and municipal, state or federal laws.
- Self-discipline: Palm Beach Atlantic University values personal responsibility and recognizes each
individual’s need for physical, intellectual, spiritual, social and emotional wholeness.
We value the full development of every person in terms of a confident and constructive
self-image, a commitment to self-discipline, and responsible self-expression.
- Worth of the Individual: Palm Beach Atlantic University values the intrinsic worth of every individual in
the University community. Our respect for other individuals includes an appreciation
of varying cultural backgrounds, an understanding of different attitudes and opinions,
and an awareness of the consequences of actions on the broader University community.
Focusing on these five core values requires a strong commitment from our whole community
and helps in accomplishing our commitment to “Enlightening Minds, Enriching Souls,
Extending Hands.”
Commitment
As referenced in the “Guiding Principles” in the previous section, Palm Beach Atlantic
University was founded under the providence of God with the conviction that there
is a need for a University in this community that will expand the minds, develop the
moral character, and enrich the spiritual lives of all the people who may come within
the orbit of its influence, and Palm Beach Atlantic University shall stand as a witness
for Jesus Christ, expressed directly through its administration, faculty, staff, and
students.
To assure the perpetuation of these basic concepts of its founders, it is resolved
that all those who become associated with Palm Beach Atlantic University as trustees,
officers, members of the faculty, or of the staff, must believe in, and affirm in
principle and practice, the divine inspiration of the Bible, both the Old and New
Testaments; that man and woman were directly created by God; that Jesus Christ was
born of a virgin; that He is the Son of God, our Lord and Savior; that He died for
the sins of all and thereafter arose from the grave; that by repentance and the acceptance
of and belief in Him, by the grace of God, the individual is saved from eternal damnation
and receives eternal life in the presence of God; and it is further resolved that
the ultimate teachings in this University shall always be consistent with, and not
contrary to, these principles.
In addition to subscribing to these biblical beliefs, the following standards of conduct
apply to employees of Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Conduct
Palm Beach Atlantic University employees not only educate and instruct students, they
also serve as examples, living models of the Christian life. Therefore, the University
holds certain expectations in regards to conduct in addition to subscribing to the
biblical beliefs articulated above. The following biblical standards of conduct apply
to employees of Palm Beach Atlantic University:
-
Employees are required to uphold biblical standards of conduct as interpreted by the
University in their behavior both on-campus and off-campus. Violations of these biblical
standards include, but not limited to, the following behaviors: unethical or dishonest
practices, use of profane language that includes references to God's name, pre- or
extra-marital sexual relationships, engaging in homosexual acts, and public intoxication.
- Employees are expected to be regularly involved in the life and worship opportunities
of a local church, thereby setting an example for students of their support of the
importance of church and the spiritual value of corporate worship.
- Employees are encouraged to attend chapel regularly; for faculty, this is defined
as at least six chapels per semester.
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Employees are prohibited from the use or sale of illicit or illegal drugs. The campus
is tobacco-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free. Employees are expected to uphold these
standards while on campus.
- Intentionally accessing or distributing pornographic materials or engaging in conduct
considered obscene is a violation of the University's Standard of Conduct.
Violations of these Community Values may result in disciplinary action up to and including
termination of employment.
Accreditation
Click here to view information on Palm Beach Atlantic University’s accreditation.
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Diversity Statement
Worship, Workship and Wordship—A Christ-First Culture
At Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), we believe that all people are made in the
imago Dei— the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This reality gives every human being intrinsic
value and also compels us to treat each person with dignity, respect, kindness, understanding,
and an eagerness to see them know God and fulfill their God‐given purposes. Our motto
is “enlightening minds, enriching souls, and extending hands.” This is beautifully
lived out through the combined practices of Worship—the practice of honoring God with
who we are and everything that we do, Workship—a distinctive community service program
that responds to human needs with Christ‐like action in the community and the world,
and Wordship—cultivating the practice of using our words wisely to edify others, including
those with whom we may disagree, as a form of worship. The imago Dei also undergirds our view of ethics and morality. That we are made in the image of
God makes us eager to obey God and to live our lives according to His commands. This
is especially relevant in matters of diversity, equality and inclusion.
Diversity
PBA is committed to loving and respecting all people, as well as celebrating the divine
tapestry of our diverse ethnic, racial, cultural, socio‐economic, and national backgrounds,
because Christ‐exalting diversity celebrates the fact that we are all fearfully and
wonderfully made in His image (Psalm 139:14; Acts 17:26). We strive to emulate the
model of God’s throne room in which human beings from every ethnicity, language, and
nation gather before their Creator (Matthew 28:19‐20; Revelation 7:9‐10). Therefore,
no form of racism, racial supremacy, ableism, or ethnic bigotry will be tolerated
at Palm Beach Atlantic University. We strive to create a Christian climate on campus
in which all are respected, all are equal, and all are valued as we love God and others
(James 2:1‐5; Matthew 22: 37-40; Romans 15:5-7). We are committed to eliminating barriers
so that people of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives flourish.
Any PBA community member who becomes aware of activities, comments, or behavior inconsistent
with this Diversity Statement, is encouraged to report the incident immediately to
the appropriate office (for students: Student Accountability, Residence Life or Campus
Safety; for faculty/staff: respective Dean of School or Human Resources) for investigation.
The University also desires to provide support to anyone who may have experienced
such a violation. Such individuals are encouraged to seek out opportunities for confidential
discussion and help through the Office of Health and Wellness/University Counseling
Center or the Campus Pastor.
Statement adopted by the PBA Board of Trustees, April 2021
Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Kingdom Approach to Culture, Sexuality, Sanctity
of Life, and Compassion
Worship, Workship, and Wordship—A Christ-First Culture
At Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), we believe that all people are made in the
imago Dei— the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This reality gives every human being intrinsic
value and also compels us to treat each person with dignity, respect, kindness, understanding,
love, and an eagerness to see them know God and fulfill their God‐given purposes.
Our motto is “enlightening minds, enriching souls, and extending hands”. This is beautifully
lived out through the combined practices of Worship—the practice of honoring God with
who we are and everything that we do, Workship—a distinctive community service program
that responds to human needs with Christ‐like action in the community and the world,
and Wordship—cultivating the practice of using our words wisely to edify others, including
those with whom we may disagree, as a form of worship. The imago Dei also undergirds our view of ethics and morality. That we are made in the image of
God makes us eager to obey God and to live our lives according to His commands.
Our View of Human Sexuality
Palm Beach Atlantic University affirms the biblical understanding of personhood, sexuality,
gender, and Christian marriage. We believe that Christian marriage is between a man
and a woman. Sex is a wonderful, God‐given gift explicitly intended for the marital
relationship between a biological male and female (1 Corinthians 7:2-5) and gender
follows biology. The physical and emotional intimacy of sex is designed beautifully
and specifically to unite a couple living in a loving marital, lifelong commitment
to each other (Genesis 2:24‐25; Matthew 19:5‐6). In Scripture, we learn God’s creational
design and intent for marriage involves three chief goods: (1) a permanent bond and
covenant learned by a lifelong commitment (Genesis 2:24-35; Matthew 19:5-6), (2) procreation
and the gift of children (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3), (3) and marriage as a living
sign of the gospel – Christ’s love for his bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation
19:7-9). The covenant of marriage between a man and woman is a blessing from God and
uniquely expresses these gifts. Sexual relations outside of marriage are strictly
forbidden (Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27‐28; 1 Corinthians 7:6-11, 25-35).
Likewise, the vocation of celibacy is a gift which truly expresses male and female
identities in a unique and complementary way. Celibacy is not mere inactivity, rather
it is active faithfulness to God (1 Corinthians 7:6-35). Marriage and celibacy are
both in God’s design.
Sexual immorality, including fornication, adultery, and homosexual behavior, is prohibited
in Scripture (Romans 1:26‐28; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Matthew 5:28) because our bodies
are “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:13‐20). In addition, all use or
involvement with pornographic materials is sinful and forbidden at PBA, as are all
forms of sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment (1 Corinthians 6:9‐10; 1 Thessalonians
4:6; 1 Timothy 1:9‐10). PBA expects that their students, faculty, and staff will neither
engage in nor promote views of sexuality or gender expression that contradicts biblical
standards (Romans 1:21‐27; 1 Corinthians 6:9‐10; Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31). PBA
also expects that our students, faculty, and staff will extend compassion and sensitivity
to all since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We
know that redemption and forgiveness are available for all sins (Ephesians 1:7). We
are committed to supporting and learning from one another in grace and truth, respecting
each other while also honoring God’s design for sexuality and marriage. (1 Timothy
1:9).
Our View of the Sanctity of Life
PBA’s devotion to the sanctity of human life is informed by the same distinctives
that shape all of its other commitments: love for God, love for each other, the example
of Jesus, and love of biblical truth. This leads us to the understanding that life
begins at conception and is precious to God from the moment of conception (Psalm 71:6;
139:13‐15; Luke 1:15) to our last breath on earth. All human beings are fearfully
and wonderfully made in God’s image (Psalm 139:14). Unborn children, like others of
the most vulnerable of our society, deserve our best efforts to protect them from
conception to birth. We support those who sacrifice much to carry their unborn baby
to term and seek to be an encouragement to them.
Students with questions regarding these issues are encouraged to seek out opportunities
for confidential discussion and support through the Office of Health and Wellness/University
Counseling Center, or the Campus Pastor. Students who struggle with any issues that
are not consistent with the policies in the student handbook are encouraged to ask
for support and help under the Amnesty Policy via the Residence Life & Student Accountability
Office, Office of Health and Wellness/University Counseling Center, or the Campus
Pastor (Navigator).
Our faculty and staff consider it an honor and a privilege to walk alongside our students
as they navigate through life.
Statement adopted by the PBA Board of Trustees, April 2021